The age-herald., 1898-01-23
JAPAN MAY PROVE
 A FIREBRAND Departure of Her War Fleet For
 Chinese Waters. UNLESS SHE IS RESTRA.. FED From ImpetuouS Action the Affair Nay
 Become of Great Y E- DIPLOMATIC GAME RESTING EngIand's Premier s Playing His Trumps, But sivantaae.
VOLUNTEERED THE MUsoovITE DESIGNS
On Port Arthur, As It Is of Little Strategic Value Without Talien yyan-Germany Alternately Caressing St. Peters,
 burg and London.

London, Jan. Nh1le events ere move ing with somewhat dramatic rapility in the far east, and complications y any day develop a situation fraught with mo- mentous dangers when the known facts and the position of affairs are analysed, there is really not much reason at the pres ent to suppose that a solution of the crisis will be found in a resort to war There are reasons to believe that diplomatic cir ces do not fear that it will be necessary to appeal to arms unless Japan breaks from her mentors. So far as the Egrspean powers are concerned the diplomats throughout are satisfied that the Chinese question will not break the peace of the world; but they have always feared Japan will prove firebrand. Unless she cal be restrained from mpetuous acton, the de- parture of her fleet from Yokohama today for Chinese waters may prove to be the striking of the match which may lead to a dreadful confiagration. Leaving out the possibility of war the diplomatic game is most interesting. The Marquis of Sails bury is slow in playing his trumps but unless Russia and FIancs have some up their sleeves, it would appear that he has a decided advantage, for the Brltish pre- mier has forced Russia to show her had. She no longer conceals the fact tnat she regards the whole of Manchuria and the Liao Tung peninsula as being her exclusive property but by insisting that Talcn Wan be made q treaty port the Marquis of Sails bury has countered the Muscoylte designs on Port Arthur, for the latter is of litte strategic value without Fallen Wan,
 France Resents Prnpasal
 France, of course, rcsent3 tlgs proro-al to, open Nan King, which would clash With her exclusive interests in Tonquin, while both Russia and France arc deeply con- cerne5 in Great Rritain's claim to xteni the Bur1nez rail-oad .nto the Chinese pro- vince of Yun Nan France has secured prvi'egge in Yum Nan which would be seriously discommoded by the British rail- road diverting to the ncrth, while rail- read from Rsngoon to Shanghai (which would be the natural outcome of Great Britains denrands) would be a d.saJtrous competitor of the Grrat Transatlantic line from Saanearla to Port Aruthur, which Russia is so laboriusly constructing.
 AS the Assoc;a.,d Prcs5 has indicated throughout, there seems to be an under standing between Germany and Great Britain, but Germany at the game time has so skilifully played her cards. alternately careesing St. Petersburg and London that the relations between 10th countries gre better than for a long time part The firm, eonfind.int tone of the British minis teria, utberap2es merely notice Russia and France, emphasizing that Great Britain does not intend, to rece6e from the main points of the position she has taken up and the cabinet ministers are merely voic- ing the determination of the country. which recognizes if Great Britain gives way, now she will only have to fight the battle in the future when the completion Of the Siberian rai.c5ad will render 1t mere diff ticult to count on bloodles triumph.
 Peace Not Endangered
 While, therefore the present situation is admittedly pregnant with possibilities, 1t need not be assumed that peace is en- dangered and war will not follow if Great Britain maintains the ground she has taken up. As usual there is every explanation for the sudden rush of British troops to Egypt. except the right one What really seems to have happened is that Col. Par sons, while en route to take over Kassala from the Italians, found King Menelik of Abyssinia in the greatest stage Of wrath at the surrender of the town (which his majesty regarded as part of his dsmain) to the Egyptians, and he was moboiizing an army with the intention of asserting his authority. If King Mcnelik should be act ing, suspected, in concert with tho mahdi, tho danger of the situation is great ly enhanced.
 A great deal of exception Is taken to the proposition of the secretary of state for the colonies, MT. Joseph Chamberlain, to grant aid to the West Indies, which Is only another name for. a bounty. It is evil dent that should the European govern- ments insist upon retaining their bountes MT. Chamberlain has prepared to make tho bounty of the West Indies permanent. Tho preponderance of opinion seems to favor countcrvaiing duties. similar to those of the United States, in the event of the fai- ure of the Brussels conference.
 The bubonic plague is terribly ravaging Poonail, Bombay and the Duccan. Thous- ands have fled from Poonah and Bombay, in each of which cities the mortality Is 500 to GDn ureaklv-