The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-23
LITTLE LIKELIHOOD OF War
The Game in the Far East is Being
Fought Out By Diplomats.
ENGLAND SEEMS TO Be ON TOP AGAIN
King Menelik Gets Wrathy and the Dan
ger Of His Acting In Concert With the
NaIdi Caused the Troops to Hurryto
Egypt-A Royal Betrothai.

LONDON. Jan 22.-While events are
moving with somewhat dramatic rapidlty
in the far East. and complications may
any day develop a situation frausht WIN
momentous dangers, when the known
facts and the position Of affairs are ana
lived. Their is really not much reason AT
the present moment TO suppose that So
luton of the crisis will be found in a re-
sort 10 war.
There is reason 70 believe that diplo-
matte circles do not fear that 1t Will be
necessary TO appeal TO arms unless (and
this is the dangerous feature Of the sit
uation) Japan breaks from her mentors.
So far as the European Powers are con-
cerned. the diplomats throughout are sat
isfed that the Chinese question VIII not
break the peace of the world; but they
have always feared that Japan will prove
a iire-brand.
JAPAN DANGEROUS.
Unless she can be restrained from i'm
petuous action, the departure of her
feet from Yokohama to-day for chi
nese waters. may prove 10 be the striking
of the match which may lead to dread
ed conhagration.
Leaving out the possibility of war the
diplomatic game is most interesting. The
MARQUIS of Salisbury is slow in playing
his trumps. but unless Russia and France
have some up their sleeves. il would ap-
pear that he has decided advantage
for the British Premier has forced Rus
STA 10 show her hand. She not only con-
cedes the fact that she regards the whole
Of Manchuria and the Liao-Tung penin-
sula as being her exclusive prey; but by
insisting that Ta-Iien- Wan northeast of
Port Arthur be made treaty port. the
Marquis of Salisbury has countered the
Muscovite designs on Port Arthur for
the latter is of little strategic value with
out Ta-Lien-Wan.
France. of course. resents the proposal
20 open Manning, which would clash
with her exclusive interests III Tonquin,
while both Russia and France are deep
Is concerned in Great Britain's claim 10
extend the Burmese railroad on TO the
Chinese province OF Yuen-Nan. France
has secured privileges in Yuen-Nan
which would be seriously disconnected
by the British railroad diverting 10 the
North the commerce OF such rich pro-
vince. while a railroad from Rangoon 10
Shanghai (Which would be the natural
outcome OF Great Britain's demands)
would be d disastrous competitor OF the
great trans-Asiatic line from Samarcand
Ia Pert Arthur, which Russia is so Ia
boriously constructing.
ENGLAND ON TOP.
AS the Associated Press has Indicated
throughout there seems 10 be an under
standing between Germany and Great
Britain; but Germany at the same time
has so skilfully played her cards, al
ternateiy caressng 81. Petersburg ana
I.onCon, that the relations between both
capltals are better than for long time
past.
The firm, confident tone OF the British
ministerial utterances, emphasizes That
Great Britain does not intend 10 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 IL
Great Britain gives way now she VIII only
have to fight the battle In the future when
the completion of the Siberian railroad
will render IL more difficult TO count upon
q bloodlcss triumph.
While therefore the present situation
r. admittedly pregnant with possibilities
n need not be assumed that peace n en-
dangered and war Will follow II Great
Britain maintains the ground she has
taken up. Verbal buster am haval dis
MAYS are only the usual Accomplishments
OF great diplomatic struggles and are
intended. to test the enemies nerve. In
the meanwhile II may be observed that,
while Great Britain Is unlikely 10 bulge
from the broad principle which the Chan
ceilor OF the Exchequer. Sir. Michael
Hicks Beach enunaated. there are