The Irish standard., 1899-03-18

could expel the Russians from Port Ar
thur, but when war once broke out be-
tween the two empires it could not be re-
stricted to the sea. England would have
all she could do to hold India and she
could not possibly prevent the Russians
from overrunning China.
But, it may be asked, could not Eng
lands shortcomings, in respect OF her
land forces, be made good, through an
alliance with Germany or with Japan,
each OF which has plenty OF trained SOL
diers? Mr.. Diosy answers that, although
Emperor William unquestionably desires
a cordial understanding with Great Brit
ain all over the world. he Seslres it only
on condition that the understanding shall
in no wise endanger the traditional
friendly relations with Russia, which
now, as when Prince Bismarck was chan
cellor, form the keystone OF German poll
cy. The notion that Germany would risk
war with Russia and France for the
sake OF carrying out England's program
in China is pronounced dream. AS re-
CARDS Japan, it is undeniable that its in
terests in the East are largely identical
with those of Great Britain, and that an
influential minority of its population is in
favor of cooperation with the English,
but only on condition OF securing COM
pact guaranteeing immunity from the
risks attending such an alliance.
There is, on the other hand, in Japan a
considerable party opposed to an alliance
with any Occidental power and convinced
that the wisest course for the nation to
pursue is an opportunist policy. Finally,
the majority of the Japanese not only
doubt England's earnestness in the pro-
lection OF her assailed interests in Eastern
Asia, but are also skeptical as to her abi-
ity to defend those interests by force of
arms.
The only thing England can do to
checkmate Russian expansion in the East
is to increase her army. British ships can
not intercept Russian troops conveyed by
railway into China and perhaps into India
and when the seaport towns are controll-
ed by her warships she must have soldiers
to land to meet the Russian forces The
British army in India is hardly strong
enough to resist Russian invasion. 1t
consists OF 2o4,252 men, 1890 OF them
being British and the rest natives, and
they could not be depended on in the day
OF trouble
No wonder the British people and the
Anglomaniacs OF this country have been
clamoring for an alliance or understand
ing between what they are pleased to
call the two Ango-Saxon nations"
England badly needs help to hold her
present possessions in the East, not to
speak OF keeping an open door" in Chi
ma. Much as the Mckinley advocates of
an imperial policy desire to aid England
i'll her sad predcamcnt our adninistra-
ton will be extremely careful to keep out
OF European and Asiatic complications
just now. The plutocrats have a big ele-
plant on their hands in the Philippines at
present, and it will test all the diplomacy
they possess to get out Of the difficulty
with any degree OF credit So far as
double, triple or quadruple alliances are
concerned, there is not the slightest prob
ability OF having any OF them in the i'm
mediate future. The overwhelming ma
jority OF the voting population is against
coalitions Of any kind, and the occupant
OF the White House has fully realized the
fact. England must sink or swim, sur
vive or perish without any assistance
from the soldiers and sailors OF this re-
public.