The record-union., 1895-10-02
TIE DIVISION oF CHINA.

Our statesmen are convinced that Eng
land has been secretly seeking to draw
the United States into a quasi-alliance
that would have made US meddlers IN
Asian affairs, and possibly have made US
the enemy Of Russia.
While we have no love for the autocracy
of the Car, we are sensible on this side
of the water that 1t is far more to our IN
terest that Russia should dominate in
China than that England should dictate
there. We are also mindful of the tradi-
ton of our nation that bids Us to keep
our fingers out of any and all schemes
for the partition of other nations not OF
this continent.
Neither Russia nor Great Britain have
any moral right to dominate in China.
But If both do not do so by agreement,
there will be war between the two great
robbers. The Oregonian reflects the truth
when, in ably treating this subject, it
saws that every indication points to that
possibility, if an agreement to divide is
not early reached. The proffer OF that
agreement will be made by Great Britain.
The lesser powers of Europe and Asia
would gladly unite with England 70 pre-
vent Russian advance in China, but
England does not care fig for that ad-
vance il she can secure the terms she
desires, and as to what the lesser powers
want. neither she nor Russia take &C
count.
If Russia pursues the policy that 1t IS
thought may now be easily discerned, it
means not occupation of a portion OF the
Corean peninsula merely, but far more.
It means she permanent planting OF her
standard we'll down below the Cobb
Desert and the ALASKAN Range, with in
tent TO push her authority TO protector
ate over the Chinese Empire itself, and
this wholly Irrespective of what Japan
may think, threaten or do. Russia will
demand the right to make the terminus
OF the trans-Siberian railway somewhere
on Chinese waters, possibly at Port
T.
land cannot for a moment agree on this
scheme. The official press Of London has
already given out that this must not be.
but coucsdes it is reasonable that Russia
should desire and secure an open port In
lower waters of the North Pacific, which,
after ALI will not render her any more
70 hor iaS W
be a point of attack as well as Of ag-
Rression.
It is understandable, therefore, what is
meant by the hint of the organ of the
Ministry of England that IAN under
standing" must be had with Russia. It
means simply this, that the latter must
agree, if permitted TO come TO the lower
Pacific, Just as she is surely going to the
Mediterranean, that there shall never be
any nearer approach to the India border;
"and provided also that you will not join
with France to threaten our possessions
and advances in Africa" AS to the ex-
tension of Russian jurisdiction over
Gnluhr or IaTL6 Oi IL, OE6hL DIltdlu VIII
consent to that il al the same time she is
given an equal share of the plunder and
the power of the TWO nations is main
tanned on an equality in China, politi-
cally and commercially.
In other words. England stands ready
to agree with Russia for a partition of
China. If two neighbors should agree
to fall some night upon third and de-
prive him of his possessions. we would
call it robbery. and that is about what is
proposed now regarding China SO far as
the English hint goes. England wants
to hold the southern portion OF China as
buffer between India and Russian ad-
vance from the north, and to secure that
buffer is perfectly willing that Russia
may take Northern China and do with it
as she wills. Take what you will north
ofthe ALASKAN chain, and leSve us to do
our pleasure with all that lies south of it.
from the waters of the Pacific to Eastern
Tnrkestsn.u That is the simple PROPOSE
t,on of division of spoils that is proposed
by the British.
What will the other powers say to this?
France will protest until she is purple