The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-01-25
MAY BE A FIRE-BRAND
PROBLEM TO RESTRAIN HER
FROM IMpETUOUS ACTION.
DEPARTURE OF her FLEET OMNIBUS
Ia Diplomatic Game Salisbury Has Outplayed
Russia, While Germany Has Been Most
SkHffuI of the Three, Caressing Both
London and St. Petersburg.

Ooypri@nt. 1888. by Associated Press
London. Jan. 22.-WhiIe events are
moving with somewhat rapidity in the
far east and complications may any
day develop a situation fraught with
momentors dangers, when the known
facts and the position of affairs are
analysed there is really not much reason
at the present moment to suppose that
"A solution of the crisis will be found in
a resort to war. There is reason to
believe that diplomatic circles do not
fear tlat it will I've necessary to appeal
to arms. uuiesS tand this is the dam
geroUs feature of the situation), Japan
breaks from her mentors. SO far rs the
European powers are concerned, the
diplomats throughout are satisfied that
the Chinese question will not break the
peace of the world; but. they have al
ways feared that Japan will prove Il
fire brand.
mics SHE can he restrained from
impetuOuS action, the departure of her
fleet from Yokohama to-day for Chinese
waters. may prove To he the striking Of
the match which may lead to Il dreaded
contlagration.
Leaving oHt the possibility Of war,
the diplomatic game is most interest
ing. The Marquis of Salisbury is slow
in playing his t~ruunl,s. but unless Rus
STA and France have some up their
sleeves, it would appear that he has j
decided advantage. for tine British
Premier has forced Russia to show her
hand. She no longer concealS the fact
tlsut she regards the whole of Manchuria
and the ~Iio-Iung peninsula as being
her ejXclusivc prey. but insisting that
Ta-Lien-Wan tnortheaSt of Port Ar
thus be made Il treaty port. the Mar
Glis of Salisbury mas countered the
Muscovite designs on Port Arthur for
the Eaters strategic value without Ia
Iien-NNan.
France. of course. resents the proposal
to open Nan-Ning. which would clash
with her exclusive interests in Tonquin.
while both Russia and France are
deeply concerned in Great Britain's
claim to extend the Burmese railroad
into the Chinese province of 1un-Nan.
France has secured privileges in Yum
Nan. which would be seriously aiscom-
NEEDED by the British railroad divcrtins
to tle north tie commerce of such Il
rich province. while a railroad from
Rangoon to Shangh,- (Which WOuld be
the natural outcome of Great Britain's
ttIlIslIltI~1 NbttItl. 1T ii tlISslSlIotlS coupe
titor of the great tran>-Asiatic line
from Sanrarcand to Port Arthur. which
Russia is SO ka~boriously constructing.
As the Associated Press has indicated
throughout. there seems to be az under
standing between Germany and Great
Britain: but. Germany, at the same
time. has so skillfully played her cards,
alternately caresSing st. Petersburg and
London, that the relations between both
capitals are better than for Il long time
past. The firm, confident tone of the
British Ministerial utterances. en-
phaSiZcs that Great Britain does not in
tend to reced4 from the main points of
the position she has taken up. and the
Cabinet Ministers are merely yOicing
the determination Of the country. which
recognizes that if Great Britain gives
way noW. she will only have to fight the
battle in the future, when the com
pletiDn Of the Siberian railroad will rem
der 1t more diff cult to count upon a
bloodless triumph. While. therefore.
the present situation is admittedly pres-
nant With possibilities, it need not be
assume that peace is endangered. and
war will follow if Great Britain MAIN
tains the ground she has taken up.
Verbal buster and naval displays are
only the usual accomplishments of great
diplomatic struggles, and are intended
to test the enemy's nerve. In the mean
while, it may be observed that, While
Great Britain is unlikely to bulge from
the broad principle, which the Chancel-
Tor Of the EXcheQuer. Sir Michael Hicks
Beach enunciated, there are glimpses OF
the fact that the negotiations ut Pckin
should be accepted as necessarily final.
AS a sample Of the credibility attach
able to the various rumOlS in circulation,
the British Admiralty explicitly denies
the accuracy of the reports circulated
here on Thursday last as to the strength
ing Of the navy by 5000 men 5000 ad-
dltiOnal StokerS to be eugag cd during
the present quarter). and the Immediate
commissioning of the reserve frSt-class
battleship Hannibal. now at Portsmouth
As usual. therc TX every explanation
of the sudden rush Of British troops to
E~gypt-eXcept the right one. VIVA
really seems to have happened is thai
Col. Parsons, while en- route to take
over kas>2la. from the Italians fOund
King Menelik. Of Abyssinnia, in the
greatest state of wrath at the surrender
of the town (which his majesty regarded
as part Of his dOmain). to the Egyptians
and he was modifying IN army with the
intention Of asserting his authority. Il
King nIeneEk should be acting, as sus
pccted, III concert with the Mahdi, the
danger of the situation is greatly en-
HANGED. especially if there is truth il
the stories, (Which are leakin. out Jus
now, of the existence of dissatisfactiO
among General Kitchcnors Soudanese
who are real fighters, and the reporte,
lack OF backbone shown by the Esyp
tians during the last operations.
1t is rulnored that Emperor Franci
Joseph. OF Austria, will shortly an
nr,an t1n ln4 pnt1nl ~f 4Io Al ~
chess Elizabeth. daughter Of the lat
Crown Prince Rudolf. to tho Kinr q