Evening star., 1895-10-25
Effect of the Chinese Concessions to
Russia.
WOULD UPSET THE BALANCE OF POWER
Excited Comments by the London
Newspapers.
FOREIGN OFFICE ACTIVE

LONDON, October 25.-The dispatch from
Shanghai yesterday afternoon announcing
the departure of fleet of nineteen Russian
warships from Eladivosto for Chemulpo
and Fusan, Core 4, and the Times dispatch
from Hong Kong. announcing that Russia
has obtained the right to anchor her fleet
at Port Arthur and construct railroads on
the Liao-Tung peninsula (both of which
were cabled exclusively to the Associated
Press), have caused intense excitement in
official circles here as well as in those hav-
ing commercial relations with the far east.
These most important statements are
looked upon generally as being a sudden
reopeniEg in an unexpected quarter of the
far eastern question in its widest sense.
The Shanghai dispatch added that the
Japanese fleet in Formosan waters had
been recalled, that several British warships
had been ordered to Corea and that prepar-
ations for a struggle were visible on all
sides.
The Hong Kong cable message to the
Times caused that paper to remark edi-
toIially today:
Russia cannot possibly imagine that the
great powers will view with indifference
such destruction of the balance of power,
which is almost unparalleled in Its au-
dacity. Chinas option to purchase the rail-
ways is jest almost too cynical to find
place in any serious diplomatic transaction
Under the indicated conditions Mancnurla
would practically become Russian prov
ince, while Pekin would be within Russia's
gresp."
1t is admitted here that the situation
presented is so grave that should the news
prove true it would make war in which
several nations would take part more than
probable. 1t should be added that there is
every reason to believe that the story from
Hong Kong is authentic, and all sources of
information agree that the powers inter-
ested in the far east will find themselves
confronted with condition of seriousness
which cannot be overestimated.
british Intervention Called For.
The afternoon papers all publish long
ticles agreeing that British Intervention in
the far east is necessary
The St. James Gazette says: Even war
with Russia would be less disastrous than
to allow her, without blow, to get such a
grip upon China. She could throttle all the
ether powers and choke off their commerce.
Unless Russia and China give the neces-
sary assurances, it is a case for an ulti-
matum and perhaps the mcst serious step
of diplomacy since the Crinean war.
The impression is general in the official
world, and it is re-echoed by the press, that
neither America nor Germany can allow
the Pacific to become "a Franco-Russian
lake" as the Globe puts it, and 1t is gen.
orally thought that the diplomats will be
sufficiently strong to combine to resist Rus
sian aggression.
Inc Pall MAIL GdZette SuIlS up tHe START
ling Jews from the far east with the state
ment that Russia has annexed China,
and in the course Of long article on the
subject adds:
'If this tire atty Is to stand, roll up the
map of Asia
In conclusion, the Pail Mall Gazette urges
the reoccupation of Port Hamilton by the
British, ard the immediate Strengthening of
the British fleet in Chinese waters, lest
Japan lose her fleet at the first blow
Since this important news was circulated
the greatest activity has been displayed IN
the government offices here, particularly at
the foreign offices and at the admiralty,
and the coming and going of messengers
was continuous throughout the morning
and business hours of the afternoon.
The Topic in the Clubs.
At the different clubs "the war scare in
the east is eagerly discussed, the grave sit
nation of affairs in Venezuela having al
most completely dropped out of recollection
in the alarm of the moment. Nobody seems
10 doubt the report that by the recently
agreed upon Russo-China treaty, Russia has
obtained rights, to which the most favored
nation clause is not applicable, which may
cause great war.
The correspondent of the Times at Hong
Kong. who sent the sensational news, is
described by his newspaper as being in "close
beneath the surface of things" and II IS
therefore concluded that the news he has
just sent cannot be disregarded.
Naturally, the public mind will be in q
state of great unrest until some official ut
terance either denies confirms the report
the announcement of which would leave
Great Britain with her hands full Of trouble
large and small, including Brazil regarding
Trinadad, the serious misunderstanding with
Venezuela on the subject of the boundary
lines. the expedition preparing to reduce the
King of Ashanti to submission, the still seri-
GUS state of affairs in Armenia, the unsettled
state of the Egyptian question, and, now, the
most grave condition of affairs in the far
east.