Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-20
Russia and United States the Most
Prominent Factors.
FORMER AFTER MORE TERRITORY
This Country's Only Intent is Ex-
panding Its Commerce.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

Alexander Hume Ford in Golfers Weekly
Since the simultaneous conquest of Ma
Mia by America and the occupation of Port
Arthur by Russia in May. 1888. these two
nations. so opposite in methods and politics.
have become the predominant powers in
northern China, and their influence is Still
spreading
The closing year Of the nineteenth CEN
fury finds them for the first time forced
into a temporary armed alliance for the
protection of their mutual interests in the
far east. The one seeking to maintain and ex-
tend the commercial! supremacy so suddenly
acquired chiefly by reason of the recent ter
ritorial acquisitions of the other; both NOV
ing forward to extend spheres of influence
America to make commercial conquest,
Russia to add more territory to her al
ready vast domain. Ostensib'y the protec-
ton of the lives and property of foreigners
in China is the sole object of the naval and
military move upon Pekin. but it is not
to be expected that golden opportunities
will be thrown away when they present
themselves as they will.
Ever since the China-Japanese war was
waged in and about the Gulf of Pechili that
part Of the world has remained the great
political center Of international danger
Here. in spite of the opposition of almost
every other nation, in two years Russia
has attained almost complete territorial
control, while America has become COM
mercially the mistress of these waters,
the vast preponderance of her $50 100000 of
exchange of trade with China now finding
its way to and coming from Russo Chinese
territory. where the building Of railroads
and planting of peasant colonies from be-
You'd the Trails has within a few years more
than quadrupled the demand for our COM
modities. The Jealousy of every European
nation has been aroused against us, our
commerce with China having risen in the
Ia 10 frnY oarf nP he oil
to Is per cent of the $3.50. 100000 worth of
Chinese exports and imports. almost equal
ing that of England and ahead of any
other nation.
Fight for Control of Trade.
This gain has been at the expense Of our
competitors. among whom the fight is now
on for the control of the trade of this most
populous and wealthy nation of the world,
possessing, as 1t does. one-fourth of the
population and one-twelfth of the habtable
surface of our globe 1t needs but slight
excuse for the nations to assure each other
that the time has come when they must
agree among themselves upon a final dis
position of China whether it shall be d.
vided into spheres of influence, in which
exclusive rights to trade and plumber, or
its integrity maintained by international
agreement with open door to all and
special privileges to none.
America is the one nation above all others
to whom the maintenance of an "open
door, Is most vital: it guarantees to her
supremacy on the Pacific. and in the far
east 1t Is known as 1.-The American policy
its active PRONUNCIATION having marked our
decisive entrance into Chinese politics.
Fortunately, our providential acquisition
of the Philippines has placed us on a foot
ing of equality in Asia with the other pow
ers. and as Japan's war for the oppressed
Coreans worked her salvation, so our fight
for Cuba has had far-reaching beneficial
results: while Britain's conquest Of the At
rcan republics has worked only to her det-
rirnent and to our advantage, her warshps
in the far east being needed elsewhere,
leaving America. at a most critical juno
ture, the predominant naval power In the
Pacific.
Pekin is less than 300 miles from Port
Arthur Scores of transports and Russian
warships are always to be seen lowering
about, the latter port, while at Tien Tsin,
the outpost Of the Chinese capital. the Rus
sian flag IS the most common. and the COM
mercs OF the port is passing into the hands
of Russians and Americans; the cars
great trans-Asan railroad alone chartering
six ocean steamers to bring lumber from
Oregon to this port. while :shiploads Of ma
chinery from New York and cur Pacific
cities are constantly arriving at the Rus
sianized cities of the Pechili gulf. to. say
nothing, of some $6.0O0.O00 worth of our
-four that now goes into this section to feed
Russian troops. and Is being introduced
through them to the Chinese.
Increase in Our Exports.
Our exports Of cotton goods have in
creased by leaps and bounds. until now one
third Of our entire exports, of this fabric
find their way into Manchuria and northern
Asia Whom 1t is understood that the sue
cess Of the Boxers. whose avowed object is
to drive all foreigners out Of China and
once more shut its doors to their com
merce, would cause three-fourths of the
recently established cotton mills in our
southern states to close. besides costing the
manufacturers of the Pacific and eastern
states the loss Of $20000.OO0, it can readily
be seen that 1t is our policy to join hands
with the most powerful. friendly power in
the far east to avert this catastrophe.
Japan, 1t 10 true. could give US the re-
cupation Is concerned. but Japan is our one
great rival in the far east. We are rapidly
driving English manufacturers out Of the
market they have long monopolised. but