Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08
Germany's Part in the Chinese Prob
lem Discussed.
AMERICAN COAL IN GREAT DEMAND
Average English City Vote Costs
Close to Four ShiIIings.
CHEAPER IN THE COUNTIES
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star


eve of a new, quite unexpected and highly
important development of the political sit
uation in the far east. The inimical atti-
tude existing between Russia and Japan is
well known enough; the novel factor is the
appearance of Germany as third party in
the struggle-not, however, as arbiter be-
tween the others, but as partner with Rus
STA against Japan. The combination of
Russia and Germany in China is a very
formidable one, and is not less dangerous to
the interests of the rest of the world than
of Japan. The strongest reasons can be
advanced which appear not only to Indicate
that there is an excellent understanding
between the two great military powers of
Europe, but also to show that they have
very definite aims with respect to China at
the expense of the other powers. So far as
Japan and England are concerned with
north China, the portion of the Chinese
empire believed to be covered by the Russo
German understanding, their interests are
to considerable extent identical. Some
we!l-fnformed diplomats go so far as to say
that there is secret treaty between Ger
many and Russia. While this may not ex-
actly be the case, the grounds upon which
is built belief that there is a complete
understanding are: First. Germany is
sending a large army to China-the figure
is placed as high as $4,000 men-and the
whole forces of the international powers
ere to be commanded by the German field
marshal, Won Wadersee. Now. German
interests in China do not call for so large
en- army, unless Germany contemplates a
forcible military occupation of Chinese ter
ritory. japanese statesmen declare that
there is absolutely no need for such a
strong German force. Hitherto the Jap
anese soldiers have been in the majority,
the size of their contingent to the army of
the allies being $4,000 men, more than one
half of the whole. Japan thought she was
entitled to have one of her generals COM
mander-in chief, though she would have
been pleased If even an Englishman or
American had been selected. She knows
that the keynote of English and American
policy in the far east is China for the
Chinese" and she believes they are sincere
in this policy. She has no such confidence
in Germany, though the kaiser has given
all publicity to the statement that he de-
sires to see no Partition OF China She
poets Won Waldersee because he is a Ger
man, and is convinced that his policy to-
ward Japan will be hostile. She does not
forget that Germany went out of her way
to join Russia and France against the
Japanese in 1895. 1t is remarkable, Japan
says, that Russia has no word of protest
against this large German army being sent
to China and she can only account for 1t
by supposing that Russia has privately
given her assent. the arrangement being
based on mutual secret but well-defined add
vantages. l intmated something of this
some time since, and there now seems no
doubt that Russia will shortly, by Ger
many's help. fix herself firmly in Man
churia, while Germany helps herself to
slice of territory covering a good part of
the Shantung province. 1t will be a very
pretty arrangement, and in order TO accom-
plish ii with greater ease friendly adj
vances. I hear, will be made to the United
States. II remains to be seen whether
America and England will fall in with the
deal
l should not be surprised II some acute
diplomatic developments arise within the
next few days, for the relefJof Pekin being
accomplished, the allies should by now be
contemplating an early return to the coast,
or as soon as there is some semblance of
authority in Pekn. Then will occur Ger
manys opportunity for disclosing the al
legged secret treaty Even. in Berlin the i'm
preston is spreading that Waldersee's cam
paign Is to be prolonged affair. Some con-
Germ on the point IS being already shown by
the German liberals, who are growing more
and more critical toward Emperor Will
liam. picturesque Illustration of this is
afforded by their attitude on the kaiser's
theatrical offer TO the German troops Of
handsome rewards for each European saved
from Pekin. that was made at a time when
the safety of the white men in the Chinese
capital was doubtful. 1t has been calculat-
ed that the reward amounts to f1S0OOO
no Is to pay 1.-THE kaiser or the imperial
government? The former has shown no
desire so far to fulfill his pledge. but he is
already being told pretty plainly that he
must pay 1t out OF his own pocket
IiectioH Expenses.
A general election seems approa ching.
Among the incidental preparations which
continue fitfully to be made may be noted
the offer which, I learn, is being circu
lated among probable candidates by an en-
terprising firm of London photographers.
They are sending these politicians button
bearing the prime minister's likeness, with
an intimation of a readiness to submit
prices for the same size button with copy
OF the candidates own portrait from their
political series. Candidates had better be
on their guard, however as the laws of this
country are very strict on the subject of
election expenses.
All expenses of each candidate are audited
carefully. and If they exceed what the
judges consider proper amount to be
spent in the constituency under considera-
ton the man, II elected to parliament. Is !
best electioneering lawyers that the supply |
of such buttons by the candidate might be |
declared by an election judge to be an |
Illegal practice The corrupt practices act |
of 1883 is emphatic with reference to the |
of payment or contract for pay |
ment f'r bands of music, torches, flags, |
banners, cockades. ribbons, or other marks |
OF distinction, and it would doubtless be |
highly dangerous for candidate for parlia- |
ment to adopt our American button custom. |
In the days before passing of the corrupt |
practices act. the satisfaction of signing |
M p" after your name cost more than |
1t does In these enlightened times. At the |
elections of 1874 and 1850 it cost q successful |
candidate anything between f1,0O0 and |
t3OO0 II he represented a county, and about |
1861 II returned by borough constituency. |
In 1892 the average had been reduced to |
less than Il, 100 in the case of a county, and |
about 1900 In the case of a borough con- |
|
The total cost of the election of 1895 was |
tH3.333.O.3, reduction Of f1S5, 1913. 10 101s, |
as compared with 1892. and the grand total |
or votes poiled was 1885,, 600, and the aver |
age cost per vote was 3s. sgd. |
In the English counties the average cost |
was As: lid per vote, the total expense |
to 1861. 711.4.7
In the boroughs 1855. 032 votes were regis |
Tered at an expense OF f231, 0G21 1912, or Is. |
loa per vote on an average,
me register for the coming election Is |
considerably larger than that of 1895, and |
the cost OF the campaign will. therefore. be |
American Goal.
Coal brought direct to the Thames from
America is an economic event of no slight |
Importance. and although 1t will not solve
the great coal problem of this country, 1t
VIII certainly have q mitigating effect on
the imitation Of prices under which we are
at present suffering. Most of the coal which