Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-14
GREAT BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

1t begins TO look as if Great Britain
must recoup heavily on her diplomacy
In the far East, abandon her open-door
of the war between China and Japan
British influence In China has been
waning and Russian influence has been
proportionately gaining ascendency. In
the adjustment of matters between the
two yellow races Rosebery was clearly
overreached by Russia His Lordship
talked big and was particular 10 let 1t
be known that whatever might be his
theories and practices regarding home
questions. he intended to pursue 'vigor-
Gus foreign policy" But Rosebery
was a pupil of Gladstone's. and Russia did
not take bis warnings at all seriously
Russia knew that Gladstones vigorous
foreign policy seldom amounted in the
end TO anything but words. and in deal
ing with Rosebery she proceeded on the
theory 'lke master like man."
AS a consequence, when Rosebery went
out OF Office he left Russia master in
large measure of the situation In the far
East. Lord Salisbury Immediately took
up the. tangle OF British interests in that
quarter which he inherited from his prede-
cessor and bent his energies TO the work
of trying TO straighten IT out and restore
British prestige. Diplomacy failing him,
on occasions he put on Il bold front" and
even resorted TO pretty plain threats.
Time was when this latter course would
have caused Russia TO halt. But she had
gone too far and gained too much not TO
: be willing TO 30 further. Stimulated by
success she continued to press her advan-
tages, until now she has brought matters
20 a crisis, in which she holds the whip
hand over China. and is boldly-nay, de-
dantly-playing a. game which, If success
full to the finish, will make Great Britain's
open door a door through which the lat
ter will be forced from the Celestial en-
pire This crisis evolves out of a ques-
ton OF railroad control, and summary
OF the situation is as follows: Russia de-,
mands not only that all railroads in her
. zone OF influence in China, but ell rail-
roads In the British zone of influence
shall be under Russian domination. and
SO far China is supporting that demand.
AS to the details OF the situation, they are
About these:
All OF China north and east of Peldn
= claimed by Russia as her sphere Of in
suence. and the great central region
south of the capital. the Yang-tse Val
ley. Is similarly claimed by Great Britain
In each of these regions railroad Is
about to be constructed; In the former
from New-Chwang northeast to Moukden
ana Kirin; IN the latter from Pekin TO
Han-kow. Both enterprises must de-
pend upon foreign capital. and 1t Is gen.
orally conceded that the nation which
owns the bonds OF railroad Will largely
control the road itself and the region
through which IL runs. The New
Chwang road first turned 10 British
bank for loan. but Russia objected,
and succeeded In persuading or COM
polling China 10 covenant that no foreign
capital should be borrowed for that road.
and that no foreign. except Russian, con-
troll OF or interference with II should be
permitted. But Russia did not stop here.
IDe dan-how fahrOaus III tnS oftiSh
sphere. must also have foreign capital,
ana Russia exacted from China this fur
Their condition that this railroad should
be built with Russian capital. under
Franco-Beigian mask. and that in case
OF default or any dispute the Power
having the largest financial interest In
Tito wit. Russia--should be arbitrator.
II viii be recognized from this that
never In the history OF her connection
With China has Great Britain been worse
handicapped than at present. Never has
she had more at stake. commercially and
Otherwise. IN the far East. Her next
move Will. therefore. be awaited with In
sense interest. ~ upon It may depend