Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-05
WALTER wELI.MAN SEES A EURO
PEAN WAR AT HAND.
':P0RTENT0Us" INFORMATION.
GREAT BRITAIN MUST FIGHT OR
LOSE HER PRESTIGE.
Russia the Master of the Politics OF
the Old World, With England
Almost Absolutely Isolated
She COvets All of
Asia.

Chicago Jan. 4-Walter Wellman says in
his Washington letter to the Times-Herald:
rs the long talked of great war in Eu-
rope to come at last?
From high authority in the diplomatic
circle here I gather information of the
most portentous character.
Great Britain has been completely iso-
lated by the European powers and is now
without any chance to secure a. hrst-class
ally. Japan is the only interested power
with which England can arrange terms.
Russia and France are hand in hand. and
are even prepared to fight together on land
and sea.
IF they have not a definite alliance,
said my informant, whose position in the
diplomatic world Is of the very highest.
they have a very close entente. which
amounts to the same thing.
Russia is now the master of the politics
of the Old World, and she is pressing
against the interests of England in man
ner which indicates England must speedily
resist or lose not only her prestige but
her commercial and strategic advantages
il! the Orient.
Russia and France are acting together
in all things. They made an effort TO
bring Germany into their alliance, but my
informant says they nave not yet sue
ceeded. Germany'S quick and dramatic
movement at kiao-Chau was without the
tacit sanction or even the knowledge OF
the other two powers. The kaiser. fully
aware of Russia's insidious encroachments
he did would be upheld by Russia and
France, as his support was wanted IN the
event of crisis. So he decided TO rush IN
and secure valuable bit of territory 1or
himself, instead of trusting to the gener-
oSity of Russia later on.
Il am further informed that the burning
question in the British government to-day
Is whether or not RussiaS encroachmentS
can be further tolerated. The ear has
seized Korea. He has seized Port Arthur.
He is bearing down upon all Northern
China. II England does not make stand
| now. when is she to make 1t? II she SUD
mits. her prestige will rapidly diminish.
If she shows the white feather In the face
of this threatening alliance against her
and these bold aggressions upon her posi-
destroyed? On the other hand. IL England
makes a diplomatic stand. demands equal
equal rights with Germany in Kiao-Chou.
and the allies refuse to grant them. "aF
will be the result.
Russia on the land and France and Ger
many on the sea. Her only possible ally
is Japan and If the the Jananese, ,t are re- gov %
suit of such a mighty war. In which they
| would be only a featherweight. instead OF
rushing In where they y, would ,hs ms s4rsy r,ns De
| gland fears on land. France the power
| she fears on the sea. and Russia and
| France are in alliance. The French navy
is not as much inferior to the British
| navy as has been supposed In number
| of modern guns carrying proJectiles more
ships. France and Germany together out
| strip England
MY informant says that the dream Of
| Russian statesmen is to make themselves
| master of all Asia, excepting India. Per
sia and Turkey. and the possessions which
France has on the southeast coast. En-
| glands great bugbear is a fear that Rus
| sia is seeking to surround and ultimately
| to take India. but however this may have
beer, in the past, there is nothing to base
| told Russia has no designs on India. but
that she does want pretty much every
thing else in Asia. France is ambitious
| East. and Germany is ambitious in every
| direction. The kaiser would countenancs
agsressions in South & or North h,1ala America, "a.
had chance for success and display OF
| his prowess.
| "Having taken France actually into her
! game. and Germany sympatheticahy. Rus
/ sia has completely isolated Great Britain.
| English prestige in the affairs of the world
danger as 1t is at the present moment.
rousing to the need OF action. In the
| opinion Of the diplomatic authority which
I have quoted. the situation IS grave one.
The great European war may not come.
| but 1t Is dangerously near.
| Il am also informed that for time
| Russia and France were concerned as to
| the possible attitude of the United States.
| They were anxious lest this nation should
| turn up as an ally of Great Britain. Their
! foreign officers have now become con-
| vinced that the United States will MAIN
tain strictly neutral attitude. and that
| Cur only interest in China is to see that
the treaties between this nation and China
| are not violated. England can find no
| strong ally or this side of the water. She
| can find none on the other side. England
| is in corner. and the question among
the diplomatists Is, will she make stand
at the risk of war; or will she surrender
her prestige without show of courageous