Representation of the British People.
22.—Under such circumstances the British public cannot be otherwise than glad that Her Majesty the Queen is fitly represented at Peking by what is not unfrequently described in the vernacular as "The Great English Legation."
The consular service of Britain in China is also manned by some three-score officers, each one of whom is an accomplished Chinese scholar, a large majority having passed through the arduous Student Interpreter Course, which is ready to fill junior vacancies, as they occur, with young men evidently as well selected as they are carefully trained.
Diplomatic and Consular Assistance to British Trades.
23.—At the same time it would be idle to deny that, in spite of recent improvements, British traders generally complain in China, as elsewhere, of the lack of diplomatic and consular assistance in the advancement of English trade, and the apparently little official interest shown therein.
The French have a like grievance, and the work of German representatives for their nationals is often cited with envy. It is said, though probably with exaggerated truth, that German Ministers and Consuls are unflagging in their efforts to advance German commercial interests, to show that German traders have government recognition and approval, and that the employment of Germans, instead of English or French, is much appreciated by the Emperor William.
It is possible that the out-of-date view that diplomatic and consular officers are purely political agents may be excessively retained in some instances, and that the assistance rendered by Her Majesty's Consuls to British trade might advantageously receive more encouragement and departmental recognition.
There can be no doubt, however, of the difficulty which would ensue by consular espousal of the interests of a particular firm to the inevitable prejudice of a rival house.
Nor is the prestige small or unimportant which Her Majesty's service derives from the fact that any expressions of opinion, or any advice tendered, are known to be wholly free from any interested motives.