The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-07-03

Russia, not being a manufacturing nation, has
relied on us to supply the material for her
Asiatic railways, and the machinery for the dc.
velopmcnt of her new poss ssions in the far eat,
so that our interests in China have become in.
tcrwoven. Our warshps and the Russian army
transports appear to have been the first to ar
rive at the scene Of trouble, which might
have been quickly terminated, but for Japan's
protest against the landing Of 1900 Cos,acks
at Tcn Tsin, the mikado's advisers knowing too
well that, once Russian troops entered Pckin,
the occupancy would be permanent
The Boxers represent the lingering embors
of the great TAPPING rebellion, now again famed
into flames. With their annihilaton by the
great powers, "Young China" will rise supreme
and at once proceed with its programme for the
regeneration Of China The richest coal and
iron mines in the world will be opened up, a
complete system of rail and river transportation
established, and mills, foundrics and factories
will spring up all over the empire. Excellent
coal is even now sold at thousands Of inland
mines at IL cents a ton, and iron ore at a
proportionatey low figure. With the compile
tion of the projected railroads the distinction
of being the great stocl.producing nation seems
destined to pass from America TO China. After
we have supplied the machinery and equipment
for developing the limitlcSs mineral resources
Of China she will doubtless be able to supply
many commodities so chcaply that other nl.
tion can compete WITH her, that the opening
up Of China. while it will pour vast oceans Of
wealth into our pockets, is not devoid Of serious
dangers which threaten future generations. So
IT. behooves us to he active and enrich ourselves
now, against the rainy day which seems destined
to come upon us after season Of commercial
sunshine.
The czar earnest in his leadership Of the peace
element, holds tight rein the war party,
which would precpitate Russia into endless
trouble in the far east by annexng great, popu-
lous regions which would be of little value to
Russia for many years to come. The wiser
counsels OF the c2ar seem to prevail, and now
Russia ,absorhs territory only as she needs it
for her ovcrfowing population That the Rus
sionization of China will be eventually accom-
pshed seems inevitable. In a single decade
Russia has planted colony of more than a
million souls in her Pacific provinces, besides
spending hundreds Of millions Of rublcs in pre-
pairing the country for their habitation. Rail.
roads, cities and manufacturing towns have
sprung up like magic Hundreds OF steamers
have been built to ply the newly opened Chin
waters. The feycrish, powerful activity Of
Russia has no counterpart in the history of the
world. Its greatest danger arises from the
fact that at any time the war party at St.
Petersburg may prcdominatc, China would be
invaded ana It's nlnlaTN FORCES WuuId DC ICo'-
ganized into a Russian army; rifles and modern
ordnance would take the place Of bows and ar
rows, making China, in its DOWNFALL more than
ever a menace to the peace Of the world De.
spite the fact that handful Of japanese, we'll
armed, completely routed multitudcs Of Chinese
who relied on Gagged tigers and fierce masks to
frghten off the dwarfs, military commanders Of
all nations still affirm that the Chinese, under
competent officers, make the best fighting ma
tcrial in the world. Like his cousin german,
Russian soldier. the Chinaman is a atalist by
nature; he will 90 where he is led, company
after company being moved down without com
plant or in any way damaging the esprit de
corps of the army. The supply OF food for
cannon in China is almost inaNhausrible. With
the conquest Of China the S,O000OO soldiers OF
the czar, who compose the army Of Russia when
on a war footing, could be increased to 10000 OoJ
fighting men. most of whom could live ineN-
pcnsively on a handful Of rice day.
With such an army Russia could dictate terms
to the world for the Chinese are among the