New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-12
cgJyA.S RAILROAD TROUBLES.

The Mandarins are rapidly being confirmed In
their old belief concerning railroads, that they
are an invention of the devil. They formed that
belief years ago. when the first bit of railroad
was built In their empire and stray cody or
two got killed on the line. Then they cast out
the devil and his works by the summary process
OF tumbling rails and rolling stock together into
the river. where the bulk of them still lie. That
course can scarcely be followed ut the presen:
time. though doubtless many wish it could. For
the railroads now existing or about 10 be built
are bringing upon the empire such contention
and menace as il has not known since Cor
don conquered the Taipings Not content with
forcing the things into China. the foreign
Powers must needs wrangle over them and
make the Chinese Government the buffer be-
tween them in their smitngs. That is what
Great Britain and Russia are now doing and
before they get through with IT, no matter which
wins. China will probably be pounded into the
most shadowy simulacrum Of her former proud
iaderendence.
Here is the present situation. which we have
Already in part described: All Of China north
and east of Picking is claimed by Russia as her
e,lNre of influence. and the great central region
auth OF the capital, the Yang-tse Valley. is
by Great Britain In each Of these regions a
railroad is about to be built; In the former from
New-Chwang northeast TO Moukden and Krin.
IN the latter from Picking to Han-Kow. Both
enterprises must depend upon foreign capital.
ana II Is generally recognized that the nation
which owns the bonds Of q railroad will largely
control the road itself and the region through
which 1t runs. Now, the New-ChwaDg road
first turned to British bank for n loan. But
Russia objected She was unwilling that Brit
ish capital should be invested. and therefore
have influence. in the Russian sphere Of influ-
ence. And she has now succeeded in persuad-
ing or compelling China TO covenant that no
foreign capital shall be borrowed for that road.
and that no foreign control Of or interference
with it shall be permitted not even in case Of
default: Russia, OF course. not being reckoned
foreign Power So much for that. The Han
Kow railroad, in the British sphere. u,ust also
have foreign capital. and one would think II
should be British. But no. Russia exacts from
China this further condition that this railroad
shall he built with Russian capital, under
Franco-Belgian mask. and that in case Of dc
fault or any dispute the Power having the larg
est financial interest in It, TO w.t. Russia, shall
be arbitrator
That Is TO say. all railroads in the Russian
sphere OF influence shall be under absolute Rus
sian control But railroads in the British sphere
shall not be under British but likewise under
Russian control Great Britain must keep out
Of the Russian sphere. but Russia is TO be privi-
legged to enter the British sphere and control it
at will. That. briefly expressed. is the case as
It stands to-day. Great Britain's firm atti-
tude." announced so triumphantly few days
ago. seems to have had no other effect than 10
make Russia the more exacting and the more
lnasterful In enforcing her demands The "open
door, which Great Britain has insisted on main