Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-16
Both Russia and japan Seek n Foot
ing In the Philippines.

Both Russia and japan Seek Foot
ing In the Philippines.
(New York SUM
il is an ominous dispatch from Toxic
that the Government Of Japan has issued
orders that u warship shall be sent i'm
rnediately to the Philippine Islands. The
importance " This movement does not
arise from the circumstance that the ma
tiyc5 Of the Philippines are NJ war with
Spain. 1t is Important TO the whole WcI4-
because of the fact that both Russia ana
japan are DESTROYS OF obtaining foot
hold in the Philippines, and that there are
elements Of danger Ia the rivalry between
these two great and warlike Powers.
The military value Of the Philippines 10
Russia, and also 70 japan Is incompulaOie.
Ii Russia had q naval base OF operations
there, in addition 10 that which she now
has al Korea and to that which lies north
OF the Kurile Islands she would be able
10 checkmate Japan at sea, to hem her 10,
and 10 make her powerful navy OF but
little service to her in the event or war
If. on the other hand, Japan We're able
10 obtain control Of the Philippine ISLANDS
or any one OF them, she would possess
a very great advantage over Russia. Al
the close OF Japans war with China she
seized the great island Of FOrmosa, ly-
ing north Of Luzon, the chief Island In the
Philippine group; and if she could next
raise her flag upon Luzon she would De
able TO control the China sea, ana the
waters that stretch 70 her own territory.
The winning Of the prize VIII be very
great achievement Of that one OF the two
Powers which may win H. IL IS % the
interest OF each Of them 70 use every
effort to obtain IT; and the prospects OF
success for the one or for the other or
the competitors may possibly be improved
by the native war against spain.
The Madrid journals have repeatedly
made the statement that the rebellion in
the Philippines had been stirred up by
Japan as q means OF promoting her
aggressive designs there. The Spaniaids
would probably find it as difficult 10 fur-
nish proof in support Of this accusation
as to give evidence I'm support or their
other charge that the Americans have
stirred up the rebellion In Cuba. But II
cannot De wondered that the accusation Is
made. for Spain has had the occasion TO
know Of Japdn's desire in the case.
The Jauanese Government turned an
eve upon The Philippines Immediately
after the close of war with China, when
Formosa came under its authority; ana
no attempt to conceal the fact was ever
,kade by the shrewd statesmen or Toxic
n was given out that they would Will
inglv agree to pay an indemnity 10 SPAN
n she would surrender colony wnicn
had been improbable TO ner, ana WnlcH
rod long been a source Of trouble TO her
Tho treasury Of Spain was empty; that
~ Ianan was full OF Chinese money
cnain had no use for the Asiatic Islands
,rbicb were so greatly needed by Japan
Hinder the circumstances, II seemed posi-
1 HE mat the two Powers would be able C
strike a bargain.
Rut all this time Russia, which for th'
mast three years has not been oVeririendiS
with Japan and which has interests II
| conflict with those OF Japan, was fully
/ alive TO the situation
russia also desires 10 get a toothol'
| in the Philippines. For reasons OF
vow, crave character, she seeks TO Obtain
y ro,,al coaling station there and she ha'
tbis year learned from Madrid that SPAR
v,o,,,s be READY 10 grant her that con
cassIon upon the condition that she woul'
/ contest her friendship AT this time o
,s,,i sor snain. That there has beer
ra-le,ing upon this subject between
hTas-id ana 81. Petersburg there IS ex
caIiert reason Tor saying. but the resul
of II can be only n slatter Tor speculation
| mill further developments shaH becOm
/ visible. , 81 T..
II Is at this time. and under these cir
cumstances. that the japanese Govern
- ms issued orders for the dispatcl
80 a varship TO the Philippines. II Japai
IL 10 be backed by Russia, If Russian
S,Dlomacy Is TO be successful against tina
~ the Japanese. It will be case o
Iiamopd cut diamond. Russia. as we'll Il
Iangn. has a puissant fleet near III
Asiatic coast.
THE situation is highly interesting an
will probably become more interesting !e
,rher tho Japanese warship reaches TN
harhor of Manila. II that is It's destination
Ii Is with the utmost energy that N
rsnanese have recently pushed thei
ornaments by sea and land. II Ii wit
the keenest foresight that the Russian
have prepared 20 meet any undesiranl
occurrence IN the far East The Cninea
Government has already granted