Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-06
THURSDAY. JANUARY 6, 1898
OPEN CHINESE PORTS.

According TO the Manchester (EnglanO
cuardian-and the Gnardian's Informal
zion IL confirmed by a statement IN the
I.ondon Times-Grcat Britain has spoken
IN M uncertain tones in defining her
nosition in respect of 1.-The partition Of
china Dropping meaningless and OBJ
scure displomatic language apd coming
down 10 plain English, she has declared
that there shall be no partition she mas
me, the contention Of the ST. Petersburg
rress--an inspired contention, of course
mar -,sr hands were tied in China, owing
10 her troubles in India, by announcing
that she will refuse to recognize any
s,,.cial rights that may be granted in
China to any particular Power or COM
binatien of Powers. She says that
WHEREVER. in Chinese waters, the war
ships of any other European Power may
winter there, also. her warships shaN
winter. II she so wills. If Germany or
France or Russia SEXES Chinese port
with or without the consent OF China'
Great Britain Will she declares, make II
an orer mort. she serves notice that II
T,ussii or France or Germany or all
of these Powers III 0AlAeA~~f ~F---i-
chinese Government TO make concessions
10 them. separately or collectively she
win not submit to the advantages OF
these concessions being restricted 10 any
ono Of these grabbers or any combination
~ them. but will insist that they be en-
3oved bv Great Britain and the rest Of
the world.
And in this instance insistence means
s,,rca. to back it. if necessary. In nego-
fiations bearing upon the preservation
of the balance of power and Affecting
british prestige. Great Britain may often
rssort TO bluffing, and may often say what
she doesn't mean. But when a complica-
zion arises seriously involving her trade
interests and policy, she is never ampi-
.,nous. and what she says must be con-
strued literally. She speaks directly to
the point and means all she says.
The Chinese issue involves to Britain
smmense trade interests, and the posi-
zion she has taken respecting It is en-
.,reiv consistent with her time-honored
trade Motley. This must be admitted,
hoxever much we may reprobate her
course in dealing with many other
questions. both home and foreign. De-
, ,sn,te the many acts of injustice and sell
ashness that are rightfully charged up
against her. it is but justice to recognize
sbat in this matter she is entitled to our
moral support. seeing that in fighting
ber own trade battle in the far East she
A. also fighting our trade battle in that
,,,arter. The enforcement of Great
Brltain's declaration means that every
inch Of Chinese territory seized or ae-
ouired by European nation or any com
b,nation Of European nations, SHAH be as
free 70 the trade of the United States as
q win be TO the trade OK Britain, ana
,his advantage will have been secured to
ms IN the face Of the fact that by the
Afonroe doctrine we are estopped ourselves
from taking an active part TO secure IT,
AS TO the question whether the attitude
of Great Britain Will result in hosuliues'
we are inclined 10 think that II VIII not.
Great Britain is unquestionaoly backed
bv Japan. ana as the former now practi-
.anv stands for the integrity of the
chinese empire and has thus renewed her
erin iipon China, the other side will pro-
baby think twice before inviting set
Element by force Of arms.