372 THE FAR EAST. 



mercial outlet for Russia in the Pacific," he would 

 " welcome such a result as a distinct advance in this 

 far-distant region." ^ Russian statesmen were naturally 

 astounded at so unexpected an invitation ; and having 

 been given an inch, they were not slow to take the 

 proverbial ell. In December 1897 the Russian fleet 

 received permission to winter at Port Arthur, the im- 

 portance of which move seems to have been fully appre- 

 ciated by the British Minister at Peking, for on being 

 consulted by the British Government as to what they 

 should demand from China in return for the advance of 

 a British loan, he promptly replied, the opening of 

 Talienwan as a treaty port. But Russia was pursuing 

 a determined and definite policy, and unconditionally 

 opposed such a step. No doubt Russian statesmen 

 saw in England's demand for the opening of Talienwan 

 a distinct breach of faith when viewed in the light of 

 the unfortunate declaration of 1896; and it is difficult 

 to see under the circumstances any flaw in the Russian 

 Ambassador's statement to Lord Salisbury, " that it 

 was generally admitted that Russia might claim a com- 

 mercial de'bouche upon the open sea, and in order to 

 enjoy that advantage fully she ought to be at liberty to 

 make such arrangements with China as she could obtain 

 with respect to the commercial regime which was to 

 prevail there." ^ Since British statesmen had declared 

 that the Anglo-Russian agreement of 1886 concerning 

 Korea was still binding, what other port but Talien- 

 wan could she secure as the offered " commercial out- 

 let " ? Needless to say Talienwan remained closed. 



But this decline of British influence at Peking before 

 the increased prestige of Russia was not the only humili- 

 ation that overtook Great Britain in the gloomy days 



1 Mr Balfour at Bristol, February 3, 1896. 

 '^ January 19, 1898. 



