New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-05
THE NEWS OF EUROPE.
VIEWS OF THE EASTERN WAR.
ENGLISH SYMPATHY ON THE SIDE OF
THE CHINESE
cARNors MURDERER-rHE CHAMBER PRoRoGUrD
M sTAMBULOFF AND PRINCE FERDINAND
TRIBUTES TO SIR WILLIAM HARCoURT-
RUMoRs OF PLOTS AGAINST LORD
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES IN
PARLIAMENT


PARLIAMENT.
10y CABLE TO THE rRIBUxEl
(Copyrioht: 1891: BY The Tribune Ass0ciatonJ
London Aug At is not here thought neceS
sary to entertain or to express any very strong
opinion on the merits of the dispute between
China and Japan. Looked at from the European
point of view. the quarrel turns on matters which
need not have led to war, and will not much af-
feet the course of events. The causes obscure
enough in themselves soon lost sight Of The
conditions and probable consequences OF tho
struggle remain profoundly interesting.
English opinion was naturally enough on the
side Of China before the japanese sank the Kow-
Shing with an English captain on board and the
English flag flying. 1t is doubtful whether the
japanese commander acted within or beyond his
rights in attacking that transport. 1t Is not
doubted that he acted with what according to
Western notions Is barbarty He acted stupidity,
also for he gave England a grievance ana
strengthened English feeling for China. The
Japanese Government it, and without walt
ing to be asked, offered full reparation should II
prove that their officer was in the wrong. The
facts are not yet known
Hardly any facts are known. The kilograms
are confused and conflicting 1t was for some
days uncertain whether war had been declared.
That Japan should have declared 1t rather than
China only proves that the japanese, more un-
der European influence, move more quickly than
the Chinese. On the face Of 1t, China is the
offended power Corea is vassal state. Tne
suzeranty OF China is Of old date. She had at
any rate she claimed in virtue OF that relation.
the right to send troops to Corea In support OK
the Kings authority. 1t is difficult to see on
what Japan bases her claim to send troops But
send them she did Oriental morality in such
ic I'm
Japan at any rate, looks all through like the
aggressor. The Emperor Of China makes out the
better case and his manifesto though In form an
Imperial edict TO his people. Is clearly ad-
dressed also TO the outside world The Grand
Council which speaks in the Emperors name, is
composed Of able men, some Of whom know some.
thing OF Europe and America. The young En-
peror-he is only twentythree-is In their hands.
and they and ne are good deal IN the nahds III
Ii Hung Chang, the great Niceroy wnom GenerA
Grant compared to Prince Bismarck The STORY
of his disgrace is not confirmed is 1t consist
emf with the imperial decree OF this week putting
all the military authorities under his command
Rut whichever has the better case Japan 10
believed to have the better army and navy es-
pecially navy. II 1t Is to be naval war; the
chances may be In her favor. Military experts
are debating whether China can send troops
overland. The country is difficult. Supplies for
great force might take time to collect They
forget that to China time is nothing. Her re-
sources are almost inexhaustible. II the Euro
pean Powers stand aside, and II there be no in
ternal troubles China ought In the long run 70
win
The European Power most concerned is. OF
course England China is her best friend in the
East She has long had and still maintains great
interests and great influence She will protect
her interests She may not side openly with
China but there is much virtue In a benevolent
neutrality Russia may move. may not. II
she does II will be against China. So of France,
though French interests are but indirectly anect-
ed She has however. a score to pay off on ac-
count OF Tonquin. and also Of Siam, and at any
moment the boulevard journals OF Paris may
start cry that French honor is at stake
We are not informed here whether Washington
is moving or whether the eminent Judge Gresn-
am IS aware that America has large interests
in the East and ought TO have much larger. We
have flung away more than one good opportunity
OF making friends with China. and OF extending
American trade with power which ought 10 be
one Of the best customers in the world We have
left almost everything 10 England Possibly
enough another opportunity IS now opening. AZ
any rate. IL can do no harm II our State Depart
ment at Washington should Keep close watcn
on the progress of this struggle
The conviction and sentence to death OF the
assassin of President Carnot were expected. Yet
70 the last there was some doubt whether the
Lyons Jury might rot find eXtenuating crcum-
stances The trial has brought out little not be-
fore known nor would the suppressed declaration
OF Caserio have enlightened us. He will be exc
cuted. The Socialist organ In England. which
serves as left wing to the Anarchist army. thinks
this good. occasion to argue against capital
punishment to treat the struggle between socie-
ty and a pack Of wild beasts as vendetta ana
war Of revenge on the part or society, ana 10
draw up a long catalogue OF offences by Govern
ments In extenuation Of Anarchist crimes That
Journal nevertheless knows. or might Know that
I'm France the execution OF Caserio Is expected TO
nrovoke an attempt on NJ Casimir-Periers life.
The nrorogation of the French Chamber has
produced in France something of that sense cs
relief which In America sometimes attends the
adjournment OF Congress. The Chamber has
done good things. notably in conjunction with the
Senate when the two in convention elected NJ
Casimir- Perier President OF the French Republic,
and notably when 1t passed the bill against
Anarchsm and Anarchists, which is It's most inn
portant legislative achievement 1t has. more
over though unstable and sometimes intractable.
kept In office the Ministry OF VI. Casimr-Periers
choice and it has every clear issue given great
majorlties against the Socialists. Nevertheless.
the country had come to regard this body, justly
enough as a centre Of Socialistic propaganda. The
Socialist minority Is active. and contains one ex-
tremely able speaker, NJ. Jaures, who cannot be
ignored.
The result is that the tribune OF the Chamber
has become on manv occasions Socas6ic pulpit.
The Socialist sermons preached elsewhere would
have had comparatively little effect. The Cham
Der. which listens TO them and tolerates them.
lends them some OF its authority. 1t could not
refuse to listen. But the license necessarily
granted in deliberstive assembly to its Socialist
members is demoralizng to public opinion which
In France is in a fluid state. as II Is here. Hence