The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-08
China Accepts Russia's Ultimatum,

China Accepts Russia's Ultimatum'
The special cable despatch to THE Sun
from Pekin which we published yester'
day morning was obviously Of unusual
Importance. It appears that Immediately
after the issue Of the imperial decree
on Thursday of last week, whereby the
Anglo.German loan was sanctioned, the
Cars representative made a peremptory
demand, which, in all likelihood, must
lead to war, or to a further partition of the
seacoast Of the Middle Kingdom. The de.
mand was that China should surrender to
Russia all her sovereign rights over Port
Arthur and Talienwan for the same term OF
years and on the same conditions as those
upon which Germany secured Kiao Chou
Bay, and also that Russia should receive
the right to construct a railway between
Port Arthur and the Siberian runk lines.
Notice was given that II within five days
the demand was not complied with, Russia
would move troops into Manchuria- Asub-
seauent despatch from Berlin announces
thai China promptly yielded to Russia's
demand.
II low oOVh SonSh VI S@ASS
thai the Pekin Government, anxious to
avert the nearest danger, would make,
within the specified time, the conces-
sions which Russia required. Its army
was left in a chaotic state after the
war with Japan, and, although an at
tempt has been made of late to render a
part OF it effective, the work Of organiza-
ton and training has been committed to
Russian officers, who would, of COURSE, be
recalled in the event Of the Gear assuming
q hostile attitude. The question remains,
How will Japan and England receive the
news hat the sovereign rights Of China in
the Liau-Tung Peninsula nave been leased
to Russia for aterm of ninety.nine years,
which would, Of course, be equivalent to a
lease in perpetuity.
We are not without indications of the
view that Japan will take of such a
transaction. Not long z the Mika-
dos Ministers called Upon the Pekin
Government for positive assurances that
the occupation of Port Arthur by Russian
warships was only temporary, and would
cease on the termination of the winter, when
the breaking up Of the Ice at V~ladivostock
would permit the return of the Russian
vessels thither. Failing to receive from
Pekin a satisfactory reply upon this point,
the Toxic Government addressed a request
for definite information directly to St.
Petersb urg. The answer comes in the shape
of the ultimatum delivered to China,
and in China's meek submission to the
terms imposed. Under the circumstances
Japan cannot, without n grave loss of
It--tk- ooN,aoo l.. CIt-or
Of the ultimatum. She must either re-
sort to war to preserve the integrity
of China's territory from Russia's en-
croachment, or, recognizing that the work
of partition will go on, must insist upon
receiving her share of the spoils.
We presume that an attempt at accom-
mediation will be made at China's expense,
for the naval power of Japan in Chinese
waters is superior to that of Russia and
France combined, and, 30 long as she main.
tanned that preponderance, she could place
troops in ManChuria much faster than
Russia could transport them across Siberia
in the present unfinished state of the Trans.
continental railroad. But what section OF
the mainland would the Japanese accept in
lieu of the Liau-Tung Peninsula, which
"SS ohNt iioit tbSii VII liz PIC tDut
Chinas territorial integrity must not be
impairedl She would, doubtless, accept
Corea, but how could Russia permit n Jap.
anese possession to be interposed between
Vladiyostock and her new acquisitions,
Port Arthur and T~alicnwanY Another
compensation which the Toxic Government
might view with favor would be an agree.
ment that, after the last installment of the
war indemnity had been paid by China, the
Japanese should continue to occupy the
naval stronghold, Wei.hai-Wei, which,
hitherto, they rave held only as security.
Against such an arrangement Germany
would be likely to protest, for the sphere of
influence, or hintrridnd, which the new
owners OF Wei would claim, would
be the province of Shan-Tung, upon which
the Germans consider that they nave estab,
lished a lien by their seizure of Kiao Chou.
1t is conceivable that Russia and Ger.
many might suggest the surrender to Japan
of Fuh'chow Flu, or of some other port in Fuh
Keen, the southeastern maritime province
which lies nearest to Formosa, and which is
believed to have fomented the rebellion in
that island against the japanese authorities.
Fuh Keen, which would thus fall within the
Japanese sphere OF influence, has an area
OF more than $4,000 square miles, and
contains at least IS, 900, 900 inhabitants.
1t is bordered on the southwest by Kwang,
Tung, the province in which Canton and
Hong Kong are situated, and wherein Eng,
land already exercises virtual a~scendancy.
Corea, the northern part of Shan. Tung, Fuh
Keen, or some other section of the Asiatic
mainland, the Mikado will Utmost certainly
exact, II the Russians are peacefully to
acquire Port Arthur and T%alienwan, the
possession of which will practically give
them the control of all the Chinese terri,
tory north of the Great Wall, and, by virtue
OF that, a dominant influence at Pekin.
Would England sidc with Japan, If the
latter power, failing to receive an equiva,
lent for Russia's absorption of the Liau,
Tung Peninsula, should consider itself
drivsRt to make war; One would answer in
.