New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-09

OF the water gates Of Pekin; but photographers
are at variance respecting the best harbor and
the utility of this policy Is an open question
among diplomatists and imperial statesmen
There is also the alternative policy Of Joining
the great Powers in a general plan for the d.
vision Of Chinese territory; and this finds little
favor when England Is already strained and
oyerweighted with the burdens of a worldwide
empire All these details have been discussed
by the press without excitement, and the de-
cis!on Of the Government when 1t Is reached
will probably be upheld with substantial unan-
unity Apart from these considerations there
is q consciousness Of strength which Is based
on superior sea power. The value OF naval sta
tions in the yellow Sea may be what 1t may. and
alliances and coalitions may be expedient or
embarrassing, but England outside of the circle
Of European barracks and camps is known to
be the undispued mistress of the seas
ENOUGH WORK ON HER HANDS.
Not only Is there this keen consciousness OF
naval supremacy but there is also a general
conviction among all classes that England has
already as much of the worlds work to do as
can be safely undertaken without an immense
standing army recruited by CONSUMPTION. India,
with its swarrnlng millions. financial impoverish-
fanatical clansmen. is an empire under which
Matthew Arnold's Weary Titan" is already
staggering and bent to earth. and in Africa there
IS n continental realm broadening and length
cning until 1t threatens to become continuous
from the Mediterranean to the Cape Of Good
Hone and while the self-dependent colonies in
Australia and British North America are dis
playing the best virtues of English stock. the
burdens and responsibilities of world wide do
minon are constantly increasing in every quar-
ter England has enough to do without rush.
ing into a European scramble for the division of
China with its countless millions. Its army Is
already overworked wengh to the breaking
point of exhaustion.
The commercial competition Of Germany has
been felt at home and abroad and Is dreaded
But Germany as cOlOnizng Power has made
so little Roadway that no uneasiness is caused
when she obtains foothold on the Chinese
mainland. where England has been strongly in
trenched for generation and is in command Of
Il well organized commerce. 1t Is the Russian
occupation Of Port Arthur which is the real
sign of the trend OF events during the next
century, and while IT may be said that the
partition of China has virtually begun and
that France must have secret understanding
with Russia, the Near East is accepted as a
parable Of the Far East and Of the laborious.
far-reachng processes Of the order of modern
progress. A we-known diplomatst said to me
rot long ago: Russia never deeply concerns
herself with what may happen the next year, /
or even in the present generation She looks for
ward a hundred years to the achievement of
the destiny Of universal dominion" That Is |
the explanation OF the deliberation with which /
she has waited at Constantinople after becoming |
the power behind the Sultans throne for she |
covets not only the capital. but the greater part
OF the ottoman Empire. Vladvostock is not a |
good terminus for the Siberian Railway and |
Port Arthur is port Immediately available |
but Russia unless false to the traditions Of her /
policy. will be In haste for a partition Of