The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-23
MAY BE A FIRE-BRAND
PROBLEM TO RESTRAIN HER
FROM INIPETUOUS ACTION.
DEPARTURE or HER FLEET OMNIBUS
In Diplomatic Game Salisbury Has 0ulpIayed
Russia, While Germany Has Been Most
Skilful Of the Three, Caressing Both
London and ST. Petersburg.

Ion00n ana 81, FeerSDurgs
Copyright, 1898. by Associated Press.
London, Jan. 22-Wmle events ar,
moving with somewhat rapidity in tn,
far east and complications may an!
day develop a situation fraught with
momentous dangers, when the known
facts and the position of affairs are
analysed there is really not much reason
at the present moment to suppose that
a solution of the crisis will be found III
believe that diplomatic circles do moi
fear that it will be necessary ito appeal
TO arms, unless tand this is the dam
gerous feature of the situation), Japan
breaks from her mentors. SO far as the
European powers are concerned, the
diplomats throughout are satisfied that
the Chinese question will net break the
peace of the world: but, they have al
ways feared that Japan will prove Il
fire brand.
Unless she can he restrained from
fmpetuous action, the departure of her
feet from Yokohama to-day for Chinese
waters, may prove to be the striking of
the match which may lead to a dreaded
coHfiagrat.Op.
Leaving out the possibility of war
the diplomatic game is most interest
ing. The Marquis of Salisbury is slow
in playing his trunrps, burt unless Rus
STA and France have some up their
sleeves, it would appear that he has a
decided advantage, for the British
Premier has forced Russia to show her
hand. She no longer conceafs the fact
that she regards the whole of AIanchuria
and the Lio-Tung peninsula as being
her exclusive prey, but insisting that
Da-Lien-Wan northeast of Port Ar
thus) he made "a treaty port, the Mar
quiS of Salisbury has countcred the
Muscovfte designs on Port Arthur for
the later's strategic value without Ia
Lien Wan.
France. of course. resents the proposal
to open Nan Ming. which would clash
with her exclusive interests in Tonquin.
while both Russia and France are
deeply concerned in Great Britain's
claim to extend the Burmese railroad
into the Chinese province of Yum Nan.
France has secured privileges in Yum
Nan. which would he seriously discom-
model by the British raIlroad diyerting
to the north Ine commerce of such a
rich province. while a railroad from
Rangoon to Shangh-- (which would be
the natural outcome of Great Britain's
demandsl would be u disastrous cOmpe-
titor of the great trans ASiatlc line
from Samarcand to Port Arthur. which
Russia is so nboriously constructing.
As the Associated Press has indicated
throughout, there seems to be an under
standing between Germany and Great
Britain: but, Germany, at the same
time. has so skillfully played her cards.
alternately caressing st. Petersburg and
London. that the relations between both
capitals are better than for long time
past. The firm, confident tone of the
British Ministerial utterances, en-
phasizes that Great Britain does not in
tend to recede from the main points of
the position she has taken up. and the
Cabinet Ministers are merely voicing
the determination of the country, which
recognizes that if Great Britain gives
way now, she will only have to fight the
battle in the future, when the com
plction of the Siberian railroad will rem
der ii more difficult to count upon
bloodless triumph. While. therefore,
the present situation - admittedly preg-
nant with possibilities, it need not be
assumed that peace is endangered, and
war will follow if Great Britain main
tains the ground she has taken up.
Verbal buster and naval displays are
only the usual accompaniment of great
diplomatic struggles, and are intended
to test the enemy's nerve. In the mean
while. II may be observed that, while
Great Britain is unlikely to bulge from
the broad principle, which the Chancel
Tor of the Exchequer, Sir Michael Hicks
Beach enunciated, there are glimpses Of
the fact that the negotiations at pekin
should be accepted as necessarily final.
AS a sample of the credibility attach
able to the various rumOIs i'll circulation
the British Admiralty explicitly denies
the accuracy of the reports circulated
here on Thursday last as to the strength
ing of the navy by 5000 men (2,0O0 adj
ditional stokers to be engaged during
the present quarter). and the immediate
commissioning of the reserve hrSt-cass
battleship Hannibal, now at Portsmouth.
AS usual, there is every explanation
of the sudden rush of British troops to
Egypt-except the right one. What
really seems to have happened Is that
Col. Parsons, while en- route to take
over KassalIa. from the Italians found
King Menelik, Of Abyssinnia, i'll the
greatest state of wrath at the surrender
of the town (which his majesty regarded
as part Of his domain, to the Egyptians
and he was mobilizing an army with the
intention of asserting his authority. II
King aenelik should be acting, as sus
pected. i'm concert with the Mahdi, the
danger OF the situation is greatly en-
HANGED, especially if there is truth in
the stories, (Which are leaking out just
now. of the existence of dissatisfaction
among General Kitchenors Soudanese
who are real fighters), and the reported
lack of backbone shown by the Egyp-
fans during the last operations.
1t is rumored that Emperor Francis
Joseph, of Austria, will shortly an
nounce the betrothal of the Arch Du-
chess Elizabeth, daughter of the late
Crown Prince Rudolf, to the King OF
Spain.
RUSSIA .VEXED. AT BRITAIN.
st. Petersburg, Jan. GA semi-ofhca