The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-24
ITS WATCHING
AND WAITING
For an Opportunity to Strike Crush
ing Blow.
CHINA AND THE POWERS HIS FOE
russia AggrayatIng I'm the Extreme
and Using Germany 10 Pull Her
Chestnuts Out Of the Fire.
Ito's Clever Tricks.
fcorrespondent Of The Times.l

yer, there Is no change in the political
situation. The steady and influential
JiY Shimpo has come out IN series OF
not less than ten articles TO urge further
expaI SION OF the navy. These articles
like most Of those appearing in Mr. Fuku-
zswa's paper are well and logically writ
ten. They demonstrate the necessity of
increasing the navy to 100000 tons Snd
also the ability OF the people 10 bear the
increase Of taxation. There is no doubt
whatever that tho next Diet will agree
70 whatever the government may propose
IN that direction. The elections Will
occur on the 25th OF March. but II is not
known al what date the Legislature will
meet am strongly inclined TO the
opinion that Russia will force Japan's
hands and that the early spring VIII
witness the opening of hostilities.
The papers do not seem 10 grasp the
portentous signs Of the time or II they
do. they are patriotic enough to preserve
silence. Thr Mainichi Shimbun says that
there Is no question that the purpose OF
Russia. ENGLAND. Germany and France IS
20 divide the control of the far east be-
fore japan has carried her post bellum
measures 10 completion. Russia's ann
IS 10 obtain possession of the Lao TUng
Peninsula. thus securing command OF the
entrance 10 the Gulf of Petchih. After
that she hopes 10 drive the Chinese gov
eminent from Pskin 10 Marking and
make herself mistress Of the whole OF
Nanchuria. as well as of the Korean
Peninsula Germany. aided by Russia
sesks 10 acquire the Shantung Promon-
tory and to establish a firm alliance with
Russia in the far east England. aware
OF the plans entertained by Russia and
Germany. aims at placing obstacles IN
their paths before their naval strength
in eastern waters develops large proper
tions. and at the same time. seeks 10 Sc
cure for herself a share Of power not
inferior TO that held by them In COM
bination, so as to advance her own posi-
ton in tho Far East As for France
without allowing herself To De dra"h
into the vortex Of the struggle between
Germany. Russia and England. she wants
To stand in the position of an independ-
ont outsider so as 20 secure. at the cost
Of comparatively lit,la toll. the most I'M
portant points in southern China and
lions share Of pront
ITO is WATCHING.
ouote this at length 10 give fair idea
Of the japanese conception OF the sltua-
ton. Ii is erroneous. Of course because
the Japanese have q very eXtravaGah'
iaoa of their Importance. and fondiy I'M
agine that every European power Is court
Ing an alliance with so strong a nation.
The government knows better. Ito has
not forgotten the snub ne received when
ne suggested the idea TO the BRUSH gov
eminent last year But Ito Il watching.
His face. exprcssionless save for the
searching look in his eyes. may conceal
his anticipations Of the grave crisis con-
fronting his country. but | doubt II he
will be found mapping. Let the three
combined powers-Russia, Germany ana
France-furnish Ito with an opportunity
70 strike a crushing blow. and he Will not
wait 10 issue a declaration Of war. ] am
not in love with the japanese; no white
man can be when he Witnesses their SUI
perci,iousness and conceited ovcrbearing;
but nv sympathy or antipathy does not
interest your readers. and fairness COM
pels the admission that if japan strikes,
she has been goaded TO IL by the dis
tinctly hostile acts Of Russia.
Admitting that Japan's acts while she
was I'm possession of Korea were impolitic
and even brutal she has since the Yam
agate Treaty with Russia, held herself
strictly within the articles Of that agree
mcnt. while Russia has not observed one
single clause. If the violation of treaty,
without noticing The especially aggravat-
ing circums tances. does not constitute
cause Of war. what does? Japan feels all
the more sore because she was made
ridiculous. Russia compels Japan TO re-
store the Liao-tung Peninsula to China
upon the ground that the peace Of the
Far East demands the integrity of the
Chinese Empire. and then serenely pro-
ceeds TO disintcgrate the Middle Kingdom
at her leisure. As II that was not aggra-
waiting enough. she quietly. steadily and
stealthily pushes the Japanese out of
Korea. until the Japanese wish that they
had left China and Korea alone. And
now Japan needs money The prepara-
lions made by her in ordering warships.
etc. have involved large outlay and
trusting 10 international law. she has
counted upon the balance of the indemni-
" due on the Sth of May. Now mark
my words IL Russia can prevent IT. ia
pan will not get another penny unless
she can wiring 1t out Of China al the
swords point ana - 40 that she must
light the three powers first. II does seem
bard and it certainly is agains; all rules
OF morality. But there is no morality in
international politics. Might Is richt. wit
ness the occupation Of the Shantung
Peninsula b. Germany Japan buliied
Korea TO her hearts content. and Il looks
as II she would receive q dose Of her own
medicine. And yeti don't know. A Jap.
anese is not q Korean. / viii DO full JUS
nee 10 them by confessing that | do not
Know OF one nation where patriotism is
so rampant as I'm Dai Nippon.
have often been puzzled why Germany
selected kyao-Chao. For trading PURPOSES
II is no good. Chefoo on the north coast
OF the Shantung Peninsula has been an
M
amount 10 much. so far as impor,ations
are concerned. do not believe that there
Is coal on the Peninsula. and to calculate
upon III Hung Changs kaiping mines or
upon Japan to furnish the fuel would
make II rather expensive strategically.
ihat - looking TO the ocean. it is OF no
importance. But believe that | know
now why TITS harbor was chosen
SOME CUTE TRICKS.
Ryao Chao is so far In the bend made
In the coast by the Shan tung Peninsula
that II Is out of the course OF all shlps
The harbor is large enough to admit any
number of vessels and exceedingly con-
venient 10 land stealthily any number OF
troops. Transports can come and 20
without anyone being the wiser and
march quietly upon Wei-Hai-Wel. The
japanese are In possession Of this strong
hold, and. / understand, are terrifying
~. Indeed I know that a steamer has
been requisitioned and mas carried war
supplies. Wei-Hai-Wci can easily be
made impregnable from the sea side. but
from land IL Is another thing and very
neat surprise could be affected. AS far
as the natives are concerned I firmly
believe that they have less antipathy for
foreigner than for q Japanese. Your
readers have no idea how that naticn Is