Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-10

1t Is a notorious fact that France is in no
position to engage John Bull single hand
ed, specially on the seas, where France is
far behind her neighbor across the chan
mel. Russia is evidently n leading factor
in the present situation. Even while the
French are talking of a peaceable settle
ment of the trouble with England, word
comes from the Far East that Russian
emissaries are making preparations to
take advantage of the strained relations
between France and England to seize an
other port In Chinese territory Russian
diplomats are credited with degree of
wisdom and craftiness far in excess of
those of any other nation of Europe, and
they are quick to see an opportunity and
take advantage of 1t.
If the Russian government could sue
coed in prolonging the embrogio between
France and England for n number of
months, IL would be in "a position to make
a bold move in China, where there seems
to pc no limit to its ambition or necessi-
ties. 1t has secured its open port for the
Pacific terminus of its great trans-Siber-
ian railroad; but It is evidently not salts
fed with the amount of territory 1t has
secured for the protection of Port Arthur.
The development of modern military oper-
atoms have made necessary the possession
of a large extent of territory about a ma
val station. and the Russians are plainly
inclined to enlarge upon the idea of zones
of influence which Premier Salisbury of
Great Britain substituted for his open
] 4.
ton of the Chinese empire that might
come under the control of Europeans.
! But the Russian bear will not catch the
British lion asleep. as has been frequently
demonstrated in the past. England is
closely watching the movements of the
Russians in the Far East, as is siGnifa-
cantly shown by the fact that one of the
NEST formidable naval demonstrations in
connection with the Fashoda trouble has
been made IN Chinese waters. 1t is not
impossible moreover. that Englands hur-
red preparations for war are being push
ed with the idea that Russia and France
may carry out the conditions of their alli-
ance in the present emergency, and that
she may DO compelled to fight both of
them at the same time. If an emergency
of this character should arise, it would
demonstrate the wisdom of the policy
adopted by the British government, which
tries to keep its navy equal in fighting
power TO the combined fleets of any other
two powers that might combine.
| The reassuring utterances of the French
press at the present time in conjunction
with the declaration of the Car of Russia
in favor of universal disarmament would
naturally lead the English gov ernmeat TO
desist from its preparations for carly hos
Titles but our British cousins arc evident
'ly inclined to profit by Rudyard kiplins' S
warning to beware of the bear,
| when he shows as aeeking lu1rter.
With paws like hands in prayer"
But whether or no the English were
awakened by this warning, they are
plainly determined to be prepared for any
International emergency that may arise
at the present time. England knows that
winter is at hand when military opera
lions could be conducted by Russia only
at a great disadvantage, owing to the in
completeness of the Siberian railroad and
the consequent necessity of transporting
military supplies and troops through the
frozen northern seas, for the most part
and she may be wise in pushing her de-
mands upon France at the present time
and backing her demands by a display OF
sea power.