The record-union., 1898-03-28
ENGLAhD'S OPEN DOOR.
SHE MUST FIGHT OR ABANDON
HER POLICY.
Russia's Diplomats. Have Pulled
the Wool Over Her Eyes
Most Successfully.

NEW YORK, March PA Sun"
London cable says: Europe as whole,
and London especially, continues to
take only a secondary interest in the
Spanish American crisis. There are
many public men in this country at
the present moment who believe that
war between Great Britain, Russia and
France is more threatening than that
between the United States and Spain.
The point has now been reached where
Great Britain must fight Or abandon
her brave declarations made during
the past two months by responsible
Cabinet Ministers.
1t must be admitted that the prevail
ing public opinion, which, though al
most unexpressed, still exists that the
Government will back down. The only
direct indication to the contrary is
firm Hongkong, where every available
British ship must be ready for sea by
next Tuesday.
Sir Claude Macdonald, British Min
lister at Pekin, has once more justified
the description Of him as the worst-in-
formed member of the diplomatic corps
in China. Until last evening he knew
nothing of China's surrender to Rus
sia, whereof the news was cabled to
the London Times Thursday. The
Government was actually indebted to
the Times" for the news, which was
taken to Downing street by Editor
Buckle at 1870 p. M, and caused the
summons to a Cabinet council for next
day. 1t really looks as though Sails
| bury and his colleagues had been sim
pie enough to accept Russian asSur-
| ances literally, and even now they can
not realize it is part of Russia's plans
to convert Port Arthur into an Eastern
Gibraltar.
If the British Government, like ordi-
| nary Governments, was bound by it's
own declarations, nothing would now
be left but to go to war. The Govern
ment deliberately formulated what is
known as a policy of open door, and
even extended it by accepting reso-
luton in the Commons insisting upon
the maintenance of the territorial in
tegrity of China. 1t is doubtful if even
Russian diplomat would now attempt
with straight face to argue that Chi
mas territorial integrity is inviolate,
with the Germans in possession of Kia-
ochau Bay, the Russians of Port Ar
thur and Manchuria overrun by Rus
sian troops.
Appearances may be deceptive, but
for the moment they suggest a COM
plete turn about in the British policy,
the formal abandonment of the terri
torial integrity contention, the British
occupation of Chusan and the conver-
sion of Weihai-wei into a permanent
place of arms. 1t has been hastily as
sumed to-day that Russia has won
over Japan by the abandonment of
Russian claims and designs upon Co
rea, thus completely isolating England
unless the United States, indeed, should
depart from her traditional policy of
keeping clear of entanglenlents. The
remarkable reluctance of this Govern
| ment relative to foreign affairs ought
to be sufficient proof of the extreme
gravity of the situation.
Mystery mongering is still the chief
stock in trade of the Foreign Office, but
it's big words and apparently craven
actions no longer satisfy the public,
and Conservatives and Liberals are
equally alarmed at the apparent fail
ure of British diplomacy in China,
where Great Britain's ''open door" has
| been slammed in her face. Unless the
Government early in the week clearly
outlines it's position, it probably will
| be compelled to take the country into
| it's confidence by a motion for the ad-
| journment of the House of Commons
which many Unionists will support.