The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-05-12
FUTURE OF CHINA.
The Political Situation in Europe
and the East-Amerfca's Adj
van taEes.

There are two ways of influencing
people or country, commercially. One
is by methods of mutual intercourse;
the other is by the dominion of terri
tory. Influence is eXerted to much
greater degree where commercial rela-
tions are supported by the absolute POI
]itical and military control of one coun-
try over another. Commercial, military
or political conquests are, however,
rarely attempted where the countries
or people to be controlled are either
impoverished or physically strong. The
temptation to avarice and ambition is
far greater where the people destined
to subjugation are both rich and pow
erless. The condition of China to-day
may serve as proof of this statement.
This vast empire, endowed with greater
natural resources than India or Africa
and possessing a greater population
than either-yet physically weak and
financially bankrupt-was conquered
and placed under enormous indemnity
by nation one-twelfth it's size, in
brief war, which involved loss to the
victor of but GA killed.
Here is tempting field for the ambi-
tious, both in political and a CONNER
cial sense. And this field will bs
thoroughly explored with one of the
two results: 1. A combination of the
great powers Of Europe, resulting in
division of the Chinese empire-the
strongest selling the lions share; or
(2) a disagreement much to be de-
sired ! among~the powers as to this d.
vision, in which case the celestial king
dom would be allowed to work out its
own salvation. In the latter case, the
empire, stimulated to greater efforts,
may eventually reach high standard
of civilization and development.
So far as the effects of the situation
upon the people of Europe are con-
cerned, it may be said that the more the
governments can extend their do
minion and control the greater will be
their commercial facilities; and these
facilities again will result in a greater
revenue and an increased demand upon
the home markets for goods of every de-
scription. But to maintain such in
fuence and power, the statecraft, pa
triotism, strength and resources of the
nation must at times be taxed to their
utmost limit. Great Britain has spent
about $500,000,000 upon her present
navy; and she is still increasing her
service in order to maintain her SUI
premacy. The present emperor of Ger
many has for years appealed to his gov
eminent to add to the naval armament;
and recent reports show that $2O0,O0O,-
900 has been granted for this purpose.
The little kingdom of Japan, which,
from comparatively insignificant
position among the nations, has recent
ly risen to great prominence, has pro-
vided for additions to her navy, which,
when completed, will place it third
among the navies of the world.
We are fortunate in being isolated
from other countries. We are blessed
with virgin soil and great natural re-
sources. At the same time, however,
there are questions of vast Importance
which will require the attention of our
ablest statesmen, in order that the pros
perity and enterprise of the country
may be preserved, and the comfort and
welfare of its millions of toilers guard
ed. For this reason, it will be necessary
to build up our commerce wherever it
has declined, so thai: we may success
fully compete in the markets of tho
world.-Gen. Nelson A. Miles, in Forum.
Thrifty Spanish Soldiers.
It appears that the Spanish soldiers
in Cuba are thrifty fellows, who, like,
the officers over them, lose no opportu-
nifty to turn dishonest penny. Har-
per's Weekly says editorially: "We.
have it on the authority of an intelli-
gent and trustworthy correspondent
whom we sent to Cuba for the purpose
of making an investigation that Gu
bans are in the habit of crossing the
trocha, thus entering towns and vii
lagos supposed to be fortified for the
purpose of buying cartridges from the