Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-09-01
THINKS RUSSIA WILL
COMBINE WITH CHINA
John W.. Bookwa;ter Sees Grave
J Complications in the Far
East.
GREATEST PROBLEM OF CENTURY
Believes That Russia VIII Join
Hands NTH China and That
Other Powers viii
BE Helpless.


London, Aug. misconceptions
of the Associated Press.) John W.
Bookwalter, Of Ohio, whose recent
books on Siberian and Asiatic prob
lens have been much quoted in re-
zen English papers, is now in Lon
don. In an interview with a repre-
sentative Of the Associated Press,
Mr.. Bookwalter said:
''The present situation in China, 1t
seems to me, is not at it's NOSE serious
phase, as it is likely to precipitate the
whole Asiatic problem, with it's many
complications, for permanent solution.
this problem. First, the double rela-
ton that Russia occupies toward
China. and that which Russia occu-
pies toward England, through her de-
tendency, India, for, since the build
ing and operation of the great Trans
Siberian and Trans-Caspian railroad
systems, Russia has been brought into
direct contact with China from the
hinterland. 1t is obvious, therefore,
That Russia is the most potent factor
in directing events which will deter
mine what the future relations of the
various nations shall be in the Asiatic
continent. The importance OF these
railroad situations and their bear
ing upon the Asiatic situation, and es-
pecially upon China, you may remem-
Der that | pointed out nearly two
years ago i'm 10y book on Siberia and
central Asia. 1 then said that this
system would have more 'f~ar-reaching
political, commercial and even ethno-
logical influence than any Industrial
or economic scheme that has ever
been conceived or executed 1t has
thrown England into q state OF alarm
for the safety of India and has caused
that descent of other nations upon
the Chinese ~littoral where, In n linn
tied area, there Is to be much future
strife, wrangling and perhaps profit
less warfare.
Have Changed the Situation.
"You can see how rapidly this pre-
diction has already been fulfilled. IT
is hardly likely that the contest be-
tween eastern civilization, represented
wholly by quantities, against western
civilization, represented by qualities,
which must inevitably occur, sooner
or later, would have developed ut the
present time had il not been for the
building of these great railroad lines,
the effect of which would be to estab-
lish a partial dominance of Russia in
Asiatic countries and which might be
regarded as u n to those nations
now holding spheres of influence there,
"a, ,pn1l al, a. tlA.a ,nkA N -, ha nAa.
sible partition Of China opportunities
for territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT. AS an
indication of this change, II might be
said that Russia was, ten years ago,
the farthest nation away from China,
separated by impossible steppes, and
without a navy, while all the other
European powers could reach the Chi
nese littoral by water. The building
OF these railroad systems has rapidly
changed the entire situation, bringing
China, politically and commercially, TO
the very doors of Russia and making
u coterminous body of from 1000 TO
5000 miles. In fact, il brings China in
physical contact with the Russian m
pire alone, her contact with other na-
tons being only through the depend
encies of those nations. In view of
these important facts il is easy to see
what is to be the probable relation OF
Russia to China, which seems to me
can only be of the most friendly char
acter, and to that end the maintenance
of the integrity of the Chinese empire,
especially the middle kingdom, is of
paramount Importance. / believe that
when a general showing of hands is
made ii will be apparent that il there
is not an actual alliance between Rus
STA and China there will be found to
be an intimate cooperation for the
maintenance of their political and
interests. Under these
considerations, it does not seem posi-
BILE that the partition of China among
the western powers can occur, nor
could a composite control be estab-
since Russia's imperial inter-
estes demand hat she deal with n per-
manent situation, such as q united
China would insure, rather than the
ever changing condition certain to
follow the division of China among
other nations.
Russia nnd China.
Suppose there existed in British
America a nation with three times
ne pOpuiHtlOH Oh the Onltcu states, |
that this country fell into evil ways
under insurrection, and that Euro
pean powers found it necessary to
send troops under cover of whom
they attempted to effect territorial
division or a composite control. The
States would rightly and inn
mediately say hands off, that this
nation bordered on the United States
and not on others, and hat no change
in the political status could be per-
without her consent. Under
the circumstances il would seem,
therefore, probable that an identical
note will be issued by Russia and Chi
ma in which they will jointly agree
to guarantee the integrity Of the Chi
nese empire, which is in direct line
the present expressed wishes of
the various powers, and also the safe
ty of foreign residents and the prop
arty of other nations in the country. !
Such a guarantee from so powerful
and reputable a nation as Russia I,
would carry with il such weight that
4 refusal to accede to it by the pow
srs would certainly lead up to q most
international situation and
very probably a clash of nations. 1t
seems to me that a direct refusal to /
iccede to such a proposition would
+hro\y the mighty Cmnires Russia and /