The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-06-26
Devoted Agricultural Fredericksburg
ASIA A STORM CENTER.
Vast War Threatened by the Present Stu
alton.

atl0n,
A game Of international politics
whose results may reorganize the map
OF large part Of the world is now CEN
tering around the ancient Empire Of
China Should 1t be played TO con.
clueion-and there is imminent danger
that this Will be done-not only the
great powers Of Europe but even the
United States may pass through a war
whose horrors would make those Of the
South African struggle appear insig
nihcant. No mere temporary settle
ment, 1t is now feared, can long avert
a gigantic conflict for the possession Of
China and perhaps the whole CONT.
nent OF Asia
Once msddened with the hunger for
land and blood. there is no telling
where the world powers will be satia-
ted. From the present outlook thei o
powers will be ranged on the one side.
Russia md France On the other side
England and Japan, with perhaps GET
many or the United States or both
The crisis has been precipitated by
the South African war Russia. with
England occupied IN South Africa. has
seized the OPP Htunity TO carry out
ong-oherished schemes which other
wise might have been years in culmi.
Mating. She has acquired control Of
Persia, which gives her base from
which TO menace India aud also an ont
let on the Persian gulf and Indian
Ocean The Turkish Sultan has been
forced to give the Car railroad conces
sions in Asia Minor which are believ.
ed to amount TO practical monopoly
of control in Northern Asia Minor and.
last, and most important Of all. Russia
has acquired practical control Of the
Chinese Government.
This has been accomplished largely
through the Chinese Empress Dowsger,
who makes and unmakes Emperors,
changes heirs to thrones and appoints
or displaces Viceroys at will. The fret
evidence Of the Empress attitude has
been seen in the sudden fostering OF
the anti. foreign feeling in China This
is not directed 80 much against Russia
which is willing to let the Chinese
have their own religion. as against the
English, Germans and Americans, who
send missionaries TO prCselyte the
Chinese. The development Of anti
foreign societies, such as the "Box.
ers, b" has been Systematically stimu.
lated.
The United States, under the policy
being experimental with by President
Mckinley and Secretary Hay. has a
three-fold interest in China.
First The Philippine possessions ="
give her an Interest " in that part OF
the world which. according to the &C.
cepted rules Of Old World diplomacy,
she must watch and protect
Second. The recent negotiations OF
Secretary Hay for the "open door "
made the United States participant in
the Chinese question.
Third. The massacre # American
missionaries and the firing upon U. s.
marines and gun.b boat must be noticed.
England, feeling doubtful OF her own
ability TO thwart the Cars schemes in
China while she is conquering the
Beers, is believed TO be seeking by all
means in her power to induce the Uni.
ted States to help her The impression
has gone forth in the European capitals
that the Government at Washington is
practically allied with England to the
extent Of aiding her at least while the
South African war is in progress.
The American warships now In Obi
nese and Japanese waters are the Ore.
gon, Monadnock, Newark, New Orleans
and Wheeling, with perhaps Others
These are all modern ships Of great
fighting power. The United States
may also send troops from the Philip.
pines to protect the missionaries.
1t is not believed that sea power can
now decide the Chinese question. This
was at one time possible. Bot Russia's
wonderful Siberian railroad has changed
the situation to large extent, making
her independent Of the sea.
A glance at the map will show this
railroad. like a great hand, reaching
out TO grasp oil Asia II is now com:
pleted except for comparatively short
section north of Fort Arthur.
Enormous masses Of troops-millions
il need be--can be sent over the railroad
from st. Petersburg to Pekin. Il is
said that Russia has all the way from
75, 600 to 150 600 troops in Manohuria
Northern Ohlna) now. How can they
be checkedY This is the problem which
England seeks to solve.
Russia can hurl masses Of troops into
Pekin. Japan would also have great
advantages in this line and could extend
them TO her allies
Every day the South African conflict
lasts serves to make more imminent
clash between the great Powers in Asia.
The war feeling is aroused. Where viii
il stop?