Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-04-07
Scheme to Convert Finland into Rus
sian Province-China Uneasy.
Ths Part Lord Randolph Churchill will Play
in the Fall OF the TOries-GladstOne
Nearing Victory.
Copyrighted by the United Press.)

IN the Danu Dlan provinces anu Oh tuo
Dardanelles TO the neglect of the en-
croachments of that vast and restless
power in other directions, and Russia is
feared by Sweden not less than by Tur-
key, and Sweden looks to England just
as the sultan does for protection from the
grasp of the Muscovite despot. The
Scandinavians are not united in feeling
for reasons apparent to students of their
history. Between Russia and Denmark
there has for ages existed strong sympa-
thy, while Russia and Denmark regard
Sweden both with. uufriendly and the
former
WITH COyETOUs EYES.
The outstanding of the Firms there
fore means one more step in Rus
sla's advance toward an attack
upon Sweden and Norway. Fin
land was part of Sweden for centuries.
Russia first annexed one half, and in
1903 seized the other half, but not until
after an heroic struggle which is COM
memOrated in the grandest Scandinavian
epics Of this age. The eyes OF Europe
were bent upon Napoleon, otherwise the
d
held place in history with the throttling
of freedom in Poland. Some of the in
cidents, as when one Finnish soldier held
a narrow bridge for many minutes
against a large force of Russians, falling
Just as the Swedish army came up to the
post which his valoT had saved for them,
compare with nerviest achievements on
record. A people of this kind will not
yield their liberty without a struggle.
The western shore of Finland is thickly
settled by the Swedish race, and most of
these will either fight or emigrate. As
stated in a previous dispatch many thou
sands have already emigrated.
CHINESE APPRENTICESHIP.
From Shanghai comes the statement
that the Chinese are strengthening them
selves on their northern frontier against
apprehended attacks by the Russians.
China for several years has been increas-
ing her military force in the provinces
adjoining AmOOT and stout forts have
been erected at points most likely TO be
threatened by Russian invasion. China
could throw about 800, 900 of the best
troops of the empire into immediate ac-
ton in event of war with Russia, while
the population to be drawn upon for re-
No word comes from St. Petersburg as
to whether there is ground for the Chi
nese fears, but this silence indicates
nothing. Russia is not in the habit of
publishing to the world either her foreign
or domestic policy, besides the cZars
have usually allowed, rather than per-
mitted, their generals 10 undertake
movements that meant or led TO war,
and especially has this been the case
in Asia where vast tracts have been
absorbed and extensive hostilities car
ried on at various times within this
century without
ANY DECLARATION OF WAR
against anybody. The enemies, how
ever, have been half savage tribes and
khans with little authority beyond their.
mud built towers. Dealing with China
would be different matter, for the Chi
nese army is vastly improved in discI-
pline and equipment since the affair
with France few years ago. Even in
making war upon China it would be en-
tirely in accord with the duplicity that
characterizes the cabinet of the car to
begin hostilities through some COM
mander whose course, if unsuccessful,
might be repudiated. The dispatches
announcing Chinese military movements
in the direction of the northern frontier
relate nothing new beyond simply con-
f1rmation Of the reports that China is
keeping a vigilaut guardianship over
the provinces in which more than year
ago she placed the flower of her army.
THE UNKNOWN QUANTITY.
Although a dead set has been made
against Lord Randolph Churchill ,>by a
--.so- oe 49, Cop.or,-o +;rs ,,or+ ;+Ss
easy to exaggerate his unpopularity with
the Conservative members of the house
of commons AS a matter of fact, his
recent speech against the government
and his letter yesterday on the land pur-
chase bill have not lost him single
friend, with the exception of Mr.. Jen-
niEgs, and the latter's change of heart
was due less to genuine Gisapproval at
Lord Randolph's action than to the pres
sure brought to bear upon him by the
Stockport Conservatives. Lord Ran
dolph s chief enemies are the whipped
and official elements generally. There is
nc doubt that in these quarters the feel
ing against him is very bitter, but among
the Conservative private members ghere
are not few who have still a lingering
belief in their old leader, which none of
his vagaries viii shake, and who think
that he was right in his speech, although
the party screw was far too severe to en-
able them TO give expression to their
views. The remorseless way in which
the party screw was applied even to
members who were only suspected Of
wavering had, indeed, direct effect IN
advancing the
MAJORITY AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
in the division on the question of volun-
tary equipment. These members now
state that should Randolph Churchill
find occasion to attack the government
after the Easter recess they will support
him, even at the risk Of losing their |
seats AS to Lord Randolph 3 pers onal |
game, 1t is significant that the official
Conservatives assert angrily that he has |
made a new departure in view OF gen.
eral election and that it is consequently
absolutely necessary, in the interest Of |
the party, that he should cease to~be l
recognized as member of it before the |
general election takes place. IL dissolu- |
ton was so far off as some people suppose |