New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-05
RESSI1,S OPPORTUNITY.

The more closely the situation in Asia is
examined the less surprising it appears that
Russia refuses to join the European league
against China. What, she may sensibly ask, has
she to do in that or any other cooperative
galere? To a comfortable little war of her
own. OPPORTUNITY planned and conducted for
her exclusive benefit, she might not be averse !;
but to participate in coalition, and especially
one in which England acts as controlling
force, is not in the line of business which she
finds entertaining or profitable. Now, II ever
is her opportunity to assume the role OF con-
fidential guide, philosopher and friend. Now
is the moment for demonstrating the strictly
honorable intentions of the Mscovite Goblin and
| the hollow hypocrisy of the Anglo-SaxOn Short.
Nothing can be clearer than that the interests
of Russia, at this crisis are in no sense akin to
those of her great rival in the East She Is
under no necessity Of extending her Asiatfc
trade having already magnificent monopoly
| in the heart of the continent; whereas Eng
land. at the van of the allied organization, is
| burning to utilize the mob pretext and force
an entrance to new territory for the sale of her
surplus manufactures. The designs of the one
Power are selfshly political Those OF the
other are sordidly commercial.
| If Russia had the Chinese Government alone
TO deal with, it is quite possible she would iong
ago have secured that precious port on the
Pacific the acquisition Of which is one OF her
dearest longings The most active and per-
sistent opposition to this scheme comes from
| another quarter Ever since England appro-
priated a convenient harbor in the waters of
! Asia she has labored diligently to prevent her
traditional enemy in the East from enjoying a
similar advantage. In the pursuit Of this OBJ
| iect she has not confined herself to the silent
channels of diplomatic intrigue, but has shown
herself ready to strike the hardest kind Of
blows. should occasion for blows arise. When
Russia rashy attempted thirty years ago, to
seize the island of Tsu, which commands the
southern outlet of the Japan Sea, her opera
tions were brought to a summary end by the
threatening attitude Of powerful British fleet,
| and for long time thereafter all her move
ments in that region were kept under the closest
naval espionage. Admiral Keppel made sew
era cruises of observation to the Siberian forth
fcations and was SO impressed by what he dis
covered that he recommended the immediate
occupation of Saghan as a barrier to the egreis
of Russian vessels from the Japan Sea. The
| British envoy at Yedo sent home a series of
reports-afterward printed in a secret blut-
book, which are carefully withheld from publ
cation, and has not even been submitted 30
xpatiating upon the enormoys
preparations in progress at Vladivostock and
Possiets, and drawing the most alarming con-
clusons sherefrom. TO what extent his Gov
ernment was influenced by these representations
we can only guess. The question of occupyin e
Saghalin was suddenly settled by Russia's all
nexation of the island and the establishment of
garrison at its southern extremity. No Oh
structon to the passage of ships was thence
forward practicable, but the needs Of Russia
we're only partially satisfied. She was still
bloekaded by ice during considerable portion
Of each year, and her anxiety to procure
permanently accessible station was increased by