The herald., 1894-10-23
THE FAR EAST CHESSB BOARD.

The demise of the ameer Of Afghan
istan. the approaching dissolution Of
the czar of all the Russias and the con-
spicuous tendency of the European
powers to interfere with the triumphal
march OF the mikado's army to the seat
of Monaghan government. portend a
shifting of the scenes on the stage OF
eastern diplomatic and military activ-
ity. 1t begins to look as though the
western shores of the north Pacific were
to mark the focusing point OF European
interest instead OF those washed by the
Bosphorus, and thst the politically
sick man. OF the future will be the
king of Corea rather than the sultan of
Turkey. In the aspect OF politics, Corea
occupies a similar position in Asia to
that of Turkey in Europe. and her re-
lation to the maintenance OF the balance
of power between the great powers is
becoming the same. At present she is
the bone of contention over which China
and Japan are swapping and snarling.
An absolute victory of one empire over
the other would mean the practical sub
iugation OF Corea. The latter might
retain an apparent autonomy, but prac-
tically her material interests and for
eign relations would be governed by the
victor in the present contest. 1t is just
here that the interest of the European
powers enters the controversy. The
query with them is which one OF their
own set lie to get the bone from the
country that happens to bear it away.
Russia long has sought for territorial
extension westward to the Pacific and
southwark to India. She has in many
ways exhibited her friendlinssa for
Japan, and throughout the existing con-
test has cheered the island kingdom
with her moral sympathy. if not sub
rosa with something more substantial.
She has looked hungrily at Corea long,
long time, and again and again she has
infringed upon Chinese territory con-
tguous to Siberia. attempting each
time to place the boundary line of the
latter country little farther south.
Who can foretel the result to Japan in
he vent of her arms being victorious?
May not the fruits of her victory but
serve to awaken a ravenous appetite for
more of the earth which characterizss
her neighbor, and supposed friend, Rus.
sia? That the value of her success may
measure the probabilities of her own
subsequent absorption or subordination
by Russia? In any contest with Russia.
whether it be in the chamber OF diplo-
macy or on the field of battle, Japan
would be only as babe in the arms of
a giant. On the other hand England,
the traditional enemy OF Russia, is no.
toriously friendly to China. She not
only has large commercial and financial
interests in the Flowery kingdom, which
certainly would not be enhanced by the
defeat OF that country in war, but she
is much concerned in the victory OF a
country so intimately identified
with her old-time enemy as Ja-
pan is with Russia. 1t is not
probable that she has any aspiration for
additional territorial acquisition in
Asia, but only desires things to remain
as they are, so that what cha possesses
and controls may DO safe. Russia is un-
comfortably close to her Asiatic possess
sions now. The combination OF the
ameer's death and Japanese success
might make the czar next door neigh
Dor. For generations Aighanistsn has
stood like wall across Russia's south
ern tramp to India. England has exer-
cised a virtual proteotorate over the
former, maintaining diplomatic repre-
sentative at Cabul. who acts in an ad-
visory capacity to the ameer, and stand.
ing prepared ct all times to sustain with
her arms that rulers authority. The
British domination has been very dis
tasteful to the natives, and the support
OF this outpost to her Indian posses.
aions has cost England many lives and
deal of money. The agents of The
Russian government have utilized this
popular discomfort to Russia's advan-
tage, and have fomented and aided
many OF the tribal revolts in the hope Of
weakening Britain's hold. II is said
| that the ameer's sncceasor is very
friendly to England. but the excitement
consequent upon the death of one and
the succession of another ruler, urged
on and stimulated by the tireless ennis
saries OF Russia. may fan the now dor
mant fires of discomfort into the wild
flame OF rebellion.
The possible break in Afgdanistan's
present quietude. and the prospective
extension OF Russian power to the Pa
citic through the agency OF Japanese
victory is sufficient to disturb England't
equanimity and inapirs her to urge
assisted by her European allies, an in
reference on the part OF the great
powers with the Asiatic hostilities. This
suggested intermeddling by other ma
tons, with something that is plainly
none Of their business. is excused or
the score OF humanity" To students
Of European and Oriental politics it il