The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-02
Copyright, 1898. by Associated Prcss.)
In

- %''''NS''i'Nt
London, January l. 1898.
The ingenuity displayed in manurac-
turing news from the far East is re-
markable. Fivc-slXths OF the state
statements can be safely labeled guess
work." The British and Russian foreign
Offices are as dumb as oysters and the
German stream of conflicting conmuni-
cations In the semi-oillcial press shows
they do not know there on which foot
they are st1nding. France is apparent
ly in the dark, while the Mikado has
dissolved the Japanese diet III order
THAT opinions should not be expressed.
In the circumstances 1t Is not strange
that accurate Information Is difficult to
secure. The known facts wholly cor
roboTtc the statements cabicd to the
Associated Press on Saturday last rhat
Great Britain Is carefully watching tho
situation, blding her time, and will cer-
tainly not fail to act promptly and
vigorously ut the proper moment.
1t was pointed out in that dispatc
that in well-informed circles the scare
In the newspapers In regard TO the far
East was at least premature and that
the members of the Government were
evidently sincere In discla inning the least
alarm. This view of the case was prac-
tically reiterated by the Daily Graphic
on Friday, which asserted that there
was every reason to believe that tho
Russians would adhere to their pledge
TO cvac,iate Port Arthur at the end OF
the winter. and that, therefore, there
were no grounds for complaint on the
part of Great Britain
Evidently, apart from the question
of the Chinese loan the Korean queS-
tion is more interesting for Great Brit
ain at the present moment than the
questions of Port Arthur and Kiao-
Chou, principally because the Marquis
of Salisbury sees in the atcmpt TO oust
j. McLeavy Brown, the British super
intcndent of Korean customs. q more
serious scheme to ovcrturn Sir Robert
Hart, the British director Of the Chinese
imperial maritime customs. which has
apparently been nipped in the bud. The
cabinets existence would be short II IT
permitted Russia to coercc the Tsung
Li-Yamen (Chinese foreign oGice) into
dismissing the British head of the Chi
ncse customs.
1t Is not known yet whether the Brit
ish Government will approve Of the ar
rangcmcnt arrived at according to
cable dispatch from Pekin. by which
McLcaVy Brown ana NJ AlcXicff, the
British agent In Korea. will work the
Korean customs together. The British
Ministers appear to be somewhat dis
trustful 50 the war ships of Great
Britain, which are at present off Chem
upo, the port of Seoul, in order to give
moral support to Mr.. Brown, will re-
main there for the present.
1t is by no means clear that British
Int &c ,,l, 4,
present moment. and England can pro-
baby well afford to await the spring,
when, unless the normal conditions are
resumed, she will take the steps nee
cssary TO protect her interests and re-
establish the balance of power.
The Spectator publishes an interest
ing article on Japan policy, in which
the writer regards the Marquis Ito's
return TO power and Japans offer to
assist the officers at Pekin in drilling
the Chinese army and her proposal TO
consent to q postponement of the pay
ment of the war indemnify. as possibly
roCeshadowing Chino-Japan alliance.
The writer adds that he is convinced
the Marquis Ito thinks that securing
perpetual control of the resources of
trade and soldiers of China are within
his power. and, IL JaDan's offer is ac-
cepted, Europe, according to the writer
IN the Spectator. will be beaten. "for
she has not the means to make the
effort necessary to conquer the United
yellow peoples"
The financial barometer does not show
any decided treDidation. Consols are
improving There is not tho slightest
sign of the selling which always marks
real clouds on the political horizon.
and there are signs of reaction in the
long continued depreciation in land
Farms are selling and renting more
freely and at higher prices. The i'm
provement is attributed partly to the
rise In the price of wheat. and partly
10 the cheapness Of money. Capital
lists are glad even Of the beggardly in
terest yielded by land Investments.