Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-19
ENGLAND SEEKS AID To CHECK
MATE THE RUSSIANS.
ALL ASIA'S TRADE INVOLVED
EUROPE DISTURBED By PROSPECTS
OF THE ALLIANCE.
Russia and Her Allies Say That IL Is
u British Diplomatic Trap-En-
gland aud America Coming
Closer Together
Daily.

LONDON Dec 1S.-It is not France thar
is disturbing Europe The true cause or
anxiety which prevails in all the European
capitals lies in the active preparations Tor
war which Great Britain still continues 10
make notwithstanding the retirement OF
France from Fashoda- on the one hand. ana
the czar's almost pathetic appeal. through
Editor Stead, for assurances that his peace
conference programme will be supported
These ceaseless war preparations gain a
dread significance in Europe. when they
are coupled with some sort of alliance or
plan of action with the United States Sal
isbury wants the United States to help him
check RuSsia's progress in Northern Asia.
and il is believed everywhere that he will
entangle US in the war situation. if neCes-
sary. Already Russia has begun to regard
the Americans with surprise and susplcioA.
An American gentleman. who has Travelled
steadily for more than a year over the
vast trans-Siberian and trans-Caspian raiI
ways and who has just returned to Lon
don. says that he has been taken by train
to the Persian frontier. to the Indian from
tier. and to the Chinese frontier. and that
Russian troops are being moved about WITH
an ease which shows that Russia can pres
entity concentrate 10000 soldiers at any
point on the frontiers. and that British
supremacy on the sea cannot alter the fact
that Russia will drain the whole trade of
Asia through her mighty railway system.
which is far beyond the reach of British
warships.
1t is this tremendous fact that lmpels
British craftsmanship TO seek to alienats
the United States from Russia and to con-
vert Russia into an enemy rather than
a friend. British spies are watching every
foot of railway construction along the
Asiatic frontier. Salisbury cannot dispute
Russias right to peacefully develop her
railways within her own borders and 50
she seeks 10 force the open door issue
and to drag the United States into the
quarrel.
1t is said in Europe that Secretary OF
state John Hay is pro-British and anti
Russian, and that ne has privately SAID
that he knew. as Lincoln's private secrc-
tary. that the popular story Of Russia
having prevented Great Britain from open
ly interfering in our civil war was a myth.
However. the indications are that unless
the American people awaken TO the tTUe
significance Of the British side OF the An
Elo-American movement. Russia and the
uited States VIII soon be upon terms OF
bitter eumity.
The Russians point out that it would be
a fatal mistake for Americans to fah INTO
this British diplomatic trap. Russia want.
to buy from the United States. Great Brit
ain wants to sell. However. salisbury will
soon have a chance to show how much dis
States there is in the British policy of the
foreign Office. He has received private in
timations from the highest source In Wash
| inston that Mckinley has decided TO bring
up the Clayton-Bulwer treaty for discus
sion between the two governments. AMI
that the United States will insist upon its
right 10 build and exclusively control tho
Eicaraguan canal. with the consent of the
NicaraSuan government.
This Is the first intimation that the ab-
rogatiOn of the Clayton -Bulwer treaty is
about TO leave the sphere OF academies
and enter upon a final practical stage OF
friend of Joseph Chamberlain saws
that Lord Salisbury will consent to the
American control of the canal Drovidei
the United States will give quid pro quo,
hat man has only to talk 10 high British
officials. whether In the army or navy or
In the civil service, TO know that tho
"quid' in this case means that the United
States shall Join in movement to cripple
and, If possible. to crush our old friend
Russia. That Is TO say England will per
nit the American government to build
and control the NiCIragUan canal without
any more than q formal protest provided
the United States engages to support a
| British war upon her rival in Asia In
C!dentally the fact IS mentioned that the
| Auglo-Ams A rican League in London has
| formerly asked consent to place a statue
of George Washington in Westminster
abbey and that Dean Bradley has declined
70 consent except upon conditions which
the league considers impossible. The George
| Washington monument scheme has been
temporarily abandoned