The morning call., 1893-07-23
MORE COMPLICATIONS IN ASIA.

1t is evident that the correspondents OF
the London papers have given the rein 10
their fancy in depicting the attltuae OF 'he
European courts in reference to siam.
But their stories are probably founded on
a basis OF fact. 1t can readily be believed
that England resents the advance OF france
into the Shan states, which She IS quietly
adding to her Burman empire, and there is
nothing incredible in the story that sne is
urging China to send feet to Bangkok or
in the counter story that Ii Hung Chang
responded to the advice in the words OF
the French at Fontenoy, "Gent!emen OF
the Guard, fire first" Everything beyond
this is probably conjecture.
What imparts Importance to these IN
cidents is the fact that they seem to tore-
shadow a combination of the Asiatic powers
against European encroachment. lnat
eucruachment has now reached a point
which menaces the existence or all the H.
dependent nations in Asia. Russia presses
on Northen China. and when the SIBERIAN
railroad is finished will be able to capture
Pekiug in the first month OF a campaign
unless China connects the capital with the
valley of the Yang-tse by rail. On the
south the French videttes at Langson are
within sight of the villages OF Quang-se,
and ii the French get possession of
the Mississippi of Siam, they can
establish base on the upper Mekong
which will enable them to knock
with no uncertain sound at the back door
of China in Yunnan. simultaneously
England claims that her recent annex
tons in Upper Burmah have brought her
so close to China that boundary commits
sion is necessary to mark where BRITISH
territory ends and Chinese territory be-
gins; while at the other extremity OF
HindOstan nothing but range OF noun
tains separates the English cantonments
at Pamir from the Russian outpOsts from
Samarcand. If the French make good
their conquest of Siam China will be en-
circled by a triple chain in which it can
hardly help being stifled. 1t will be an
other case of sick man upon whose es-
tate the maritime powers of Europe will
have TO administer.
There are two weak spots IN the plot
if plot there be. They both affect Eng
land. That Great Britain can continue
forever to dominate $50, ,OOO, 600 people in
India, whom 1t is taking pans to educate
and supply with a system of internal
communication, can hardly be admitted.
Sooner or later new "muliny" will break
cut, and the danger to the English will be
greater in propOrt on to the extent OF the
territory they have annexed and 10 the
number Of tribes they have inspired with
undying hatred. The other danger spot is
in Egypt. That country, which Is one OF
the most fertile in the world. and which
contains 100000 people, is dominated by
an English army 300 strong. The English
are exrcraied by the natives. but from the
b. ginning of history Eg, pit has alwa>s
rern conquered by every marauder who
has attacked it. Lord w nlseley had not
he least difficulty in scattering Ara0IS
army with a much inferior force. Slill,
this again is situation which cannot be
everlasting. The present khedive has
repeatedly required the English to evac-
uate his country. The recent dispatch OF
English men-of-war to Alexandria shows
that the British Government feels some
anxiety touching coming events.
In the old days when some armies were
we'll armed, we'll disciplined and well led.
while others were not. it was safe betting
that numbers might not count in war.
But now all armies are organized on the
same rules, and are generally armed with
the same weapons; there is no reason why
a great general should be more likely to
appear in any one country than in any
other. Hence. If com bination Of Asiatic
nations from the Indus to the Amoor
should happen to be formed to resist subju-
CATION by Europeans. the fact that the
nmbination would EN- brace something like
700 000.0 people. or nearly one-half the
popula ton of the globe. would probably
prove factor in the case OF general
Europ pean-Asiatic war; 1t would require
the genius of Ghengis Khan to handle
such an operation. But all the great men
Of the world have not been born.