The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-04

announcements OF her press, when
coupled with the enigmatical statement
that the Government has made, raises an
almost Irresistible inference that she has
withdrawn from the position she took
with Russia that ra-la-Wian should be
made n free port. which would have neu-
tralized Russia's advantage in securing
Port Arthur ana would have made that
and the end Of her Siberian railway I'M
tenable IN case Of war between Russia
and England. The consequences OF a
war between Great Britain and Russia
appear 10 her statesmen now holding the
reins Of power too appalling to be in
CURED because OF Russia's acquisitions
IN China. Whether the nation will sub
nit to this estimate of the case or
whether it would not have been better
for them TO face the issue, however
dreadful. the immensely Of the posi-
bliues OF wax to England cannot well
be exaggerated. She is at this time con-
fronted with very serious insurrection
upon the northern part Of India, which
six months of hard fighting and great
expenditure Of money has failed TO sub
due. and a very large proportion Of tie
tecming population Of the country is
ready to rise in rebellion against English
authority II IT saw q prospect OF making
rebellion successful. Russia's railroad
connections have now gone to such an
extent that she could, within reason
able time, advance a very large body Of
troops to midas northern frontier. so
that by union OF Russian regulars and
rebollious tribesmen England's ability 10
maintain her hold upon India would
probably be taxed 10 fits utmost. a war
therefore, between England and Russia
would be one that could not possibly
benefit England to any great extent,
while it might strain her resources to q
point that would dissolve her empire.
Sir Richard Webster the Attorney
General of England, making a speech last
Tuesday night, said that the present
government would go to war before it
would submit 10 being ousted of its trade
relations in the East, "preierring quick
and glorious death to the slow starvation
which the loss Of trade would mean 10
the nation" There is something truly
pathetic in This statement Of the Attor-
ney General it shows that the Minis
ters are all thoroughly alive to the terri
bic ordeal the country Will have TO 30
,.
plains of India. 20 which Russia can,
without much difficulty. send hordes of
her thoroughly trained soldiers. whilst
England would have to meet them aided
by a rebellous population almost with
out number, with soldiers yet to be en-
listed and trained.
The English people are, however. high
spirited and a fighting people, and It is
by no means certain that their natural
characteristics are going to be controlled
in this instance by prudential considera-
lions. The English people are entirely
liable to take this matter into their own
hands, and England and Russia may,
after all. be forced to open war.
What is going to be the position Of the
United States in that event ? Are we
going to adhere TO our national policy
Of having nothing TO do with foreign
complications, or are we going to make
an exception in this case 10 our rule
We have numerous interests in China
and we need the trade Of her vast popula-
ton to take the wares produced by our
over-increasing manufactures. EnglandS
contest in this case IS for open ports and
world and al Of the Chinese. She asks
nothing FOR herself that she is not will
ing for all the world to share in. Our
interests are plainly, therefore, upon Eng
lands side in this threatened conflict
But our interests are not equal 10 over
coming our traditional adhesion TO the
principle that We will not take part in
foreign affairs. However great our in
terests Il Is not our fight.
This is not the only question involved
in the conflict If 1t does come on. 1t Will
be conflict between autocracy and De-
mocracy. If the car destroys English
power and prestige. democracy will nave
but one strong supporter left upon the
earth.-the United States. But we will be
able to stand up for democracy against
the united powers of the autocrats Of the
world. even II Englands power should
be broken. which God forbid.