Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-18
WHAT 1T ALL MEANS.

WHAT 1T ALL MEANS.
After 25 years of scheming on the
part of the great powers of Europe,
the question of trade rights in the East
is now forcing itself on the attention
of the commercial world to an extent
which seems to foreshadow an early
climax.
The most important factor in the
present situation, probably, is the great
trans-Siberian railway that Russia is
burrying to the Pacific. This gigantic
enterprise is to have three termini on
the ocean, and it may be depended
upon to give to the czar control OF
north China. The czar's statesmen are
cunning. That fact has been admit
ted by the world from the time OF
Peter the Great until now. More than
one nation has gotten the information
at tremendous expense TO itself The
fact that they are thoroughly imbued
with the Russian idea of exclusive.
ness in trade, as well as everything
else, and everlastingly welded to the
doctrine of the "closed door," is rs
well understood. Then who can doubt
that if she once gets control of China,
she will exclude other nations I?
Russia is the one European power
which is opposing the extension OF
Anglo-Saxon influence and commerce
in the East. Her character and ten
denotes are so we'll understood that
there is no danger whatever in assum-
ing that it is her policy to close the
door of China and keep it shut by as
serting her paramount power from
within. France is a willing ally of Rus
sia, content to join the Muscovite and
take the chance of something being
thrown to her in the way of territory or
commercial advantages. Germany has
no more confidence in Russia than has
England or America ; but strenuously
endeavoring as she is to obtain a foot
hold in the East, it is not surprising
that she was unable to conceal her an
ger at us on account of our unexpec-
ted invasion and possession of the
Philippines, the best plum in the pie.
Though discomfitted, she is at loss as
to which way she should turn.
The English mind is welded 10 the
open door doctrine, and there is abun
dant reason to believe that Japan is a
secret supporter of the idea. In fact,
it is almost safe to say that England,
Japan and America will resist the ab.
sorption by Russia of any part of China,
and it is here that we may expect
the long promised collision between
the Sclavonic and Anglo. Saxon races
in the East. This means a worlds
combat-a battle for social and com.
mercial supremacy-and the United
States would have been drawn into it
even if Dewey had never sailed into
Manila bay, for how could she stand
aloof with Anglo-Saxon civilization
and Christianity as the stakes?
The Columbia State had long edi
torial the other day on the cruelty Of
the car in Finland. In his speech at
Wofiord college, six months ago, Sen
ator McLaurin called attention to this
ukase Of The czar, who is the pope of
the Greek Catholic church. The Firms
are Protestant, and, therefore, the cZar
intends to crush them. The senator's
recent letter shows that he understands
the industrial aspect of the whole mat.
ter, and this quotation from that same
Wofiord speech, shows that he is as
we'll informed on the social and reli
gious aspects:
We are rapidly approaching another
great crisis in the history of the world, in
which is involved the destiny of nations.
Napoleon, Il century ago, in prophetic
vision, saw this crisis when he said "the
next 100 years would see the world either
CosSack or republican," This war be-
tween the Germanic and Sclavonic civil
izatons is slowly. but surely approach-
ing climax. There can he no compro-
mise between them. The one represents
ignorance, bigotry and the slavery of
mankind, while the other represents in
telligcncc, professionalism and human free
dom. The one or the other must finally
survive. History is nothing more than
the survival of races and race ideas. The
lAnglo-SaXon on one side is the leader in