The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-01

yyeIsSD.s DIFFICULT POSITION.
Until the powers which have been
taken by surprise shall have formed
Themselves into line. IL may be cx-
pccted that there viii be denials OF
any wariike purpose Germany and
Russia nave ou,Eitted the other
powers. ard for the tirae they are nom
piusssd. One important effect Of the
situation vii be the strict secrecy with
which all movements vii! be en-
shroaded. and the difficulty Of getting
az reliable news viii be commensurate.
Nevertheless, SO intense is the interest
that point will be frequently strained
by jealous correspondents to furnish
information which does not come from
the best authority.
There is an inconsistency about the
reports already which leaves no alter
native but the superstition that one or
another of the dispatches is incorrect.
One conspicuous fact stands out glar-
ingiy from amid the haze Of contra
diction, and that Is the occupation by
Germany OF a Chinese fort The seiz-
ure OF Chinese territory was one of the
most bare-faeed robberies ever per
petrated by one government upon an
other Not I'm two hundred years has
Great Britain been silent in the pres
ence of such an interference with
China as that involved in the seizure
OF Kiaochau. While still stunned by
this blow, England is smltten again
by the refusal OF Korea to reinstate
the British superintendent of customs
Twenty years ago such an act on
the part of a power Of the size OF
Korea would have been Immediately
resented by a demand followed up
with war vessels. Some show of the
cid policy Is being made by the APP
pearance OF few war vessels near
the Korean capital. and 1t Is reported
that the feet was definitely instructed
60 support a strong British expostula-
ton. This is so meek and mild COM
pared with the voice of thunder in
which Great Britain used to formulate
its demands that II Is almost pathetic.
The secret of the hesitation IL to be
found In the attitude of Russia. The
British government knows that behind
Korea stands its great Asiatic rival.
Tha frat hnt at rhar
ate in ST. Petersburg. and then speed
lily be echoed throughout Europe.
Japan is no less interested than Eng
land in the evident purpose OF the con-
tnental powers to occupy a strong po-
sition in China. When Russia extends
Its empire over Tartary and Manchu-
ria and then stretches its authority
over Korea. 1t will leave Japan an iso-
lated island. something like Cuba in
It's relation to the mainland. but sur
rounded hy foes.
The disintegration of China cannot
long be prevented when this OCCURS
There Is no strong concerted govern
ment; the empire is divided into dis
;inct provinces. and the jealousy OF
the local rulers will supplement- the eff
forts OF foreign foes. How impotent
China Is has been manifested BY the
war with Japan. The entire popuia-
ton of the island Is only thirty Eight
million, while that OF China is over
four hundred million, The Chinese
army was supposed to conals. OF six
hundred thousand men always under
arms. Willie that or Japan. even on n
war footing. was less than two hun
dred Thousand. The Chinese navy MAS
supposed To consist Of forty-hve men
of~war. while Japan had only seven
ironclada; yet So disorsanlzed Is the
Chinese Empire that il fell an easy
prey 10 Japanese arms.
What England is going 10 do forms
the sole concern of Russia. Germany,
ChIna aud Japan A most audacious
af(rout has been given the mistress Of
the seas. and the powers which have
heretofore been compelled 10 trcmble
when England frowued. are now lean
ing back sardonlcaily waiting 10 see
What SHE is going to do about IT,"
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