Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-05-21
RUSSIA BREAKS FAIH'
Acquires Coaling Station in Corea
In Violation Of Agreement
With Britain.
Mesampho Harbor Now Under Con.
troll Of the CzarJapan
May Act.
Her Interests as Well as That Of
England Menaced by the
Act.

London. May 21.-Britain's interests in
the fer east are again directly threat
lSened Russia has violated the pledge.
given fourteen years ago, not to occupy
Corean territory under any considera-.
lions whatever. She has acquired Me-
sampho.
Her act is a clear Illustration of Nus
covite pertidy. II Involves consequences
OF the gravest character consequences
more grave than any previous act Of
Russia in regent years in the far east.
In political circles here the feeling is
that Count Muravietf, in spite Of the
promises of the car, has taken advan-
tagged Brita;ns preoccupation else
where. Russia wanted Masampho har-
Dor TO supplement her means of defense
against any power, particularly Great
Britain, that might eventually challenge
Russian ambitions in China north of
the fang-Tse-l Siang.
II, acquiring the harbor, which is to
! b. used as q winter station for8the Rus.
star squadron in the North Pacific. she
secures an invaluable advantage. Ma.
sampho harbors supplements Port Ar
thur, and the twofwill constitute one of
the most formidable bases of aggressive
acton in the world.
Russia's coup occurs at time when
Lcrd Salisbury is leas. likely 10 resent
II actively. The ministesialist press Of
Britain refers to"a fragrant Violation Of
SOLEMN treaties, and asks whether
sven with Rritain's present distractions.
( Il Is Wiise 10 Ignore such a shameless
breach of faith. The liberal organs.
however. while declaring Russia's
breach Of filth TO be humiliating, pre-.
dict that Lord Salisbury Will ignore it.
II is suggested that knowledge that
Russia Was contemplating this move
was largely responsible for the alarnlist
tone Of his Primrose League speech. On
The other hand. II is pointed out that
Lord Salisbury has always contended
that there was room for both Britain
and Russia in Asia, and that. 80 far as
the great northern power is concerned,
British statesmen should spare no effort
10 reach an understanding With Russia
rather than try With her the issue of
forces
Speculation as to wha; japan will do
in the circumstances is keen. Ir the.
Russian acquisition of Masampho har-s
Dor the mikado SECS the last possibility
of japanese posse ssions on the Asiatic
mainland disappear. Once let Russia
establish herself firmly there and Japan,
as some of the shreMdest observers be-
lieye. Will be exposed TO perpetual men
ace. She Will be as much hampered as
Britain would be if the Belgians were
TO give the kaiser q naval base at Ant
jswerp.
One London paper suggests that Jap
L an may have consented to the arrange
ment ION terms" hut the author of this
ingenius theory does not attempt TO de-
fine thcternls. such a view is rid!culed
lin ministerial circles, where the ambi-.
tinna and courage OF the Japanese are
more highly rated.
II zig heldin such quarters that Japan,
brave, aggressive. ardent and already
fsplenGid|N armed on land, only awaits
Xthe development of her naval arm,
(which the early future VIII bring, TO
settle matters With Russia single hand
Ted. SO firmly is this conviction lodged
lin the mindssof those who are closest to
| the British foreign office that they have
long expected a Itusso-Japanese con-.
i3flict this spring.
| From time 10 time this possibility has
been refuted from Toxic. but the tre-
iinendous efforts of the japanese govern
1 ment to build great navy. altho ex-
I.plained TO be purely precautionary.
would be largely ncutralized We're Rus
aia TO carry out at. Masampho strategic
projects that can be easily conceived
/ In reviewing the situation the West
minister Gazette. a Representative liberal
journal. Gays in substance that the con-
4 ISOLATION of the Russian coup is the fact
/ hat St Petersburg will probably be
I sufficiently stated for the time in ac-
fquiring Masampho not to make any un-
necessary trouble fer Great Britain for
| settling the South African question in a
4 way To suit herself Atthe same time
there Is many a cynical fling at the
truce of the bear.
In this connection. by the way, there
Ino longer seems to be any concern about
/ 5Alnerican intervention in South Africa.
At the foreign office they assert that
\ President Mckinley will take no step
4 that is not acquiesced in by Great Brit
4 ain. This is said with such smiling as
isurance as to lead to the belief that
lord Salisbury has received fresh
4 hint of Washington's frame of mind
CHINESE RESIST INCUBATION.
No New Case of plague Arc Reported
nj san Francisco.
San Francisco, May e1.-There are no
4 NEW developments in the plague situa-
4 ton No new cases have been discov-
4 erred and the situation remains pr.ct;