The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-24

ago, when the present necessity for for
eign Intervention in China was undream-
ed of in Europe or America, And yet
when Russia prepared to land an army In
China, Japan filed an angry protest at
Picking. Count Cassini the Russian am
bassador to the United States, sailed for
home, Yamagata resigned, the Marquis
Ito is again premier Of the japanese cab
met. and the japanese fleet has been mo-
bilizec
The events OF the next few days may
make up the issues OF war between Rus
STA and Japan.
At any rate, whether car and mikado
come to blows. or whether the Boxers
are eNterminated or triumphant, the
events of the last two weeks have
brought the final breakup of the Chinese
empire nearer to actual realization. And
when the final breakup comes all the
greater powers of Europe will be at hand
10 seize their respective parts in the spells.
Scramble for Territory.
There is not likely. however. TO he more
than mere diplomatic friction in the diyi-
sion OF China. The larger portion Of the
old empire has already been "staked OUT
by the European powers. Great Britain.
Russia. France Germany and Italy all
have their spheres of influence" toier-
ably well defined. and there Is little left
to quarrel over.
brief history Of Europe's scramble for
Chinese soil is important at this moment
TO all who are keeping in touch with the
history making events In the Orient
Portugal was the nrst nation OF Europe
to infringe upon the territorial integrity
Of the Chinese empire. As long ago az
1886 Portugal leased the island OF Macao.
near Hongkong. holding possession con-
tnuousiy until Iva. when the port and
settlement were finally cedod in full SOW
ereignty. In 1874 Great Britain took pos.
session % Hongkong. France secured A
cession Of Cochin China In 1862. increas-
! ing her territory from time 60 time by
wars OF aggression against the natives
| hut the great scramble for Chimes, ter.
ritory did sot begin until Immediately
/ after the conclusion ~ the Chinese-Japnr.
| ese war. Russia and Germany led In the
| International loo,ing expeditions RuRsls
| had long wanted naval base on the
| Pacinc open 70 her varships the wear
| around. Her only naval base ln the orr
| Ont was At Niadivosiok a harbof ice
| bound eight months IN every year. when
Japan had whipped China into submits.
| sion japanese troops held Port Arthur
| an IDEAL harh0r. open tho year around
| Russia and Germany came 70 the rescue
! ~ China. and on plea 81 defending tina
! territorial integrity ~ tAe Chinese empire
| compelled Japan 10 give up Port Arthur
| Thc motive ~ the csAr became appar-
| en-, when on March q. ISIS, n was am.
| bounced at -. Petersburg ard thus
| throughout au Europe that China had
| leased" Port Arthur and TaIienwan 10
/ Russia FOR twenty-five wears Needless
I To say n Russian hess occupied 10th mar.
| bors simuIta aeousiy with the Announce
! msuf. on May : - tAs sama year an adj
/ ditiouai agreement vas signed bet ween
| china ANA RGsria bY which fhe latter So
/ cured sphere % influence" In Ire en-
| tire Manchurian peninsula. one % ihe
! richest provinces 81 the empire Under
/ This agreement % WAS arranged taaf a
| branch NJ the siberian railway should o.
/ constructed to Port Arthur and Tatjen-
/ van. China also agreed ,hRt DO railway
/ concessions in Msnchufia should be given
| 20 any other power. that no foreign ron
! cssslons at all should he given In The zone
north ~ the Russian sphere u In
/ dueuce. and that no fresh ports should
/ be opened to trade in tha; territory
This agreemeu, with China gave 10 Rus
| STA the Manchurian province, embracing
an area Of $1,000 square miles equal in
as.zsIo Las states o. IoNa- Ii.laoiss AIaae-