New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-06

Tho statement that Russia and Germany are
not pleased at the acquisition of Wei-Ilai-Wcl
by Great Britain may we'll be believed. II IS
not known that Great Britain asked permission
Of either Of those Powers. nor that she was IN
any respect under obligation to do so, any more
than they were to consult her about their re-
cent land grabbing in the same part of IN"
world. Two wrong acts do not make third
one right but they do logically and morally de-
bar the doors Of them from criiicisng III" doer
Of H. Great Britain has not attempted 10 pre-
vent the ACQUISITION Of Chinese territory by
rival Powers She will not regard with much
,rcphaton whatever ungencrous murmurings
they NAV make against her similar conduct.
Tie strategic importance of Wei-fiai-Wei has
recently been explained in these columns. IL
Is in a more commanding place than PORT Ar
thur. for II dominates the approach not only 10
Picking ~ the latter does, but also tho ap-
proach 10 Port Arthur itself. 1t commands not
only the Gulf OF Pc-Chi-IA. as does Port Ar
thur, but Corca Bay as well. II Is. moreover.
naturally fitted 10 become an imprcgnablc
fortress. vcrltablc "Cibraltar OF the East" 10
use again n much-ovcrworkcd phrase. British
possession OF 1t VIII be to Russia much what
British possession Of lIcllgoand was 10 Ger
many but rather more annoying and menaclng.
All Russian commerce to and from Port Ar
thur and fallen Wan and NIL Russian naval
preparations there Will henccforth pass under
the very muzzlcs OF British guns
Not the least Interesting and significant feat
IRE 81 the case is the part played by Japan.
She holds Wc.-IIai-Wcl at present ne surety
for the Chinese war indemnity. and has not
long ago considered the dcsirab.llty Of taking
permanent possession Of It, Now. however Sho
e said ~ have acquIcSccd In the British lease
Of H. That indicates n close and friendly I'M
dcrsianding between Japan and Great Britain
4 thing ~ hopeful omen FOR civilization IN the
East. /, also lndi'h'ps that Japan VIII devote
her energrs 10 strengthening her hold upon
Corca whore Russia has for tho time given
her clear field. That Russia has permanently
abandoned her prctcnsions I'm Corca Is not. OF
course 10 10 imagined. She has Withdrawn
from that Empire merely in order 10 disarm
japanese opposition 10 her seizure Of the Re
gents sword. and TO give herself time 10 com
plcic her railroad across Siberia When the
latter work IS done there can be- no doubt that
she will again move upon Corcl.
The inilmatlon that France will demand COM
pcnsatlng concessions on tho Chinese coast was
10 hc expected Nothing more has been heard
~ Tho French demands which were put for
ward for prompt settlement fcw days ago. cx-
cept tho general statement that the execution
Of them has been delayed by British opposition
and Russian non support British opposition
has probably existed only In Chauylnst lmagi-
nation Lack OF support by Russia there IN
questlonably has been. That Is RusSias pol
lev 70 Use France for her own purposes in
every possible way. bu, 10 render France no
services whatever In return. II is 10 be hoped
France will realize this and take her own init
alive which she Is amply competent 10 do Her
ACQUISITION OF n coalug station N the mouth
~ the Min River could give no offence 10
Great Britain. since II would he about five hun
drcl miles from Hong Kong on the one hand
and nearly four hundred from ChuSan on the
other Japan might not like H. for Il would
be pretty close 10 the northern end Of Formosa
but It is not probable that she would make any
actual opposition.
The whole coast OF China thus bids fair 10
be parttioncd among the Powers. When thar
Is done the question of the "hntcrland" will
arise with manifold perplcxitlcs. 1t will be
found far harder thing 10 take possession Of
populous provinces far inland than to seize
coast cities which lie helpless under the guns
Of the feet