The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1895, 1895-05-24


more contemplate than the too
constant habit of railing against
Russian aggression, while every
European Power exhibits pre-
cisely the same tendency, if only
opportunity offers. A different
explanation suggests itself for
Germany's cooperation, if it be
true that she is cooperating. The
policy, inaugurated at Berlin by |
Prince Bismarck, did not change
with his retirement from Office.
1t remains to this day the aim of
German statesmen to transfer the
drama of European discussions to
an Oriental stage So long as
Russia attention is diverted to
Constantinople or to the Far
East, her influence on the
European problem loses much of
its inconvenience for Germany.
We have no difficulty, therefore,
in imagining that the latter
Power might act in concert with
the former at the present crisis,
not because the terms obtained
by Japan from Chinas have the
least practical interest on their
own account for Germany, but
because it suits the purpose Of
the statesmen in Berlin to find
occupation for Russia in these
remote regions. France, on the
other hand, may be influenced by
her entente with Russia, and may
also be attracted by the idea Of
softening the bitterness of her
relations with Germany by row.
ing in the same boat with her
under whatever circumstances.
1t is, of course, within the com
petence of the Cabinet in Paris to
devise plea for interfering be-
tween Japan and the acquisition
of Formosa, but as to the inclusion
of the Liaotung Peninsula among
Japan's possessions, no exercise
of diplomatic ingenuity could
establish q connection between
that event and French interests.
The considerations set down
here, dispose us to differ from the
Nichi Nichi Shimbum's conclusion
that no Ineligible reasons exist
for combination of Russia, Ger
many and France, at the present
crisis of the Far Eastern affair.
But although the influence of the
three Powers might possibly be
exerted so as to save China from
some of the consequences of her
defeat, nobody can imagine for
an instant thatany one of the three
would raise finger in China's
defence for China's! sake. We
need not elaborate that point.
Such procedure as the telegraph
assigns to Russia, France an6
Germany. could not mislead
China in the smallest degree
and would furnish to Japan {
useful object lesson as to thu
value set upon her friendship ant
. the regard paid to her Legitimate
, claims by certain Governments
We do not, for our own part
3 imagine that the issue of such
combination would be to softer
! the situation in any respect TO
: China Its consequence woul,
, be merely to divert portion O
the spolia Jelli from the Power t
which they belong by right q
i, conquest to a Power not we
prepared to a acquire them in tina
, manner. But whatever ma
be the result, there can be n
question about Great Br;tan's in
9 forests. 1t has recently please
:, some Of our countrymcn in th
! East to represent the sudde
;. growth of Japan's national statur
, as a menace to England, and t
|, grid at the statesmen in Downing
q street because they have not in
terfered to check this unlooke,
for development of an OrIenta
q Power. They fail to perceiv
9 that the inter ests of Great Britain
and Japan are convergent, ant
that though petty misunderstood
! ings momentarily separate thu
q two, the inevitable trend o
events must ultimately force thei
: feet into the same path. What