The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-10
SITUATION IS
VERY SERIOUS.
London Newspapers Disturbed
Over Chinese Matter.
A SHAMEFUL GAME OF GRAB.
Chronicle Declares That Is What the Euro
pean Nations Are Playing.
UNITED STATES NOT CONCERNED IN IT
The Cnly NalIon Tha Ras MOI Attempted Grabbing
Practices Indications Of an impending
Event in ihs Far East.

LONDON. March lo.-The Daily Graphic
Gays: The Niu-Chwang loan contract
crisis has been amicably settled by a
direct exchange of views between the
British and the Russian governments.
The Russian assurances are completely
satisfactory The whole difficultv Is
ended. and the two governments are ar
ranging a scheme by which their rela-
tons In the far east may be permanently
| regulated
The Chronicle thinks IL would be hard
10 sketch in a few words a more threat
/ ening situation than that presented by
! Minister M2cDonald's ultimaturn 1t de-
1 clares tnht the European powers. ever
since Germany's descent upon Kiao
Chou bay, have been playing a shame
less game OF grab The United States is
the only nation that has not taken part
In the game. " the nations concerned
do not confer betimes and arrive at a
reasonable and stable understanding
there VIII be war sooner or later. The
paper calls. on parliament TO compel
Lord Salisbury TO give an account of the
British policy.
The Standard congratulates Lord
Salisbury on his uncompromlsing firm
ness, and rejoices that he is determined
10 vindicate British interests 1t is said
that unless the hint OF retributory meas
ures Is "A mere harmless thunderbolt IL
must be inferred that Minister Mac
Donald's ultlmatum will be followed by
something stronger than words IL the
occasion arises, but the Chinese foreign
Office has not often refused a British de-
mand when IL believed IL was made in
earnest, and it is not likely to do in this |
instance. The paper adds 1t is useless |
to disguise the truth. Our difficulties /
with the Chinese foreign office are main |
ly due 10 the coercion Of Russia who is |
engaged in what seems ~ be thedeib- /
crate policy OF rendering herself supreme |
in northern China and attempting to ex-
clude Great Britain therefrom. The rea. |,
question: is whether the time has not I
come for some definite settlement which ]
will end this process Russian initiative
has led to that scramble for China which
1t was the avowed policy OF Great Bril-
tain. IL possible, to prevent. Partition
Is actually taking place under our eyes
The paper refers TO the Italian ana
Belgian demands, and declares that
Japan also is keenly watching, but the
key Of the situation is in our hands The
other powers will be ready TO follow our
lead. 1t is necessary for all the powers
interested TO come TO an agreement re-
specting the future OF China. The issue
has been avoided chiefly because OF tho
natural reluctance 10 bring two great
world empires into direct conflict. pos
sibly revealing irreconcilable antagon-
SIN. but formidable as that danger may
ne. it will only gather intensity by post
ponement.
There are many surface indications OF
tome great impending event in the far
,ast. Russia is pouring regiment after
egimcnt into Port Arthur, New Chwang
ind Talien- Wan. and will have within
ew weeks at least o.c00 veteran troops
eady for any emergency. Germany is
her cruiser squadron at Kiao
'hou. Great Britain is strengthening
Ter fleets at Wei-Hal-Wei and Hong ,
Kong. Italy has two warships at San
iun bay and has dispatched a powerful
quadrCn from the Mediterranean
rance has been strengthening her ,
orces at Tonquin and on the island Of ;
lainan and has been transporting i'm
lense quantities OF war material TO the I
asst. 4
From PeNin comes the hint that the {
me for the partition OF the Chinese en- ,
ire is AT hand. Italy's action In de- I
landing practically all the province Of G
he-Kiang seems 70 have been the first [
suit OF an understanding between her q
'if and Great Britain. II has already {
zen announced that Germany proposes
extend her territorial possessions in
han TunS peninsula, and is gathering
fleet for the purpose France has forced
ON China n treaty giving her a prac- e
cal protcctorate over the southern n
'ovincgs OF Yurnan, Kwangsi and a
weichau. b
Tn the meantime China is confronted al
tn rebellion In the central provinces. al
narcly seems 10 pervade very part Of IN
g empire. The Chinese army is dis l..
ganized. the authorities are unable m
her e. protect the lives and property y,
thu foreigners or to punish those hi
own TO he guilty Of murder and depre-i OF
tion CO
Foreign consuiatcs AT Pekin even that IN
the United States. are guarded by OF
cir own troops. and the uniforms OF ii,
itish French Russian. German and bc
ner'can marines have been familiar
the people of the Chinese capital for
,nths.
nina is the richest ncld in the worlt
''' ~0~~''rst. The en- ! o.