The herald., 1898-05-22
CUR ASIATIC ASSET

The growth of the great nations of the
earth is at the expense Of the weaker
nations-the nations that are dying. Ma
tions which do not go ahead are sure
to fall behind. Among the dying nations
are the Turks, the Chinese and the Span
ish branch Of the I.atins. Measured by
the calendar their decay may seem slow,
but 1t is none the less certain. And as
the big fish proverblally eat the little
fish, so will the weakling nations in time
be absorbed by their more powerful
ueishbors. The appetites of the strong
md vigorous. naturally voracious, are
constantly stimulated by the tempting
nature of the viands they feed upon
Each is restrained from absolute glut-
tony only by fear of attack by an equally
hungry rival. The carcass OF the dead
power is sure to be eventually stripped
to the bone. These things, however, are
not always accomplished at one sitting.
The tendency is rather to achieve the
same result piecemeal. In its scrap with
the japanese bantling the Chinese tur-
key was so crippled that it became easy
prey for the big fowls of the European
barnyard. Pagan bullets brought ii
down-Christian butcher knives are be-
ing whetted to carve it. The work really
began before life was wholly extinct.
"Of course" said Lord Salisbury, in re-
cent speech, cit is not to be supposed
that any one nation will be allowed to
have the profitable monopoly of curing or
cutting up the patient"
Much less should it be supposed that
Great Britain, the greatest maritime
power extant, with vast interests in the
orient, would complacently stand aside
and permit Russia, France and Germany
TO gorge themselves with the Monaghan
carcass. 1t has been limited that her at
titude upon this question is wholly dis
interested ard philanthropic-thet what
she demands for herself she is
willing to divide with the whole
world-that she is disposed even to
literally help the United States, should
its plate be passed. Broadly speaking
British policy does present fewer selfish
aspects than that of the other powers,
but we have only to study history to
be convinced that England is tradition
ally disposed to receive a consideration
for every favor extended. We have but
to traverse the public declarations of
English statesmen of the period, in ex-
PLANTATION and defense of their policy in
the far east to be satisfied that full pro-
vision is made for sating the Albion ap-
petite before any other people is served.
Lord Salisbury has graciously said that
1--WE shall not be jealous if desola ton ard
sterility are removed by the aggrandize-
ment of rival in regions to which our
arms do not extend"-that is to say.
Great Britain asks for nothing its claws
may not cover-but he is quite as en-
phatic and assuring in his declaration
that 1--WE should not allow England to be
at disadvantage in any Encouragement
that shall take place."
No fault can be found with that propo-
eltion. Great Britain is only doing what
any other great nation would do under
similar circumstances. She is fighting
for self-preservation; fighting for the
maintenance of the balance of power in
Europe; to prevent other nations from
strengthening themselves with nutri-
ment that as much belongs to her as
to them.
II Great Britain feels her weakness
gnd appreciates her ;solation--and thu
latc utterances of Mr.. Chamberlain a
Birmingham are taken as confession
II Il the most natural thing in the