Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-05-04
A Glimpse at Foreign Affairs.

| the terms OF the treaty is worthy OF belief.
At first thought it would seem that China
might wish to take advantage of the at
titude of Russia and other European gov
ernments to continue the war until better
terms should be granted. Indeed Were
China Il country where popular will stood
for aught her rulers would probably be
forced to this position by public senti-
ment But in this instance it appears
that the venerable statesman, Ii Hung
Chang, is wiser than his people. He
well knows that Russia has no love for
China. He must realize that her pur-
pose in trying to prevent the ratification
of this treaty with Japan is to prevent
the latter country getting possession Of
territory that Russia wants herself; in
OF her words what Japan has won in bat
tic Russia would take Now while the
Chinese have many investments in Japa
ncse enterprises they have none in Russia
The Russians are as much hereditary
enemies of the Chinese as are the Japa-
nese, more so in fact for there is spirit
| in common between the Chinese and Japa-
nese who understand the characteristics
and needs of each other better than for
elgners can. China has more to expect
from Japan than she possibly can have
from Russia. 1t is to be hoped for the
welfare of these oriental countries that
the treaty will be ratified uninfluenced by
the demands of Russia which are made
from the most selfish motives.
Moreover every country allied with Rus
STA in making these demands has an ak
to grind France fears for the Philippines
and desires support in her cxtortionate
policy in Madagascar. Spain had not for
years been of sufficient consequence to be
admitted to the councils of Gho Powers
and is glad to get the chance under any
prctext. 1t now appears that there was
craft and real Bismarckian diplomacy
in Germany's coalition with Russia. Not
only is she as well rs France likely to
need Russia's support in African coloni-
cation but Germany by this alliance viii
not only relieve herself somewhat of Eng
lish influence but circumvent France, if
as believed the latter country desired al
lance with Russia for the purpose of $50
curing that country's aid in event of war
with Germany.
! Meanwhile what of this alliance in case
of ratification Of the treaty and what in
fluence will it have upon the quarrel be-
tween Norway and Sweden! 1t is doubted
| by most authorities ON foreign affairs If
Russia really contemplates fighting to Sc
cure q slice of China. No one doubts, how
ever, that she is terribly in earnest about
securing a winter port on the Pacific. In
deed the editor of the New York Sun
takes this surprising position: "Japan's
claim to adequate territorial and pecuni-
airy reward for her sacrifices and successes
Is not whit more legitimate than is
Russia's demand that, in the reconstruc-
ton of the map of the Asiatic seacoast ad-
joining her possession S, her vital need of
a harbor open all the year found shall
receive consideration. !"
Naturally the Sun docs not attempt
to argue this position. What equities Rus
sia has now that the war is onded other
than VIII at she had before the war began
or what justice there is in her claim we fail
to see. She has no more claim to winter
port on the territory coded by the treaty
to Japan than she has in the Notifications
of England at Gibraltar 1t might be wise
policy, however for Japan to meet her in
q spirit of concession. Port Lazaretf, the
natural terminus of the railway which
Russia is constructing across Siberia
would afford Russia winter port and
it is thought the King of Corea might
cede this to Russia If the Mikado advised
it, Russia paying handsome sum for
the concession. Because England has for
so many years succeeded in keeping Rus
STA from possession of winter port in
connection with the Atlantic is not con-
elusive evidence that Japan will be able
| to do SC and little concession now may
| be of advantage to her hereafter. As to
| what effect the alliance of Germany, Rus
STA and France may have upon the out
come of the scandinavian crisis there can
be conjecture only. We are likely to
know before long how much interest she
takes in this quarrel between Sweden and
Norway which has now reached an acute
stage. On May LIST, the first attempt look
ing to II termination of the commercial
treaty between the two countries was
made in the Legislature. The. Norway
radicals demand complete independence
The king has offered them separate con-
sular service, they have had all along
home rule In national affairs, and to es-
tablish separate consular service at
Stockholm upon a common basis between
the two nations. This concession was re-
jected and there is no prospect of conces-
sion so long as the party now in control