Washington sentinel., 1898-01-15

Russia announced that in future he
would "advise" the Korean Government
in finance and audit their accounts. II
Is not quite certain what has happened
since. but we believe that Mr.. McLeavy
Brown has reported the matter, through
Sir Robert Hart, the Inspector General
OF Customs, to the British Government.
and quietly remains at his post ignoring
NJ. Alexieff. II is perfectly
certain that we shall not allow Russia to
coerce the sung Il Yamen into dismis-
sing Sir Robert Hart and placing
Russian at the head Of the Customs
service
The position and intentions of Japan
are of much greater importance, Two
things are obvious to anybody who
closely follows Far Eastern politics, first,
that Japan is armiDg in all haste to op-
pose the ambitions of Russia; and second,
that the present complication has come
too soon for her convenience.
Yesterday. with much tlmeliness, ap-
peared an interesting and valuable
"Report on the State OF Trade in Japan"
by MIR. Byron BTenan, our Consul Gen
eral there. It's full Of statistics concern
ing the advance of Japan. For example.
IN twenty six years, that IS, since the
mode n period began tor Japan, her
foreign trade has increased from As, ,ooo,-
ooo dolls. to 2S3 COO, 900 dolls.
Mr.. Brenan foretells a coming period of
financial stringency, with rapidly in
creasing taxation to maintain an equilIb-
rum. This cannot but react upon
trade, and must also affect the position
of the British merchant IN Japan who,
IN two years time, will pass under
Japanese jurisdiction, and will have in
common with the native to bear his
share Of the national expenditure.
This nrasterly report makes II clearer
than ever that the astounding enterprise
and progress and courage of Japan have
brought her to a critical point in her
national history. She is, therefore, very
UNLIKELY to rush into unnecessary foreign
complications at'such moment. and in
the Marquis Ito, who will probably now
return to power, we shall have an add.
tional guarantee OF sober and wisely
patr oticpolicy.
Daily Graphic London, Dec. 79.
Whether Germany has an understand
ing with England. or with Russia, or
whether Japan inclines to Russia or to
England, is impossible to tell, The
British welcome to the German squadron
at Portsmouth and Gibraltar would be
significant, were it not for the Kaiser's
speech the other day. in which he em.
phasized the identity OF his views with
those Of the Gar. Again, the trend Of
Far Eastern politics during the last few
years would incline US to regard a rap
pY0chSHsnf between this country and
Japan as fundamental element of the
situation; but here again we are warned
against hasty assumptions BY the very
positive statement made by the Japanese
Minister IN Paris last week that the iu-
terests OF his country were bound up
with ''une entente amicale avec la
Russie." On the whole, we are still
inclined to think that a great fuss is being
made with very scant reason.
LariY Maik-Londop, Dec. ~
Having save China IRON Japan, Rus
sia at once proceeded to take from her
whatever seemed to secure the perpetu-
alton Of her own political ascendency
and the promise OF lucrative commerce.
France was content with doing jacka's
work for Russia; GERMANY, whose only
object was to prevent France enjoying
a monopoly Oi Muscovlte favors, got
nothing. And so, by the Cassin; con-
ventioD, no one was profted except
Russia, who got the right to construct
the Manchurian railway, the use of Port
Arthur. and-Kiao Chau. In the
Far East the K ,iser saw England's com
merce threatened by Russian annexa-
tion, or, at least, by the growth OF Rus
sian influence. He saw too, Japan still
sore after being robbed of her victory.
These two powers must have a common
cause, and. If he could not array them
on his side, he could, at any rate, array
himself on theirs. Hence the seizure Of
a port already hypothecated to Russia.
BY declaring himself Russia's rival, he
proclaimed himself England's friend.
So far the policy has not Deen very sue.
cessful--for England is quite able to do
her own work unaided; and ii she needs
an ally, Japan is at hand
Dafly E.FPyeS-DubIin, Dec as.
AS Russia is Chlna's most powerful
neighbor. and as England is her Chief
customer. trade rivalry between the two
European countries has long been IN.
evitable AS iaC as we are concerned,
il might remain a peaceful and legitl-
mate commercial rivalry. But Russia
has chosen TO use undue IN fiuence. and
it is OF our duty as well as of our adYan-
tage to rerist It. II should be the policy
OF England in the present IrisIs to resist
with determination the least encroach-
ment upon her esta blshed rights, but
not to be particularly anxious about
extending an empire so vast as almost
TO be cumbersome. An Anglo Japanese
alliance offers possibilities as attractive
for the purposes Of peace as for those of
war. Even Russian perseversn nee and
guile in commercial matters could make
little headway against the combined
industry, enterprise, and wealth of Eng
land and Japan.