The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-25
AFFAIRS IN THE FAR EAST
Japan the Firebrand That May Cause War.
The Status at Present Not SO Bellicose.
England the Master of the Situation

England the Master of the Situation
Copyrighted by the Associated Press.)
London, January 22.-While events
are moving with somewhat dramatic
rapidity in the far east and complica--
tions may any day develop a situation
frought with momentous dangers,
when the known facts and the position
of affairs are analyzed there is really
not much reason at the present mo-
ment to suppose the solution of the
crisis will be found in a resort to war.
There is reason to believe that diplo
matte circles do not fear that it will
be necessary to appeal to arms, unless
(and this is the dangerous feature of
the situation) Japan breaks from her
mentors. So far as the European
powers are concerned, the diplomats,
throughout, are satisfied that the Chi
nese question will not break the peace
of the world; but they have always
feared that Japan will prove a fire
from impetuOus action, the departure
of her fleet from Yokohama today for
Chinese waters may prove to be the
striking of the match which may lead
to dreaded confiagration.
Leaving out the possibility of war,
the diplomatic game is most interest
ing. The marquis of Salisbury is slow
in playing his trumps, but unless
Russia and France have something I'D
their sleeves, it would appear that he
has decided advantage, for the Brit
ish premier has forced Russia to show
her hand. She no longer conceals 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-Lien- Wan,
northeast coast of Port Arthur ho
made treaty port, the marquis of Sal
isbury has cOuntered the MuscOvire's
design on Port Arthur, for the latter
is of little strategic value without Ia
Lien-Wan.
France of course, resents the pro-
pOsal to open Manning, 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
Lun-Nan, France has secured privi-
leges in Yun-Nan which would be Sc
riously discommoded by the British
railroad diverting to the north the
commerce of such a rich province,
while a railroad from Rangoon to
Shanghai, (Which would be the natur-
al outcome of Great Britain's de-
mands), would be disastrous COM
petitor of the great Trans-Asiatic line
(from Samarcand to Port Arthur,
which Russia is so labOriously con-
structing.
AS the Associated Press has indica-
ted throughout, there seems to be an
understanding between Germany and
Great Britain; but, Germany at Tie
time has so skillfully played her
cards, alternately caressing st. Peters,
burg and London that the relations
between both capitals are better than
for a long time past. The firm, conf
dent tone of the British ministerial
! utterances, emphasizes that Great
Britain does not intend to recede from
the main points of the position she has
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 completion of the
Siberian railroad will render it more
difficult to count upon a blOOdleSS
triumph. While, therefore the present
situation is admittedly pregnant with
possibilities, it need not be assumed
that peace is endangered and war will
follow if Great Britain maintains the
ground she has taken up. Verbal
bluster and naval displays are only the
usual accomplishments of great diplo-
matte struggles and are intended to
test the enemy's nerve. In the mean
while it may be observed that, while
Great Britain is unlikely to bulge
from the broad principle, which the
chancellor of the exchequer, Sir Mich
ael-Hicks-Beach enunciated, there are
glimpses of the fact that the negotia-
tions at Pekin should not be accepted
as necessarily final.
AS usual, there is very explanation
of the sudden rush of British troops to
Egypt-except the right one What
really seems to have happened is that
Colonel Parsons, while en- route to
take over Kassala, from the Italians,
found King Menelik of Abyssinia in
the greatest state of wrath at the sur
render 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.
1t is rumored that Emperor Francis
Joseph of Austria will shortly an
nOunce the hatr0fhal of the Arch