The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-28
FOREIGN NEWS BRIGHT.

fOIbIIG4N Ao1S1OAAA
The Chinese question seems TO have
reached a solution which will preserve
peace in the far East for at least some
years to come. England has concluded
treaty with the Chinese Emperor of far
reaching consequences. 1t provides for a
Joint loan of a16,O00,O0O by Great Britain
and Germany, which insures the immediate
return of Wei-Hai-Wei to Chinese occupa-
ton and shuts out Russia from the con-
trolling influence at Picking which she had
hoped to cement through becoming the
lenuer. England mas also secured the lmme-
dIate opening of all the navlgabie water
WAYS oil China to the traders oil all nations
ana the opening OF two free ports two years
hence. AT the same time emma pledges
herself not to dispose or ner rights IN any
portion of the great 1ang-ISe Valley-tne
chief region of ChIna's reSources-to any
foreign power The erect of all this is to
make three-fourths of China free to the
commerce of the world and to leave little
room for the schemes OF annexation Whlch
certain powers have been attempting 10
realize. The perpetuity or TINS settlement
is assured by the fact that II receives the
moral support of all the commercial ana
pacific nauons, and by the further CON
sideration that Germany appears 70 nave
transferred her cooperation from Russia
to Great Britain. To finance the slSnln-
|. canoe of these events in ASIA ana AFRICA
is that they relieve the old world or the
great war dangers that have been lmpend-
ing and afford assurances Oh the WoIlu
commerce being conducted uHueI PACING
policies The omnOuS emma question anu
the Greco-Turldsh question having IN sue
cession been disposed of, there remains 1T
tie now to obstruct the return r on STt
in the financial circles of Europe. Inc
Opening of China, with her vast resources
and her 400 OO0,0 COS of people, TO Tree inter-
course with the trading nations must I'M
mediately give a great Impulse to lnterna-
tional commerce and should confer large
BENEFITS upon the United States as COM
petitor for the trade or the CeleStldl EN-
nire These are the new things that UNDER
lie and sustain the investment markets,
and they betoken an ultimate advantage ~
American securities.
In respect to Cuba, symptoms are APP
pearing which are suggestive OF posslpls
amelioratons of the situation: W near %
intimat lions which seem hopeful or a posi-
BILE solution of that terrible problem: Inc
action of the Cuban autonomy committee
few days ago has attracted little Afternoon
and Vet il is highly important as symp-
tom at least, if for nothing more. Wuen
a large majority of the body OF loyal Gnu
Zens of Cuba asks for a further liberallza.
tion of the autonomy, for reduction OF
Cuba's portion of the war debt TO $loO,OVV'Vo9
and for an extension of the committee bS
fifteen members. TO consist of Cuban gen.
erals and leaders, it measn policy or ma
terial Cancellation in quarters closely con-
neeted with the goV er 10 se
pose that the Spanish government Is dis
posed to extend the liberties of the Cubans
beyond what is provided for under the eX-
listing autonomy Also. 1t is given out that
negotiations are pending between Spain and
our government looking TO a DaSlS or settle
ment that should satisfy the Cubans. 1t is
to be hoped that these indefinite indications
point to something better coming. For the
moment however, the situation calls for a
conservative caution in financial interests.
ASSURANCES OF PEACE.
There should be assurance of peace in the
fact that it is simply absurd for Spain to
think for even a moment of going to war
with the United States. If they will only
reflect and weigh in the scale the difference
on one side and that on the Other they
would certainly hesitate before taking such
a rash step. Let us see wherein the diff
ference consists. Spain as a nation is on
the wane. Her condition is virtually bank
rupt Her population numbers only 100000
of people. The resources of the nation and
of the people are very limited. Her credit
is equally so. 1t is true she has navy at
the present time probably equal to that of
this country, but owing TO the lack of re-
sources and credit OF the government IL
cannot be rapidly or materially increased.
Any nation that goes to war with the
would continue until one side of the other
was exhausted for the United States would
never surrender TO any power on earth.
This is the best showing that Spain can
make.
The United States has resources and
credit almost without limit. She has TO-
G10,OG0 OF people possessed of energy, re-
markable brain power. methodical. level
headed, courageous. determined, and with
powers OF great endurance-a people that
have shown themselves to be great In peace
and great in war. Our own civil war dem
onstrated that fact, and also that the peo-
pie OF the whole Nation were uniformly
brave. While our navy IS probably only