New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-24
RUSSIA IN THE EAST.
HER PERSISTENT EFFORTS TO SECURE
COPE. AND TO OBTAIN \ PACIFIC PORT.
Ticntsin, China, November q

nrrnlH
-. unsatisfactory relations existing between
foroirn Powers and China, is the problem of the
go f tho Corcan Kingdom. This concerns
folly the interests of Great Britain, Russia
china Japan and to IA small extent, Germany
The oucstion of the future of the Corcan peninsula
has been weighty one since lS4S-'j0, when Rus
sia began 10 annex entire provinces of the Chinese
Empirc 10 her Siberian dominions. With each
Furopean war with China, Russia has watched
her opportunity and stretched her Siberian
boundaries southwark and eastward until now
she is only separated from Corea by the T,imen
River.
BY the Treaty of Aigun in 1853. Count Mural
vcf, the Russian Ambassador, succeeded in rccti-
fying" the eastern line of the Cars domain by
demanding and obtaining that vast and fertile
territory lying south of the AMOR River. between
the Gulf of Tartary and the River Usuri. This
very desirable slice of Asia is rich in gold and
silver, coal, copper cotton. rice tobacco and silk.
With characteristic energy and enterprise, the
Russian Government encouraged emigration,
bought and placed steamers upon all the newly
ACQUIRED navigablc waters, laid out the ports of
Vladvostock and Possict and connected them
with cables overland to St Petersburg, and under
water to Nagasai She established government
and enforced obedience from the sem-civiliz"d
tribes and began firmly the beginning Of her now
powerful possessions in the far East The capital of
the new territory was established at NladivOStock,
which city was strongly fortified and has become
the military and naval stronghold of her Pacific
POSSESSIONS This gigantic work undertaken
by Admiral Popoff, the inventor of the famous
circular iron-clad vessels and well has it
been carried out, So that to-day Russia occupies
q commanding position in Eastern affairs.
The only serious drawback to her power in tho
East is the absence of al-the year-opcn seaport
for her fleets to operate from. Nladivostock, her
most southern port is frozen up the entire winter
season and in case of war there would be during
this season no place in which her war-vesscS could
reit and repair the injuries and losses inflicted in
hostile combat Russia has recognized this dis
advantage and has been laboring for some years
TO counteract it, Corea just the border, offers
many deep and commodous harbors which are free
from ice the entire year: and il is upon these
that she has set her eyes. With the growing
Russian commerce in the Pacific the acquisition
of this open naval depot or stronghold becomes an
imperative necessity.
Once in 1876 she made an attempt 10 seize
portion of the Corean dominions. but the pressure
brought against her great that her troops
were temporarily withdrawn. similar fate met
an attempted annexation of the large island OF
Tsushima now garriSoned by the japanese Gov.
eminent. In short. the movements OF Russia on
the Pacific coast have been so jealousy watcher
by Great Britain, China and Japan that she has
had TO proceed slowly and with caution. But her
advance has not been any the less sure. She has
through her agents and diplomats throughout
Corca almost completely undermined the entire
Kingdom and has secured Its peoplc ready for the
time when she shall see fit to annex the peninsula
to her Siberian dominion, and thus wipe out 1or-
ever the ancient Kingdom of Corea from the face
Of the globe.
While England checks Russian designs IN the
Mediterranean and in Europe, her desire Is great
ard her absolute need greater to have TINS deehce
less peninsula on her eastern border. The very
existence Of her power, her influence, and hcr
commerce in the Pacific requires an open com
mcrciaI. and naval seaport on this coast. Corea
offers the only opportunity OF obtaining one, ana
have il she will 1t is only question OF time
before this aim is achieved and with the seizure OF
one post will follow the annexation OF the Ming
dom. and its disappearance from among the Govern
ments of Asia.
Great Britain has watched with Jealous eyes
every move made by Russia. and las tired every
means 10 thwart and TO lessen her growing IN
hucnce She has even gone 10 the extent VI
entering into an alliance with emma 10 check al
further advance of their common enemy. WIN
rho opening of Russian commerce ana the Placing
Of Russian vessels in the trade OF the racine
England sees a severe blow struck at her trade
with this part of the elobe-a business In when Shc
controls more than three fOurths She recognizes
,b,+ with no omen port Russia is at a great dis
advantage and at all hazards must nc KEPT III
This position. While in case Of war Russian men
of-war would be compelled TO limit their opera
lions TO the spring and summer months ana re-
t,eat 70 Vladivostock before being frozen out.
Fncland could have her naval stations at Hong
Kong Singapore and all of the possessions In Inda
and Australia as a basis Of supplies IN whlch 10
reft any damages incident to active scrVice-a
most inestimable advantage, and one shc must
retain at all hazards. To do this she hlus' sce
that Russia stands aoof from Corca, ana IN ofuer
10 effect this object, she Is enlistIng 'hiha ana
Japan in the crusade against all further knSsiah
cncroachmcnt With her immense ilcct IN 'hese
waters. little can be done without her knowiedse
but the question then arises, If Russia persists III
her intention TO seize COrca, VIII shc us' 'ih
fleet and attempt 10 prevent it-thuS preclp'a'lns
an invasion of her Indian Umpire pS huS''"n
troops?
China has always regarded Colea as q Nassai anu
even now eXacts an annual tribute from hcr' 'n'
has become fully aroused concerning The raPi'
advance If Russia in the East and
OF her designs on Corca, ana Id" a'
accordingly strengthened her armies along the eh''
Siberian frontier. War with Russia she expects
at any day and is constantly preparing LOT It,
An attack upon Corea would, in the Chinese way
Of looking at it, be a declaration OF war asains'
China. and would be the signal of commence
mcnt OF hostilities along the entire boundary OF
China and Siberia To prepare for tins stare o'
affairs China has begun in the past year system
OF military roads and railways along the ifoh'lef
which will enable her 10 throw at snort ho'ice
any number Of her millions OF soldiers at any
threatened point for attack or defence. Chincse