Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-03
THE FAR EAST CRISIS.

| The startling dlspalcn lIoH St
| Petersburg to the London Daily Tele-
| graph. giving interviews with Russian
admiral and a Russian diplomat, respec-
lively. is what is known in newspaper
Variance as very live matter. But those
acquainted with Russian methods will
| be inclined to await further developments
before accepting the interviews as en-
bodying a serious declaration of Russia's
purposes and policy. The Russian admi-
raj is quoted as stating that the whole
marine force of the empire will be sent
to the far East, that Russia will not
permit the opening of a new port, either
at Port Arthur or Ta-Lien-Wan, and that
Russia. France and Germany will al
low no European Power TO carry out
any attempt against their interests under
the pretext of encouraging Chino-Euro-
pean trade. Thus ne hints at an alliance
of Russia, Germany and France as
against Great Britain in the far East.
The Russian diplomat is represented
as saying that in the spring Great Britain
will no longer occupy herself with the
Chinese question. but will find it neces-
sary to devote her strength and her
energy 10 India where a revolt more
serious than the sepoy mutiny is about
to break out; also. that Russia will, when
the revolt does occur. be able to pene-
trate, without difficulty, through Afghan
istan and the Pamirs to the In
dian possessions of Great Britain, to
whom she will dictate terms.
There are several things that initiate
against the contention that these decla-
rations should be taken very seriously,
or, at least, should be taken, as some
interpret them, TO embrace a serious
menace and defiance to Great Britain.
Utterances of the character of those
under discussion, made by high Russian
officials, are generally inspired 'feelers"
and generally mean what they do not
say. IT is exceedingly doubtful whether
the naval force Russia, France, and
Germany could, in combination. safely
dispatch to Chinese waters, would be able
to cope with the naval alliance Great
Britain and Japan could oppose TO it in
that quarter. Russia has already shot
her arrow on the Indian border, and it
has fallen short of the mark. Despite
occasional reverses to her troops, Great
Britain has the revolt well in hand, and
there is every reason TO believe that with
the opening Of spring it will be crushed
out beyond the hope of revival. Touching
the matter of the continental tripartte
alliance at which the Russian adj
miral limited, it may be stated that Ger
many is now said to be in accord with
Great Britain on the main issue. Aside
from that, however, it should be remem-
bered that Germany might, in the pre-
misses, have to account to her friends
of the Dreibund, whose continued friend
ship is likely to be of infinitely more
value to her than would be anything she
would gain by combining with Russia and
France against Great Britain in the
Chinese crisis.
AS to the report that Great Britain has
receded from her demand regarding the
making of Ta-Lien-Wan a free port, that,
too we think, is not likely to be taken
very seriously. Even if it is true. there
is no reason to accept it as indicating |
backdown by Great Britain from her |
policy of firmness respecting the far
East question, seeing that the whole |
British people. regardless of parties, are |
behind that policy.
The broad issue is one on which 1t is
pretty certain the masses will not allow |
the government to be bulhed. In short |
II is safe to assume that the last word |
in the settlement OF the far East question |
has not been spoken, and that when it is |
spoken it will be spoken by Great Britain |
Considering the excited state of popular |
feeling in Great Britain over the st. |
Petersburg interviews, the final word |
may come Immediately as an answer to |
these feelers. But whether it is uttered |
now or in the near future, it is likely to |
be decisive.