Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-10-26

London, October 25.-The dispatch
from Shanghai yesterday afternoon an
nounc.ng the departure of a fleet of 10
Russian warships from Vladivostock for
Chemulpo and Fusan, Corea, and the
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, have caused intense excite
ment in official circles here as well as
in those having commercial relations
with the far east. These statements are
looked upon generally as being a sud-
den reopen.ng 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 preparations for strug-
gle were visible on all sides.
The Hong Kong cable message to the
Times caused that paper to remark edi-
torially to-day: Russia cannot possibly
imagine that the great powers will view
with Indifference such a destruction Of
the balance of power, which is almost
unparalleled in its audac.ty. China's
option to purchase the railways is a
jest almost too cynical to find place in
any serious diplomatic transaction.
Under the indicated conditions Manchu-
ria would practically become a Russian
province while Pellin would be within
Russia's grip"
II is admitted here that the situation
presented is so grave that should the
news prove true, it would make war,
in which several nations will take part,
more than probable. 1t should be ad-
ded that there is every reason TO be-
lieve that the story from Hong Kong
is authentic, and all sources of infor-
nation agree that the powers interested
in the far east VIII find themselves con-
fronted by a condition of seriousness
which cannot be oyerestimated The
etternoOn papers Of this city all publish
org articles agreeing that British in
rven'inn in tae far east is necessary.
a,ite 10. James Gazette says. Even
war with Russia would be less disas-
trous than to allow her, without a blow,
to set such a grip upon China. She
could throttle all the other powers and
choke of their commerce. Unless Rus
sla and China give the necessary assur-
ances, il is a case for an ultimatum
and perhaps the most serious step our
diplomacy mas had since the Crimean
war"
The impression is general in the official
world, and it is re-ech0ed by the press.
th3t neither America nor Germany can
allow the Pacific to become "a Franco
huss;an lake. as the Globe puts It.
ana 1t Is generally thought that the dip
lomats VIII be sufficiently strong TO
combine TO resist Russian aggression.
Ihe Pail Mall Gazette sums I'D the
startling news with the statement that
Russlt has annexed China" and. in
the course of a long article on the sub
JecJ, adds: If this treaty is to stand.
roll up the map of Asia" In con-
ciuSlon 1t urges the reOccupation of
Fort Hamilton by the British and the
immediate Strengthening of the British
1leet IN Chinese waters lest Japan lose
her fleet at the first blow"
The greatest activity has been dis,
played in the government Offices here.
particularly at the foreign Office and
at the admiralty, and the coming and
going of messages was continuous
throughout the morning and business
hours of the afternoon.
At the different clubs the 'war scare"
in the East is eagerly discussed. the
grave situation Of affairs in Venezuela
having almost dropped out of recollec-
tiOn in the alarm Of the moment. No
body seems to 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 a
great war. The correspondent Of the
Times at Hong Kong, who sent the
news, is described by his newspaper
as being in "close relation with the
men who are able to penetrate be-
meath the surface of things" and it is
therefore concluded that the news he
has just sent cannot be disregarded.
Naturally the public mind will be in
a state Of great unrest until some official
utterance either denies or confirms the
announcement, which would leave Great
Britain with her hands full of troubles.
large and small, including the dispute
with Brazil regarding Trinidad. the
serious misunderstanding with Vene-
zuela on the subject of the boundary
lines. the expedition preparing to re-
duce the King of Ashanti to submission,
the still serious state of affairs in Ar
menia, the unsettled state of the Egyp-
tian question, and now, the most grave
condition of affairs in the far East.