Kansas City journal., 1898-03-09
THE PRESIDENTS BACKING.

Wednesday night; winds becoming northwesterly.
For Nebraska: Wednesday. threatening weather.
with local SHOWS: much colder; northwesterly winds.
THE PRESIDENTS BACKING.
In the present outlook. fraught with
grave uncertainty. the most encouraging
aspect is the popular support given the
president by people of all classes and
regardless Of political faiths.
There are no public demonstrations of
approval. for the time for public demon
stration has not yet come; but there is
an earnest expression of confidence that
reveals a keen appreciation Of the RESPONSE
bilities Of the people and a patriotic regard
for the Offices Of the administration.
Such united loyalty is akin to the hazards
and sacrifices Of the field. 1t is the most
eloquent expression Of sentiment and pur-
at time of impending danger. ri. i5f5r
Since the announcement OF the, Maine
disaster, the partisan tongue has been
silenced, the political demagogue has been
eubdued and the insistent doetrinaire has
been restrained. By common consent. do
mestic differences have given away to for
eign emergencies. An administration could
not ask for more loyal support than has
been given President Mckinley during the
recent days Of suspense. The presidents
acts have more than justified this conf
dence and support: they have strengthened
them day by day. -.
True, few feeble party organs. feeble in
everything except partisan aninus-one Of
them in this city-have abused the president.
They have lied and mfsrepresented. They
have shown themselves devoid Of common
patriotism, common decency and common
sense. But fortunately. they are few IN
numbers and without influence. They ara
worthy Of mention only as a means to
accentuate the natiou's respect and loyalty.
GREAT BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.
II the cloud now lowering over Great
Britain and Russia Is really as dark as
1t is pictured. the world will soon have
war topic vastly more absorbing than that
afforded by the spanish-Americ situation.
The announcement that China has yield
ed both Port Arthur and Ta-Lien-Wan to
Russia, and the simultaneous report that
Russia has ordered a number of battle craft
to strengthen her Pacific squadron, are
the most significant publications yet made
in reference to the dispute over the parti-
ton Of China
The occupation Of the Chinese ports by
Russia, although given out in the form of
a ninety -nine-year lease, is no less abso-
Lutte than the occupation Of Kiao-Chou by
Germany. and has been accomplished by
virtue Of Russia's demand rather than by
events it means the division Of the Chinese
empire. Such a division, owing to Great
Britain's direct interests in China and her
free port doctrines. must lead to serious
complications between two of the greatest
powers in the world.
1t was but a short time ago that Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach asserted that the
Chinese ports must be kept open to the
worlds commerce. even If England had to
fight to keep them open. This utterance
was greeted with such general approval
that it must be regarded as the popular
as well as the ofiicial sentiment of the
Britons. rt-a
That Russia is Jealous of every additional
right that England might acquire in sup
port of this doctrine is evident from the
opposition to the Chinese loan. The inter-
national advantage of becoming Chinas
creditor. under existing conditions, was
pointedly expressed by the st. James Ga
ft 4 ~
worth ten Kiao-Chous. England first made
an offer very advantageous to China, but
that government. at the instance OF Russia,
declined the offer. When the loan of $780,
100000 was finally made Jointly by Great
Britain and Germany. China was the loser
by 100000 as compared with the terms
first offered.
Politically, Russias occupation of Port
Arthur and Ta-Lien-Wan must be regarded
as a counter movement to Great Britain.
part in effecting the Chinese loan. It 1.
now Great Britain's move and much may
depend upon the next step taken. espe
cially in view OF the uneauivocal position
previously taken by the British government
which, important as 1t was. did not confliot
with any attitude hitherto assumed b,
either Germany or Russia.
Russla's determination may be clearly
gathered from the st. Petersburg papers
which are absolutely controlled by the for
eign Offices in their comments on inter
national affairs. The Novosti says: RUS
sia has no intention to permit the establish
ment OF a free port at either Ta-Lien-w Wal
or Pert Arthur. In conjunction with Ger
many and France, she will oppose all at
tempts to encroach upon the interests o
the three powers under the guise of com
mercial freedom" 1t Is further hinte,
that In case of British aggression. Russi
would Immediately put an army of 100 %
men on the Afghan frontier as a menac
attacking England's policy, disputing he
sincerity and recommending a recognition
of the fact that China must be partitionet
the same paper concludes with this fran
and significant declaration: "An that
necessary Ito a peaceful adjustment OF tn
difficulty is an early understanding as {
the fair division of the doomed empire
The st. Petersburg vremya's tone is q
most Identical with that of the Novosti
1t IS evident that Russia, with q cles
understanding as to the support OF Gel
many and France. means to stand pat o