Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-13
EUROPEAN POLITICS.
SITUATION SOON TO BECOME.
HIGHLY INTERESTING.
RUSSIA'S ADVANCE EASTWARD.
Her Virtual Possession of Manchu-
ria-PnrtifiOn OF Cbina-LoSs of
British Prestige-Threatcnc Eng
Iish Hallway Strike
Copyright 1896. by the Sun Printing and

acllNltN III ulploIutlc circles throughout
Europe is sufficient indication that by
the time Parliament meets next month
international politics will have acquired
a highiy-interesting IL not genuinely
acute. phase. The present policy in Of
fetal quarters in London is to minimize
the importance Of pending events as long
as possible. There is no doubt that,
when the time for an official declaration
does arrive. every effort will be made TO
turn the prospective settlement of the
Turkish question into a triumph for Brit
ish diplomacy. in order to offset the
great advantages in the far East which
Russia is on the point of acquiring It is
doubtful if Lord Salisbury's government
can produce this desired effect His or
gans in the press are doing their best TO
prepare the public mind for an authentic
announcement that Russia has virtually
gained possess on Of Chinas rich province,
Manchuria.
\ year ago. when this master-stroke Of
Russian diplomacy was first rumored. the
Tory journals. from tbe Times down,
shouted war. and discussed its possibility
as nothing less than an inevitable call TO
rms. Since then Mr.. Arthur Bllfour
las declared that ne would welcome the
news that Russia had acquired an ice-free
'ort on the Pacific as distinct adj
vance OF civilization. There could be no
harper contrast than the attitude taken
~ the Times year ago. when IL first
printed the report OF tn Russo-Chnesc
reaty, Identical with that revived this
week. and the mild uttorances OF the
anne paper yesterday. Now. Il says:
1T seems highly creditable. and. as Il
g. indeed. probable, that Russia. in her
lwn way and at her own time. Will seek
strengthen her hold over Manchuria,
md. perhaps, even to annex portions Of
bat province. she very naturally desires
ne shortest and easiest route to the port
ne already possesses az NladivostOck,
nh also a more advant0 geous pert. with
qually good land communications. some
where on the Chinese coast on that
asis. 90 Is simple and easy 10 confound
-uccessivc statements Of the Kind we
are now discussing with tho comfort
BILE conviction that some day or other
me of them will be more or less iust-
led. II IS even conceivable that the
russian officials are willing TO humor the
propensity 20 set such rumors ahoat.
These things accustom the public mind
% the idea that something Of the kind
viii happen. so that when the forward
step is really taken Il may seem mode
ate and reasonable. in comparison with
what has been apprehended.
"In the far East there is abundance Of
room for a long time 10 come both for
Rursia and ourselves. II is our business
20 strengthen our own position, to ex-
. 'eui our own markets, and TO prepare
With as much foresight as we can muster,
Cor changes evidOptly t,ming in the
not-distant future Russia IS bent upon
developing her vast Asiatic empire. IN
doing so she must inevitably push east
ward to the ocean. and not less inevita-
blv will she obey the secular law OF
human gravitation towards tho South.
with treaties or without by one arrange
ment or by another. These great move-
ments will 90 on from year 70 year and
from generation TO generation and we
may as well accept the fact. once for all.
allowing the details to drop into their
proper place, and ceasing 10 fret unduly
about them. If. and when, our interests
are directly assailed. We must resist, if
necessary In arms"
ASTONISHING CHANGE.
This on the whole pusillanimous Ian
guage fairly represents English public
opinion. and also the astonishing change
which has taken place in British sent-
ment during the eventful year Just closing.
II IS the simple truth to-day that
the aggressive policy Of a rival ma
iion which year ago would have driven
Great Britain 10 arms. is now accepted
with a merely reeretful sigh that British
prestige Is no longer what ii was. This
is aside from the question Of the truth
or falsity Of the report that the extra
ordinary treaty outlined a few days ago
has been virtually agreed upon between
Russia and China. Opinion in all circles
inclines 10 the belief that this story is
substantially correct. Even Sir Charles
Dixie. whose opinion on the FAR eastern
situation and outlook Is more valuable
than that of any member az the govern
mont accepts the substance Of the report.
He pointed out In a speech on the subject
Thursday night that the proposed treaty
goes much farther than Mr. Balfour in
dictes would be acceptable 10 England.
Practically. he said IL placed Northern
China al the feet Of Russia.
ENGLAND has refused the invitations OF
France and Russia 10 take part in
general scheme with regard 10 the Chinese
empire. and he thought had rightly
refused because such schemes meant in
the long run partition, and partition was
contrary to English interests. whatever
might be said about it in one sense or
another upon grounds Of public principle.
II however. the British Cabinet were 10
refuse TO agree 10 the paruiioning OF
China. II ought 10 be with the settled
intention Of not allowing virtual partition
by other Powers 20 take place, against
England The present situation was
vastly more important. Sir Charles point
ed out, than the negotiations at the
close Of the Chnese-Japanese war. which
caused great excitement in England, and
vet the Conservative press is almost silent
ON the subject. At all events. Europe is
not going TO submit itself TO the humilia-
ton Of another fiasco.
THREAT OF STRIKE.
The sudden danger Of a vast railway
strike. which confronted England this
week was entirely unexpected by the
public. 1t appeared for a day or Two
that the management OF the London ana
Northwestern Railway Company was de-
liherately forcing It's union employees 10
test Of strength, and some people are
sorry that the struggle is not TO take
place The issue would have been 80
clean-cut and important that II IS pity
on some accounts II could not be fought
ont The managers Of the road learned
that the employees union intended 10
make certain demands. Thoreupon, the
managers asked certain Of their men two
question, as follows:
care you a member Of the Amalga-
mated Society Of Railway Workers.
IF so, would you. at the bidding OF that
society quit work"
When the answers to both questions
were affirmative. the men were dis
charged. Hence the trouble arose. The
Amalgamated Society asserts that some
men were discharged simply for refusing
70 answer the questions. Public opinion
would not support the railroad IN the
latter case. though large section of II
would do so in the former The railway
company has put itself right before the