Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-02
Fngland,s Coup de Main.

nrhcra would be no occasion loT s"Pi'e
.Ao,,,a q, nrove true that England has
decided upon a coup de main In conhec'ioh
vvI,h the settlement OF the trouble between
China and Japan. Such stroke wouio
=, this particular juncture be n double
play. and In line with her historic pohcy
.n6er similar conditions. Both nome anu
,ore,cn questions ere involved In any ae-
,ion she may take. There seems no DOUBT
that John Bull is not little riled at the
prominence the United States have as
sumed in respect of mediatins the To"oie'
and that this temper and other influences
have brought the British people up TO
the point Of sustaining, IL not In a quasi
way demanding, q decisive step on the
mart OF their government. A movement
to prevent Japan from carrying the war
into Southern China, and to bring England
20 the front in debating the terms OF
peace, would serve several important ends.
especially II accompanied by a show OF
force Besides protecting British inter
ests and bolstering UP British prestige IN
that quarter--and these are vital conside-
ment out Of n very awkward dilemma.
Rosebery has been enabled to keep in
the saddle so far. by reason OF the fact
that he has favored a vigorous foreign
policy. His position IL the anomalous
one OF being a peer whose followers are
in large part demanding that he abolish
his own privileges and revolutionize the
legislative system OF Great Britain. 1t Is
very apparent that he gives only half
hearted adherence TO the agitation to end
or mend the House of Lords. His policy
In regard to this question is very shadowy,
TO say the least. Indeed, all of his more
recent outgivings touching the govern
ments programme suggest that he Is
fighting for time and an opportunity to
divert public attention into some other
channel.
That Rosebery has concluded that this
opportunity would present itself in a
complication growing out Of the war In
the East Is not at all improbable. The
Conservatives seem determined to compel
him TO go to the country on the House
Of Lords issue, a resort which. despite
the boasts OF his party, would be exceed
ingly hazardous. Other premiers have
saved themselves by Just such tactics
as II IS rumored are now contemplated in
the East, and there seems no reason why
Rosebery should not, IL he plays his
hand with holiness and skill. rally 10
his support enough of the lingo element
to keep him In power and check the
effort to force the Peers question to
crisis.
Under these conditions Rosebery would
be relieved from the necessity OF en-
gaging in a contest which. 1t can hardly
be questioned, Is as contrary TO his taste
as to his judgment and. at the same
time, the upper-chamber agitation would
have time TO die out, and give place 10
other issues. OF course, In considering the
rumored coup de main, the question
naturally arises, What will Russia have
to say about It? This adds interest to
the subject, but 1t must be remembered
that England can interfere much more
safely In Southern than in Northern
China, seing that in the former division of
the empire she would not antagonize ma
terially Russia's territorial interest in the
far East. 1t stands to reason that all
the other powers Will be heard from when
England shall have fully developed
her intentions. but it Is, nevertheless.
pretty safe TO assume that the latter
looked well before she prepared to leap.
and that she will land Just where she
expects to.