The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1900-07-27
THE EASTERN QUESTION.
Editor HERALD:


Editor HERALD:
The world is shocked by the sud
den and sanguluarv reopening of the
Eastern question. Russian machina-
tions have at last eliminated in the
embodiment of the Western nations
with the worlds Oldest empire. An
opportune moment was chosen when
Britain's hands were tied in South
Africa. The dream of the Russ Is
universal empire, with Asia as the
beginning. With China possessed
by the Giant Of the North, vast
aImies could be mustered, and Asia
would be absorbed. Japan realizes
That, with China digested, she her
self would furnish the next meal for
the Bear. S'lf preservation prompts
her to seize Corea, ii possible, and
head off Russian aggression. Two
thirds Of China's foreign trade Is
with England. That country $
policy is dictated by her commercial
element. That class demands the
"open door." England will fight for
her Chinese markets. Thus at the
present stage, Japan and England
are natural allies. Germany aud
America are competing with Eng
land for the trade OF the world
With England, they are Interested
in the "open door" France is the
tail of the Russian kite. It is her
opportunity 10 distress her assumed
natural enemies - Germany and
England. Her reward Is probably
10 be the extension of the boundaries
of Torquin, at the expense of China.
Italy and Austria are the minor
partners in the triple alliance. They
follow the lead of Germany.
America has cast off her swaddling
clothes and become a "world. power. ="
Johnny Bull pats Uncle Sam on the
back and congratulates him upon
his accession to the worlds concert;
declares there Is nothing ID compare
with the strenuous life." He wants
America to aid Japan and the other
powers in pulling his chestnuts out
of the fire. So much for the interests
and the positions of the eight powers
who are hurting themselves upon
the Flowery Kingdom.
Already 10000 Chinese, armed
with the most approved European
weapons. have repulsed 1000 of the
allies. The latter, after reinforce
ment, succeeded in defeating the
Chinese. If three Chinese are equal
to one European, the aspirations of
the latter are hopeless. The Chinese
are reported to have already mobi-
LIKED $4,000 men. The allies cannot
put one third that number in China
under six months. China is a
country without roads. Nearly all
commodities, away from the water
courses, are carried upon the backs
of men. Horses, except for the
small Tartar ponies in the north, are
rare. If Pekia Is taken. the Capital
can be removed. The only feasible
way for the powers to secure in
| demnity is to seize the ports and
| collect the customs duties. Their
warships may ascend the rivers and
do some damage, but it would be q
hazardous and profitless business for
| the allies to subjugate and garrison
the whole Empire as England is do
ing the Boer republics.
1t is reported that Chinese armv
ia to invade Siberia. This will
afford Russia the desired excuse
for pouring her armies into the
Northern Providences. To offset
this, England attempts to prevail
upon the other powers to give Japan
practically free hand in the march
to Prkin. Both Russia and Japan
are prepared to make great sacri
fees. This will call for the greater
indemnity. China proper contains
less than half the area of the En-
pire. Manchuria. Mongolia ard
Thibet. with over half the area, have
but 10000 600 population. Corea
a tributary state, has only q few
million. When the day of settle
ment comes Russia will possess
Mongolia and Manchuria, and hel
! Cossacks will be impertinent guests
in Thibet. Japan, if backed by She
other powers, will hold Russia il
check as far as Pekin or the Manchr
border, and may be given a protec
torate over Corea. But the Bpal
that walks like man" will have
gained his point-his coveted terri.
tory, and will bice his time for the
next advance.
| lie IuSSIduS are all OTIHIUdI DeO
pie. They are the descendants al
the ancient Scythian hodes-a mix
ture of Tartar and European blood.
With the institutions of the Orient
and the ambitions of the Occident
what more natural than that she
should become master of Asia?
Nap Icon predicted that Europe
would become Cossack or republi
can. He realized that only free in.
situations could combat Russian des
potism. With Asia in Russia's
grasp, the liberties OF the Western
European states would be leopard
lied.
The opportunity of ages was pre-.
scented to the American people.
We might have planted republic
at the threshold of Oriental des
potism. But history ever repeats
itself. National eupidity could no
Withstand the temptation 20 subju
gate weaker people, whom chanc,
had thrown in our way. The Philip
pine Republic would have served al
beacon lighI to Asia's down-trod
den millions-half the human race
Russia in her dream of World En-
pire, would be baffled and powerle IS
CAIUS.