Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-02
BEGAN
CFor The Dlspatch.)

ears to hear the ominous rumblings o
another gathering. The most optomisti'
student OF events in the far East admits
that sooner or later Russia and Great
Britain must fight over tho Chinese ques
ton. The latest so-callcd triumph Of
Russian diplomacy. by which British
moves were checked and China appa-
rently made 20 flop from her friendly at
titude 10 Britain inio the arms Of the
-Russia-has exaspcrated the Bri-
tish so much that, as one expresses it:
Much more, and the guns win go OF
OF their own accord"
THE OPEN-DOOR POLICY.
In the whlrl OF diplomatic strife in the
Orient. where the politician who wins a
point for the nation he serves finds on
the day following that a rival statesman
has secured the ear Of the unstable Mon
golian and reversed the move. Great
Britain has just met with defeat In one
Of her pet protects. In pursuance Of
the "open-door' fight, a struggle for the
NremOval Of barriers - free trade in the
vast market Of China, in which Great
1plllalu MS UiNl UdtNAiiS ANA ANU iNetA
interests as well as her own. an agree
ment was made with the Pekin Govern
ment whereby it was understood that
British influence should dominate the
Yang-tse-Kiang Valley, and that this
vast area should be opened for all time
10 the merchants of the world.
So important was this concession TO
British and American commercial inter-
ests, that when Lord Salisbury came out
publicly with the assurance that nothing
would be allowed 10 interfere with the
carrying out Of the contract that gave
10 the British supremacy in one portion
OF China, his former vacillating and in
comprehensive policy was overlooked, and
the day OF unyielding firmness welcomed.
IT seems that this rejoicing was prema-
ture, for 1t is admitted by British states
mon that Russia ordered China to break
her agreement with Queen Victoria's Gov
eminent, and that instead of refusing,
IN dread of the Lions wrath she al
lowed herself TO be brought over body
and soul by the Russian bear.
A RAILROAD in ISSUE.
To go back little, IN order that the |
situation may be understood by those |
10 whom events In the far East are I'M |
familiar, the direct point at issue is a |
railroad running from Tiensin northward, |
and Intended 10 reach Newchwang, a city |
that is built on the IAau-Tung peninsula, |
where are situated the towns and har-
bors Of Port Arthur and Talienwan. which /
were leased by the Chinese to Russia. |
The capital for the construction of this
railroad was TO have been furnished by |
the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, a
British organization, and the money adj
Yanced was 90 have been secured by a
mortgage on the property.
The action that has Just caused so much
CONSERVATION was the refusal of the !
Tsung-n-Yamen TO allow this deal to be
made, which refusal, IL is known, was
directly prompted by the Russian Gov
ernment. The Chinese method of break
ing the agreement with the British was
10 refuse TO sanction the granting of the
mortgage; Of course without It's money
being secured the Hongkong and Shang-
hal Bank could not make the required
advance, and so the whole plan was
wrecked. II
. RUSSIAN INFLUENCE BACK oF1T.
This is not the worst Sote excuse
might have been found for the Russian
Governments successful undoins of Bri-
tish plans to build a railroad ID New !
chwang, which would be menace todm-
portant strategic points owned BIS Russia.
but the fact that the railroad fs to be
under Russian influences and
that the Chinese have broken an agree
nent with Britain only TO make the same ,
agreement with Britains great rival and
avowed enemy is what caused red-hot
wave Of indignation TO sweep through the !
British empire. It is admitted everywhere :,
that a crisis Is imminent.
The only excuse that can be found for :
this last humiliation being allowed to pass ;
In silence is that queen Victoria, and 1
not Lord Salisbury. is responsible. 1t is =
stated that the aged Queen is unalterably !
opposed TO having the closing years of her =
reign darkened by n bloody war. With I,
The British however. much as they rever- :
snoe their queen, the empire is first and .
no sentimental notions will stand in the =
way of a declaration of war unless in ;,
some manner, not at present possible TO :
ioresee, the atmosphere in the Orient -
'lears. -
THE RESULT OF A WAR. v
What would be the result of war be- n
ween Russia and Great Britain? This is s
he question that is being discussed n
wherever the queens subjects gather I
Whether or not the belief is founded on a c
,oor basis, Il is certain that the people Of s.
his country have a deep-rooted convic- n
ion that when the clash comes Americans ]
viii be found side by side with Britons in r,
he eastern struggle. 1t is argued that o.
he interests Of Great Britain and the A
United States in the Orient are identical.
When Britons fight for the "open-door" Il
olicy they fight for 1t as much on Amen- ri
as account as their own. Furthermore, S
is argued, British sympathy was so "a
trongly and sincerely shown In Americas S,
'ar with Spain that the sympathy of II
merica with great Britain in her coming tC
ght with Russia is bound to be sponta-
eous and earnest As TO whether or not
will extend to the United States troops
nd ships fighting side by side with those n
{ Great Britain opinions are divided
ONE argue that America has just had
ar on her hands and has had enough
citing for a long time 90 come. Others
8duct the very opposite from this argu- Il
ent. saying that the Americans have n
Isted of the fierce JOY Of battle and are CO
ger 10 try their victorious ships and sol r.
ers on other foes 10 freedom. tr
A FORMIDABLE COMBINATION. N
on the Continent, where France is ex- %
cted TO ally herself with Russia IN the "a
INT with Britain. the prospect Of -,meri- ne
IS siding with the latter is regarded with ~,
nsiderable uneasiness. 1t is realized ~
al against Great Britain alone. with the -
ssible alliance OF japan, Russia, and ~
'ance would have their hands full. al
sainst combination that includes The IA
lited States and Great Britain, the hope fif
ssness OF a fight by Russia and France IN
too convincing. co
Cooler heads among the British diplo- be
ats feel assured that Russia aas DO in ge
ntion Of allowing herself To DC drawn y
10 a conflict with Great Britain. 81,
one prominent statesman sums up the | -
N IN, | 4