The times., 1898-04-03
EUROPE WATCHES AMERICA
The Spanish-Ameriean Crisis and
Its Probable Effect.
THE FAR-EASTERN SITUATION
Prevent Chin.'s Dismemberment
and Joins in the Territorial Grab
COntemptuOus Comments of the
bury's Mistakes.
(special Cahle-Conrrichtcd.N !

Especial CopyrightedO
London, April War between the
United Safes and Spain is now believed
to be fully discounted in public opinion,
in the stock markets, and even in the
international politics of Europe. Jnsas-
much as hostilities are now regared as
inevitable public attention is being large
ly directed to consideration of how the
interests of various great powers would
be affected. The chief European inter-
est in the Spanish american quarrel is in
its bearing upon the far Eastern crisis
Regarding this aspect of the question it
may be said that Il British Government
is very glad that the differences between
Spain and America. have reached the is
sue while the continental powers are cor
respondingly regretful. The reason for
this attitude is easily discovered Rus
sia, France and Germany had hoped that
the Cuban affairs would keep America
occupied for a long time and prevent her
from any cooperation in the far East
sympathy fer SpniE.
Great Britain naturally hopes to see the
Cuban crisis settled by brief war if
necessary because the process of set
tlement might give to England an oppor-
tunity TO win American good will and the
United States would then be able to
turn her attention to the great issues
pending in Asia. America has not done
anything thus far in regard to the Chi
nese situation which would be an excuse
for any European power assuming any
attitude save that of benevolent neu-
trality between Spain and the United
States. Yet, it is perfectly clear that
French and German. as well as Austrian
sympathies are distinctly Spanish. Rus
sia is too clever to allow any change in
her traditional friendship to the United
States TO appear in advance of any open
American Opposition 10 her plans in
China, but a manifestation of Russian
hostility would not be delayed a moment
II the United States Yentured to even
criticise the Russian policy in the far
East This has been indicated 10 some
extent in the past few days when the
Russian press has been mildly depre-
eating armed Intervention by the United
States I'm Cuba. 1t is evident on every
side that no matter in which direction
one turns in the great crisis now pend
ing between the European powers, that it
is impossible To separate the Spanish
national situation. Tne most important
point which the Washington Admins
tration should consider in this connection
is the fact that European powers, except
England, while they would be glad TO
postpone the war, Will for reasons al
ready suggested, be in no hurry to see
1t ended when actually begun. Russia,
Germany and France will hope to see
Americas attention absorbed as long as
~ her. han u toe of
ing the Cubans. England, on the con-
trary, for equally obvious reasons. de-
sires the conflict TO prove quick, sharp
and decisive, and in this, of course, she
will be sharing Americas own wishes.
The Powers Against China.
Aside from the Cuban crisis, English
attention is chiefly directed TO the mys-
terious naval demonstration which Great
Britain will make next week in Chinese
waters The impression IS gaining
ground that it's object is not anti-Rus-
sian, but is directed against helpless
China In other words, Great Britain
has abandoned the attempt to preserve
the integrity of the Chinese empire anC
IS going in for the biggest share of the
spoils that 1t is now possible to secure
This idea probably dominates financia
circles, or otherwise the great nava
bhtlItIl IOh Bi'Ildi lIlS MOuIl nave
far more serious effect than the fall o
half a point in corsels The theory Il
strengthened by the angry and con
temptuouS comments of the Japanes,
press and politicians upon the Britisi
policy.
Lord Salisbury TO Return.
Lord Salisbury will be back In the for
eign office before the end of the month
according to statements of his persona
friends, based. presumably upon tn
premier's own authority The mutin.
within the Unionist party in the Com
mons. which at one time. threatened t
be serious, has almost collapsed. Tn
majority of the mutineers made tn
mistake of supposing that the Time
| is still a great political force in thi
| country, and when il turned upon Lor
| Salisbury they expected the idol forth
with to fall and break into pieces. Tn
| Times, on its part, made the mistak
| of supposng that il knew all the facts
| or, at any rate. that what it did no
| know was not worthy knowing
English Diplomacy Fails.
Lord Salisburys mistakes have give
| to Russia the dominant position in tn
| far East. probably ten years befor
| the Irresistible course of events woul
| have given II.
| One section of the British cabinet de
| sired to notify Russia that England wa
| willing TO let her have an ice-free por
| In YungknG Bay, on the eastern coas
| of Korea-Port Lazaroff, to wit-with
| consequent protectorate over or tn
| annexation of Korea, but that Englan
| would fight rather than acquiesce in tn
| annexation of Manchuria or Port Al
thur Lord Salisbury satisfied himsel
that Russia would fight. and, as he di
| not think it worth lighting for, as far d
| England was concerned, he persuade
the cabinet that England's policy shoul
| be to seek compensation elsewhere.
betrayed Japan May Object.
If your correspondents informatto
Is correct, Balfour will inform the Con
mons on Tuesday that compensation Ia
been obtained for the acquisition of tn
| Chusan Archipelago and possibly of al
| other naval base as well, together wit
| the recognition by Russia France an
| Germany of the Angio-Chinese arrange
ment, already made public. II this
correct nobody will be able to deny tha
| England has made a fairly good thin
out of the scramble. What Detraye
Japan will have to say is quite a di
| ferent matter.