Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-10
.rIURSDAY........,MARCH III, 1898.
TO THE FORE AGAIN.


fore. and interesting, If not exciting, de-
velopments may be expected any day.
IN order To an appreciation OF the sltua-
ton n little retrospectiOn Is necessary
II will be remembered that when Ger
many seized Kiao-Chau bay she forced
the hand of Russia, and the latter re-
sponded by possessing herself of Fort
Arthur and Ta-Men-Wan. Immediately
Great Britain bristled with protests as
10 both seizures. Both involved menace
10 Great Britain's time-honored trade
poiicy. But IL was easy 10 see that
british indignation was directed more
against Russia than against Germany.
Other considerations aside, the Bri-
fish public were smarting under the hui
initiation of having been outwitted by
Russia i'm the final Japano-Chnese war
settlement.
British protests eventually took official
form in a declaration made by the Chan
ceiior of the Exchequer that the govern
ment Ibid not regard China as a place
for conquest or acquisition by any Eu-
ropeaR or other Power" and that Great
Britain was absolutely determined at
whatever cost, even-and he abe Chan-
cellor) wished TO speak plainly-if neces-
sary at the cost of war, that that door
Ohe Chinsse) should not be shut to free
trade. This declaration was received
with wild enthusiasm by the nation, and
when, upon the opening of Parliament
Lord Salisbury stated that he had
written assurance from the Russian
Government that any port Russia might
Obtain would be free port. and that
Germany had given a similar assurance,
the British felt that they had gained a
great victor~.
However, a little later a suspicion got
abroad that Russia had not been as
frank as was at first supposed, and this
led 70 an interrogation of Mr.. Curzon, in
Parliament, rs to whether British goods
would have access 10 the territory behind
the ports in question. Mr.. Curzon would
not, or could not, reply, and 1t now ap-
pears that the suspicion was but too
well founded. 1t turns out tha1
Russia has been playing a double game.
and that her assurance as TO free ports
meant a concession of the shadow,
without the substance. Germany and
Great Britain having gotten together and
scored triumph in the matter of the
Chinese loan, Russia, 1t is said, has offset
that triumph by securing long lease.
not only on Port Arthur and Ta-Lien-
Wan. but on a great stretch OF territory
back of these ports. 1t is also I'm evil
dence that Russia has secured a renewal
Of important railway building conces-
sions in that territory, and is again very
active in Korea.
Port Arthur, as Is well known.
is most desirable naval sta
ton, and Ta-Lien-Wan is the KEY
10 Port Arthur In the matter of
protecting a railway link between the
latter and the main stem of the Trans
Siberian railroad. which Russia is push
ing to completion as rapidly as possible.
Russia has not receded from her "assur-
ance" that Port Arthur and Ta-Iien-
Wan shall be free ports. but Great Bri-
tain has no assurance that the territory
behind them will be open TO her trade.
on the contrary, as the case now stands.
II seems certain that Russia's purpose Is
10 dominate exclusively the whole of
Manchuria.
And now the question IS, "What is
Great Britain going to do about it?" AS
TO the answer. this country cannot be in
different. While there are many British
policies with which we do not sympa-
thize, on this Issue our interests ana
Great Britain's are one. Our trade With
China is rapidly increasing. The enforce
ment I'm that country OF the British rule
VI an open field and fair competition
would carry with It great possibilities
for American commerce, for wherever
british trade can go American trade can
go. The contamination OF Russia's policy
IN any part OF China would not only shut
out from that territory British trade
but American trade also. 1t follows
therefore. that the United States are
deeply interested in Great Britain's show |
Ing that the declaration made by her
Chancellor OF the Exchequer, and which
We have quoted above, was not mere |
blun.' For our part. we do not believe |
u was blum. Moreover We 90 not be- |
lieve that IL Il shall be shown that the |
declaration was made in earnest war win /
result Although Russia has tremendoug
Interests at stake IN carrying her point.
She ~ set lacking seriously In the faeIn.
f@s and power for concentrating IN ina