The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-26
An Authority on Asiatic and Siberian
Problems Thinks the Crisis
Has Not Been Reached.
NATIONS MAY CLASH LATER
WHEN AN ATTEMPT is MADE TO
DIsMEMBER THE EMPIRE.
Russia May Join Hands with China
and Defy the Whole world
The Cars Interests.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
LONDON, Aug. 1s.-John w. Bookwalter.
of Ohio, whose recent books on Siberian
and Asiatic problems have been much
quoted in recent English papers, is now in
London. In an interview with represent
ative of the Associated Press. Mr.. Book
walter said:
1.-The present situation in China, it seems
to me. is not its most serious phase, as it is
likely to precipitate the whole Asiatic prob
lem, with its many complications, for per-
manent solution. There are two chief
considerations in this problem. First, the
double relation that Russia occupies to-
wards China, and that which Russia oc-
cupies towards England, through her de-
pendency, India, for, since the building
and operation OIL the great Transsiberian
and Transcaspian railroad systems. Rus
sia has been brought into direct contact
with China from the hinterland. IL is
obvious, therefore. that Russia is the most
potent factor in directing events which
will determine what the future relations
of the various nations shall be in the
Asiatic continent. The importance of these
railroad systems and their bearing upon
the Asiatic situation, and especially upon
China, you may remember, L fully pointed
out nearly two years ago in my book on
Siberia and central Asia. ] then said that
this system would have more 'for-reaching
political, commercial and even chronological
influence than any industrial or economic
scheme that had ever been conceived or
executed. 1t has already thrown England
into a state of alarm for the safety of
India and has caused that descent Of other
nations upon the. Chinese littoral, where.
in a limited area, there is TO be much fu-
ture strife, wrangling and, perhaps. profit
less warfare You can see how rapidly
this prediction has already been fulfilled.
1T is hardl, likely that the contest be-
tween Western civilization, represented
wholly by quantities, against Eastern civil
ization, represented by qualities. which
must inevitably occur. sooner or later.
would have developed at the present time
had IL not been for the building of these
great railroad lines. the effect OF which
would be to establish a practical dominance
of Russia in Asiatic countries, and
which might be regarded as a
menace TO those nations now hold
ing spheres of influence there. as well
as those who see in the possible partition
of China opportunities for territorial ag-
grandizement. AS an indication Of this
change, IL may be said that Russia was.
ten years ago, the furthest nation away
from China. separated by impossible
steppes and without navy. while all the
other European powers could reach the
Chinese littoral by water. The building OF
these railroad systems has rapidly changed
the entire situation, bringing China, po-
litically and commercially. to the very
doors of Russia and making contermi-
nous border of from four thousand TO five
thousand miles. In fact. 1t brings China
in physical contact with the Russian en-
pire alone. her contact with other nations
being only through the dependencies OF
those nations
I'm view OF these important facts IL &
easy TO see what is to be the probable re-
lation Of Russia to China, which seems &c
me can only be Of the most friendly char
acter, and TO that end the maintenance of
the integrity OF the Chinese empire. and
especially the middle kingdom. Is OF para
mount importance. believe that
when there Is general showing
Of hands Il win be made appa-
{coNTINpEp on FOURTH PXGEz