New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
THE PARTLTION OF CHINA.

News from the Far East is vague ard often
contradctory-ts usual characteristics when
wars or other serious movements are mpend-
ing Not even Havana itself has been the
source Of more news that is not news than
Shanghai, for example. was throughout the war
between China AID Japan. Nevertheless. few
facts seem 10 be we'll established, and they may
serve as bases for certain amount Of not too
reckless speculation. The one fundamental fact
is, of course, that the long-contemplated parti
ton of China has now actually begun. 1t may
be dated from the time when Russia. Germany
and France combined 10 Cypress and coerce
Japan into modifying the treaty Of SimOnoseki
and thus relinquishng her just rights as victor
In the Chinese war. For that doubtful service
\ to China, Russia was first to claim reward, in
the form of a military occupation and virtual
protectorate of Manchura and Leao-Tong. Ger
many has followed at no great distance by the
seizure of Kiao-Chau. France will come last,
but her share Of the spells will probably not
be least. That perfect understanding on the
subject exists among the three Powers is I'M
questionable. 1t is shown in the facts that
neither Russia nor France makes the slightest
protest against Gernany's action nor even e1-
presses surprise at it, and that Russia. when
appealed to by China for protection against
Y,
share of the partitioncd empire and tightening
her grip upon it,
Another thing equally clear is that the three
Powers have three objects in view. The first
is 10 grab as much as possible of China for
themselves. That of course. The second Is
10 curb the rising power of Japan. TO which
country they have already demonstrated their
hostility. The third. and not least is TO Dust
Great Britain from the place of paramount in
fuence she has long held in China. For the
present this last object is by far the most In
teresting and significant. II Is to be observed
that the three Powers are those which have
long been accounted the least friendly 10 Great
Britan-have, indeed, each of them on more
than one occasion manifested an active desire
10 battle her diplomacy and thwart the promo
ton Of her interests. They have AT any rate,
taken this action without consulting her and
with full consciousness that it will not prove
pleasing 10 her. More than that an officially
sanctioned utterance on behalf Of the chief Of
them is TO the effect that Great Britain is not
TO be considered in the matter and that if she
insists upon having a hand in the partition of
China she will be responsible for whatever
breach of the peace may occur Whether Great
Britain will protest against their action. or will
herself make compensatory seizures of Chinese
territory, and. in either case, how her action
will be regarded by the three Powers are
among the most important questions in the
whole business.
Japan may be thought Of last, but assurellv
she Is not 10 be ignored. She is now great
Power She mas the enormous advantage Of
proximity to the scene Of action. She has a
more powerful fleet than any other. save two,
can put into those waters. and she has a
stronger army than any Of them can at present
send TO that quarter Of the globe. She has,
moreover, already a strong foothold in China,
at WeiHai-Wei, on the other side Of the very
peninsula of Shan-Tung which Germany has
invaded She holds that place merely as Sc
curity for the payment OF the war indemnity
by China. 1t is said Russia will now advance
the money, that China can pay of the In
demnity at once and thus get rid Of the Japan
csc. But suppose that, after they have got the
money, the japanese decline to go, and make
their settlement at WeiHaWei permanent:
They would have as much right to do so as Ger
many has to seize KaO-Chau-indeed more;
for japanese interests in China are far greater
than German Who would undertake to turn
the Japanese out? Not the Chinese, We may he
sure They had enough Of that In CoreA and
at Port Arthur. Would one or all Of the three
partitioning Powers? There is only one Of them
that could do IL. and she is the last that would
undertake IT, Against either Germany or Rus
STA. or both Of them. Japan could hold her own.
Finally, there is the possibility, which daily
verges toward the condition Of probability, that
there will be cooperation between Japan and
Great Britain. as, indeed, there ought to be.
Their interests are harmonious, their aims the