Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-29
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 30, 1S9
SENTIMENT AND POCKET.

Great Brtains timid and shlly-shally-
ing policy in respect of the recent little
eastern complications is being referred
20 as evidencing that the day of British
ultimatums, backed by British cannon,
IS past and the conclusion has been
reached by some that when it comes to
the test she will show no more defiance
and independence in dealing with the
latest phase of the far East question than
she exhibited touching the Armenian
massaeres. the Cretan affair, and the
Graeco-Turkish war. The cases are not
analogous and the conclusion referred 10
IS by no means Justifable.
However much they may differ among
themselves as to other things, the Bri
tsh public and British parties are prac-
tically unit on the question of protect
ing and advancing British trade. Great
Britain has merchant marine aggre-
eating 100000 tons, and a total foreign
trade amounting to more than $4,000, 900 900
annually. Her commerce with China is
put down at $172,OOOOOO year. or two
thirds of the total foreign trade of the
Celestial Empire. or the 1882 entrances
and clearances OF ships at the Chinese
treaty ports in 1895. Great Britain was
credited with 1857. the tonnage carried
being 2O,525,7SS, and out Of the rest of
China's foreign trade. Japan, the new
ally of Great Britain in the present en-
tanglement, gets s25,0Oo,Oo0 worth an
nually. When ii is remembered that
Chna's total foreign trade is placed at
s25S, $4,000, 1t will be seen that Great
Britain and Japan leave for division by
the rest of the world only 81 100000 Of
Chinese trade spoils.
These facts and figures demonstrate at
a glance the immense interests Great
Britain has at stake in the far East COM
plication. AS has been well said,
clash between Great Britain and the
other parties to the concert over the
little eastern question would have re-
suited in injury to British trade and in
dustries. but clash between her and enc
or more os the Powers over the far East
problem may be imperative for the pro-
lection and promotion of those interests
The little eastern situation appealed to
the sentiment of a part of the British
public: the far eastern situation threatens
TO touch with disastrous effects the
pocket nerve of the whole British public
While the British Ministry could afford
10 temporize with the indignation aroused
BY the Nominations of Gladstone and other
party leaders against the great assassin
Of Europe" and British peridy towards
Crete and Greece, they would hardly dare
resist what they know To be the united
demand of the British public that Britain
protect her trade at whatever cost might
be necessary. They would hardly have
the temerity to reverse what has been a
policy OF government after government.
and Premier after Premier. irrespective
OF party afillation-a policy for the main
fenance, support. and If occasion should
require, the enforcement. of which the
masses cheerfully agree TO the expendi-
ture Of some slO5.OOO.0Oo annually.
Russia's latest movements in the far
East are avowedly for the purpose OF
placing her in position to dominate
China and Chlnas trade. and hence are
inimical TO British interests in that
quarter In view OF this. and of Great
Britaip's traditional trade policy. the
world will be greatly surprised. we i'm
aglne. IL the note of warning the British
have sounded in Chinese waters is not,
id The event Of Russia's pushing mat
tiers too far. emphasized by the roar of
British guns However. even should the
necessity for this form of emphasis not
ar{se IN Is safe 10 conclude that for
every inch Russia grabs In the far East
Great Britain win grab an ell, and grab
st. boldly and dehanty, II need be.