The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-12

procured but only IN such uue]i.
are necessary for naVisauoh " 81
iigerent countries" Since Seattle, our
nearest harbor. Is 400 miles from Noko-
hama our ships should have no dlin-
only in securing needed supplies. II -
reported that the government at the
roouoat OF the Spanish Minister has for
hidden the transmission OF cypher dis
patches 20 the United States Minister.
VIII China declare neuuahty9 10
European nation, in case OF war; woulu
be likely TO pay any attention 70 az.
declaration poor oid emma hlisnV
make. but Uncle Sam has conscientious
scruples. and Is not in the habit OF bully
inc n weaker power because 1t Is I'M
patent. Poor old Chinal She IL COM
pellcd TO admit modern improvements
which she cordially hates. ELECTRICITY
steam. and o Der inventions Of this cen
turv. are deadly when controled Dy tuV
unaccustOmed hands OF Plg-t@l Johh.
on the 18th Of last month a Cmhess
guard boat started down the river ri
canton with nav for the troops. IL was
found necessary TO anchor at place
infested by pirates and the captain clear
Cd for action and loaded his guns 10 be
prepared for a visit Of these gentry, ana
with a view 20 prompt action left the
doors OF the magazine wide open. The
watch on deck selected the Vicinity OF
the magazine to refresh themselves with
a whit Of opium, and the captain 20
ntelv requested them 10 favor some oln-
er locality, but they were comIortaoIe'
thank Won. and trusted 20 luck. sud
denly eighteen pounds Of powder explod-
ed and an the guns were discharged
simultaneously. Three Of the wounded,
whose clothes were on fire, jumped into
the river. preferring the horror Of bath
10 death By fire. The captain got lnto
a boat and picked up his men. The nun
NJ the boat was not DANA ged, but the
pirates were scared and the next DAY
the guard boat resumed It's voyage IT
no other mlshaps occur. II may reach
its destination. II his Imperial Majesty
KuanP-Su were as liberal in bestowing
orders as the King Of Siam Is reported
TO ba. the captain Of this boat should
be Knighted. although 80 must be ad-
mitted that the desirabihty OF the honor
is somewhat doubtful. An italian re-
ceivcd the Grand Cross Of the Siamese
Crown for painting one Of His Majesty
wives from q photograph. inc kihf
presented the cross I'm person remarkhg
graciously: "This cross will enuue you
To marry twelve wives. II IS a distinc-
ton l seldom confer. 50 ] nope you VIII
make good use Of IT.
INFLUENCE IN THE FAR EAST.
Tho attitude of the United states Gov
eminent I'm forcibly taking spain 10 TASK
IS exerting an incredible influence upon
affairs I'm the Far East There IS not
little apprehension I'm certain quarters
that this new factor may combine Win
Great Britain. The immediate conse-
quence. now plainly percepuole' is
marked pause I'm the landgrabhlng pro
cess so that China owes a grateful re-
ypite 10 the humanitarian principles OF
Uncle Sam. Russis and France nave
been bullying the members Of the IsunR
vamen CForeign Ofice) ~ Pcking 10
secure the dismissal OF Sir Robert Hart
the trusty autocrat Of the Chinese Gus
toms. thew suddenly desisted, and Sir
Robert Is installed as firmly as ever
Russia has condescended to come 10 an
understaN 'lng with japan. Here are the
principal clauses as given by the JIM
1. That Russia promises Japan not 20
raise any objection 10 Japan under
takings in Korea I'm developing the In
dllstrv and commerce Of that country.
. THAT a preliminary notice snail ne
given by Russia TO Japan In order 20
ohtain the consent Of the latter In the
event OF Russia being asked 10 supply
administrators and advisers for var
ious public works in Korea. Japan shali
adopt the same course in similar cir
cumstances.
So Russia has suspended her aggravat-
inc tactics and has. temporarily at least.
renowned her designs upon the wretched
peninsula. But Japan has prohted tar
more by the trepidation caused by Amer
teas attitude. She has obtained pledge
from China that Fuh KEN, 'Ohe pro-
vince oDDOsite FormOsa), shall not be
ceded or leased. More than that! IL IS
reported that Marquis Ito has succeeded
in leasing AmOy-an important port near
Hong Kong, for a term OF years Lease
and cesson are fairly synonymous Wnere
China is concerned, and so Japan mas
gained n foothold upon the Continent OF
Asia. and a port much coveted by France
without even a protest from our sister
republic. The fact IS that the great
powers OF Europe realize that the slight
est move may let loose the dogs OF war
With huge armies at their disposal with
costly fleets breasting the waves OF the
Pacific. they know that war must brlne
calamity 10 some one. and no one -
anxious 10 incur the risk. Uncle sam.
not being in the landgrabbing business
entered into the present contest for a
principle. and goes at It in a business
like way The question under discus
sion here IS: Who will pay the damage?
Spain pretends TO be fighting Tor honor.
Well. she will have the honor Of footing
the bill, but as she has neither money
nor credit, and as Uncle sam, however
ma unanimous, IS too good business
man TO lose sight OF the Or. side of the
ledger. the Government at Washington
may be compelled 10 indemnify itself
with the Philippine Islands; and the
possession Of those islands will make
the United States an interested and lead
ing factor In Far Eastern politics.
TTrD rVDA PEI A TTONG
I wish that I could impress your read
ers with the real importance Of this
awakening OF the Great Republic. our
trade with China and Japan Is growing
fast. Notwithstanding the fact that the
American merchant labored under the
disadvantage Of being looked down unon
by the Oriental who only bows before
superior strength. The attitude OF the
United states has. even now. exerted
a favorable influence upon trade. II IS
almost incredible TO state the growth IN
demand OF American productions To
mention one instance. The Baldwin
Locomotive Works have sold several
hundred engines 70 the japanese; the
Rogers. the Brooks. have had several
orders. The Schenectady Locomotive
Works recently sent out a Mr.. y. w.
Griffith who secured orders for six and
twelve locomotives respectively. ! have
been watching 20 see II the enterprising
Richmond Locomotive Works. would not
get a finger in the pie. There is de-
mand, a steady and growing demand
for our manufactures. both in China and
Japan. and nothing but the present de-
cided assertion OF our policy was needed
TO give a grand impetus 20 our trade
The greatly enhanced respect for O'd
Glory will be no slight factor in promot-
IN, tbo ca fatv of ron, rnercia1 qnferpriee