The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-10-04
ENGLAND'S PLANS
May Combine With Russia to
Control the Far East.
A POSSIBLE SOLUTION OFFERED
Japan and China May Maintain Their
independence by joining Forces
Their Only Chance.
A POSSIBLE SOLUTION OFFERED

In commenting upon the European
Asiatlc situation an Eastern paper offers
the following possible solution:
The possibility that Great Britain and
Russia may unite for further spoliation
of the Far East has not been unnoted In
the past. Recently 1t has seemed, with
their conflicting interests in Asia Minor,
to be all but impossible. But late ar
tlcle In the London Spectator, a journa4
which is probably as closely informed
with regard to the policy OF Salisbury
as any In England, seems to indicate
that such an alliance may be sought by
England and that 1t win be sufficiently
tempting to induce Russia to abandon
part of her long cherished and patiently
prosecuted plans, for the sake Of carry
ing out the remainder unmolestsd. The
Franco-Russian alliance has wldened the
breach and the determination of Russia
to secure Mediterranean and Pacific ports
has caused England to watch her with
anxious eyes. All this 1t seems may yet
be reversed and an entirety new face
put upon affairs In the East.
What this would mean to the nations
most concerned as intimated by the Spec
tator article, would be that England
would abandon her efforts to keep Rus
sla from obtaining a foothold on the
Mediterranean, and the North Pacific,
with the understanding that Russia, on
the other hand. should let India alone
and drop the alliance with France, at
least so far as the African policy Is con-
cerned. The Spectator expressly states
that 1t would be desirable for Lord Sads-
bury to arrive at an understanding with
Russia by which the latter would be
permitted to absorb as much OF Northern
and Eastern China as suits her, pro-
vided the interests Of English commerce
are not injured thereby. All this points
to a mutual spoilation Of China by Eng
land and Russia, on the sane plan as
that which they have hitherto adopted
In Western Asia. There is no attempt
to disguise the purport Of the plan, and
1t Is sufficiently plausible, among Euro
pean powers. to he suggested with bold
ness and safety. The nations OF Europe
have by no means outgrown, as yet, the
primitive idea that might makes right.
England Is considerably more advanced
than Russia IN many respects, but In
this they are exactly on line.
So far as China is concerned, the result
of such an arrangement would at least be
an Improvement on the present condition.
She would be governed by firm hand.
whether the Russian or the Brlton held
the relns, and In the course OF genera
tlons she might evolve something like
decency and order although there the
situation would not be conducive TO NOR
al vIgor or the growth OF patriotism.
China does not appeal to the Western
Imagination and 1t Is comparatively easy
TO regard her possible division with phil
osophy. Such a fate. In short, would be
precisely what she deserves. But with
Japan, whose future would be threatened
by anything so vitality affecting China,
1t is quite another thing. Japan has earn
en- and has enjoyed the respect and admi-
ration OF all civilized people and to see
her prospects for sturdy growth and IN
dependence In danger. would be, espe-
cially to Americans, a matter OF keen re-
gret There Is just one hope for Japan.
in case the allegiance suggested should
take pace, and that is 10 Join hands
with China for the purpose OF mutual
defense. China has numbers Japan
could furnish brains and executive power
and might possibly be able, IL not to
preserve her own and China's independ-
ence, at least TO AFFECT the final resulT
fayorably TO them both. Il would Do
worth trying, and II might almost be
said that in # lies the only chance for
tie preservation OF the independents Of
the vw0 nations.