The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-11-08
EUROPEAN INTERVENTION IN
THE EAST.

1t was pretty well known some
time ago that Great Britain would, I
if possible, move other European
powers for intervention in the East
The latest news tends to confirm
this view. Great Britain has made
overtures to the Powers and also to
China and Japan for a basis OF
negotiations for peace. Great
Britain is looking after her own
interests. Her commerce is suffer
ing in China, and only to less
extent in Japan. Her interests are
larger in these countries than those
of any other European Power.
Hongkong is substantially an Eng !
Ilish city in China. Yokohama is
hardly less an English city III
Japan. Great Britain has mani
| tested much concern for the fate OF
China. She has gained, in lin
tied way, commercial control OF
that country. The trade monopo-
lies that have been established have
already been greatly disturbed by
the war.
China now appears to be buffer
country for both the Russian and
British Empire. Heretofore the
chief concern of the latter power
has been that Russia would make
encroachment on China that would
prejudice the interests of British
India. The railroad across Siberia
to the Pacific, and the avowed in
tention to secure a great naval port
far enough south of Nladivistock to
secure immunity from ice obstruc-
ton in the winter season, have
been matters of grave concern to
Great Britain. When, therefore,
new power outside of Russia as
sumed an aggressive attitude to-
ward China, the real center Of
interest was changed. This inter
est becomes the more intense when
Japan threatens to march to Peking
and even to alter the map of China
{ by changing that Empire into
: several independent States. Now
this threat may never be executed;
but the fear that it may be, to the
extent of destroying the present
/ balance of power" is what dis
turbes the peace of mind of Great
Britain to such an extent as to lead
to preliminary proposals for inter
! vention. Japan and China will not
y be left to settle the conflict in their
c own way.
II A majority of the European pow
ers at this time seem to be i'll accord
with Great Britain. But France is
. certainly an exception. If the de.
y duction of one Of the leading jour.
: nails of Paris can be taken as
lie authority. The chronic trouble ii
( Egypt is assinged as the chief rea
son Of French dissent. The British
~ do in some sense, hold Egypt a.
lie the gate Of Asia" Since the frs
Is occupation the strategical impor
e. lance Of that country has neve
20 been lessened. France has Ion!
been irritated that she is unable t
lift the hand of her powerful neigh
Dor from Egypt.
A conference of European Power
lie touching the Korean question
& might be announcement for Grea
:. Britain if the Egyptian question
- was brought in. 1t cannot b
IL assumed that any of the Powers ar
es seeking the interests of Japan ant
e. China. Each is seeking her own
u; In the lead are Great Britain, Rus
:. STA and France. If there is to b
>" any change in the map Of Asia
10 these nations will be at the front
RS Great Britain, which cares as littl
he for the real interests of China a
o. any other nation, has a real inter
SC est in preserving that Empir
" intact; consequently she is the frs
wv to call halt and to sound othe
IL European Powers for intervention
.., G J. R,,Jyst;,