New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
ENGLAND'S ISOLATION.
SECURE IN HER SPLENDID SEA POWER
SHE VIEWS THE CHINESE CUES
TON CALMLY.

[DY CABLE TO THE TRrBUEE.l
London Dec. 25.-The favortc holiday game
Is the Chinese puzzle, and. Ike other toys II Is
made in Germany. Eacn great Power Is trying
to drive its own pigs into clover, wnlie ths
native pigtails wondering whether The eau
casian is really played out. 1t Is fascinating
game with spare holes for every player even
Italy, and with inexhaustible resources Tor
combinations Every correspondent In Cont'-
rental capitals has been working at 1t, ana
every leadef-wrlter has solved the puzzle In MS
own way, with the help of maps diagrams ana
inner consciousness 1t is 4 confusing pastime'
because nobody seems to understand wnat are
the real points, but it offers capital sport for
dull times.
week ago English journals were discussing
ironically now much method there might be IN
the German Enpercr's madness. The reports OF
the Russian occupation CT Port Arthur came
with the suddenncss of pantomlme transforms
ton scene, and every tried TO explain the
mystery of the underpot. Russia was dehant-
" opposing the German campaign Of adventure;
China. Russia and Germany were working to-
gether cheek by jowl; there a new Triple
Alliance. with France as silent partner; Ger
many through Prince Henry. seeking TO
bait England into naval alliance; Japan was
on the eve of declaring war on RUSSIA ana 'e'-
many; China was appealing In despair ior Eng
lsh protection; China was determined IKE 'he
sultan 10 have no friend except the Car. Ihese
and countless other rumors we're in the air. ana
as fast as they were cOntradicted secret realies
we're devised old protocols discovered. ana ne"
dinlomatic combinations formed; for there 10
nothing like a fine Chinese puzzle for develop
ing and stimulating the Imagination
Several plain conclusions may be drawn afteT
this holiday recreation. First Of all. the Ger
/ hoe a theatrlcal
ent as Is shown by his power Of concentrating
the attention Of the world upon his Chinese
| campaign and leading every one to believe
that with the preaching of his new evangel the
end of the ancient and populous Flowery KING
dom Is at hand Secondly, diplomatic combina-
tions are more important on paper tnan sea
power since China was saved BY European
coalition when defeated in a naval war, and ~
now under the protection and at the mercy OK
Russia Germany and France. without reference
to the superiority OF the English fleet or the
gallantry OF the japanese Navy; but sea power
is still n momentous fact, and England, with
her naval resources is In no panic Thirciy' the
partition of China with its vast hives OF popu-
ation Is a very different operation from carving
Christmas goose for to-days dinner 1t is
complex work which will furnish statesmen,
soldiers and admirals with occupation for sew
era generations.
The protracted comedy with tragic passages
In the near East, upon which the curtain has
not yet fallen. is the parallel OF the long play
to be enacted In the far East to the accompani.
ment OF Chinese tomtoms and powder-pots. while
the great Powers quarrel in front OF the box
office. and tumble one another at the fies
whenever the shifted.
Whatever may be said respecting the neces-
sity Of naval base for England at Chu-
san. within striking distance Of the three har-
bors now occupied by Germany. Russia and
Japan, 1t is still evident that modern warfare
is battle for markets. and that the chief in
terests at stake in China are commercial Eng
land has what is more important than a naval
station the Pe-Ch-Li Gulf, the largest share
In the immense trade with China. This trade
may be menaced If Russia obtains the right
under a protectorate or treaty 10 close the chief
port OF Manchuria. but not otherwise. To Ger
man competition England offer no objec-
tion unless the collapse OF the Chinese Govern
ment occurs Unexpectedly. Her commerce is
secure, and nothing will be done except to
strengthen with additional battle-shps the fleet
which Is already superior to any other in those
waters. England may be without an ally on
the Continent. but every European Power
knows that her commerce cannot be taken away
from her without a naval war; for which she
is fully prepared.
Because of her isolation England would like
TO have Americans take keen interest in what
Is going on In China. where they. too have
great commercial interests which may be inn
pered by q European scramble for territory
and empire. Whatever may be the polemics Of
the Behring Sea question, there Is no public in
terest in them here and only growing feeling
OF impaiience that the go)d relations Of the
two branches OF the English speaking race
should be clouded by so trivial a dispute when
there might lie cordial cooperation In protect
ing commercial rights OF vast Importance to
both countries In the far East.
There is note OF triumph in the comments
OF the best English journals on the award OF the
Sealing Commissioners The Times has set an
excellent example. acquittng the United States
OF the well-worn charge OF acting In bad faith
In neglectng TO pay the bill Of damages first
assessed. What is expected is that the new
award will be ratified by Congress promptly
because this will be the first step toward et-
fecting next year settlement OF the main ques-
ton OF the modus vivendi nor can there be
any reasonable doubt that the State Depart
ment would be In better position for diplo.
matte negotiation II these sealing claims were
settled. although 1t has improved It's case by
securing the adoption Of Its main argument for
the preservation Of the seal herd by the two
conferences already held
Lord Salisbury. who has had nothing but bad
luck since he re-entered the Foreign Office cam
not have spent n merry Christmas with his
anxietes increased by the Chinese complications
and with the necessity of choosing between in
action and increasing English uneasiness there
by and the alternative OF ordering a squadron
to the yellow Sea and Irritating Germany 1t IN
a rheumatic Christmas FOR all the Minister'S since
they are overwhelmed with perplexities and
responsibilities: for India is In a deplorable con.
dltion, with its finances dsordered and costly
frontier campaign unfinished. and trade at home
is not fourshing. For the liberal leaders dis