The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-19
Circulation Statement.
! nisfntegrntfng Concert.

The nervous anxiety OF the British Gov
eminent TO minimize the peril of the sit
uation at Tientsin is the keynote of eur
London news today Great Britain is not
DESTROYS of a fight with Russia. and there
Will be none unless it he forced upon her.
Neither men nor money are available for
such an adventure fact fully within the
knowledge of the Cars Ministers. who
are not likely TO retire before the angry
gaze of the Lion. unless that animal
sho,.Id happen to be actively backed by q
double-headed eagle or two.
Notwithstanding British wishes. the
conditions at Tientsin, and elsewhere in
China. are so desperately infammable
that the danger OF conflict is evidently
very serious At Tientsin the rank and
file OF the French troops have made The
Russian quarrel their own; have invaded
the British settlement riotously. and are
generally in an ugly mood The situation
is so acute that the forces of all nations
are under arms. and in momentary ex-
pectation of trouble. Japan is again re
ported as preparing for war. It is alleged
tnat the hospitals and storehouses'
which Russia is building at MasampO, Ko-
rea. are in reality barracks for a eonsid-
cradle number of troops who have been
already landed. As this Is apparently in
violation OF the Russo-Japanese conven-
ton Of 1898. ana as Japan is understood
TO consider it vital to her peace and we'll
being 10 resist Russian encroachments at
ANY cost. there is but too much reason to
fear that the conhagration everybody Is
dreeding may break out in that quarter.
Concerning what the developments of
the coming weeks or days may be-
if would be idle 10 indulge in predic-
tior. or conjecture. The difficulties be-
tween Great Britain and Russia, and
Russia and Japan are not the sole
grounds for uneasiness- There is some
thing significant and perhaps sinister
abort the way the French are showing
their contempt for the British Empire,
which they no longer regard as j military
power It is 10 be feared that the French
nation If not its Government. would vel
come an AnglO-Russian war as he open
ing for France to attack her ancient enc
my at advantage. Only upon the by
pothesis of q firm offensive and defensive
alliance Of Great Britain, Germany, Aus
tria. Italy and Japan could this menace
u the peace Of Europe be dismissed as
unimportant.
Germany. rs usual Of late. holds the
halaEo. of power. If the ambitions AID
purposes of Russia in 8Ianchuria, Mon
goIIa, and Korea are matters of indiffer-
ence to the Kalser's Government. and it
can find and receive a satisfactory quid
pro quo for neutrality, we may expect
Russian aggressions pressed to the limit,
and France may add to the complications
by springing exorbitant demands for ter
ritory. But we are inclined TO think that
the evils Of such q var as might. and
even may, grow out of the situation in
China would appeal 70 the Kaiser in such
way as 10 render him unwilling 10
chance the outcome at any price If he
chooses to and can unite the allies other
than Russia and France in support Of =
policy OF common pressure upon the for
Tuer, war is unlikely because in such an
event the military advantage would be on
the side OF the coalition.
The whole subject Is involved in doubt
and mystery AT any moment a spark
may drop in the ammunition chest and
create 4 worldwide explosion. But until
the accident shall happen. if it is 10. the
resources Of skilled diplomacy VIII be IN
ceasingIy used to avert calamity whIci.
would be a dangerous blow 10 the cause
Of modern civilization.