The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-04
The BreaI. Up in China.

The Break Up in China.
Our allied friends in China are rap
idly breaking up housekeeping prepara-
tory to moving to their old homes
Count Won WaIdersee has left and, we
regret 10 say, is returning 70 Europe by
the Suez instead Of the American route
The ENJOYS at PeIdn are preparing to
secure commercial treaties, in which
each shall get a little advantage over
any other. after the good old manner of
diplomats, and the United States is
saving wood and saving nothing, be
cause Mr.. RockhiH means to come in at
the last moment with a convention
which shall contain the most-favored-
nation clause
In the course Of che negotiations,
which. 1t is understood. will be sepa-
rate. and not in common. there may he
friction between the civilized Powers in
interest It is TO be regretted that one
general international agreement could
not be had with China, fixing the terms
upon which all nations could trade with
the Empire on an equal basis. and
through an open door guaranteed by
the Concert Of Europe, America, and
Japan. The fact that such d thing IS
not proposed does not appear encouTag-
ing If each State IS to finesse to OBJ
tain special concessions and advan-
tages. the results are not likely to be
eminentIy satisfactory, at least to this
country. The absence Of q community
of interest and dealing in the premises
IS something for which we have rea-
son to be sorry
Just how much ground there may be
for the report that France is on the
point of Selling Hainan- we are unable
to say: but. If the story be true. the de
sign should be promptly arrested by all
of the Governments Of the world It
has been not only the understanding
but the beast OF the principal Powers
that they would not in any CiTcUm-
stances take over Chinese territory in
connection with the current settlement
Should France break this tacit engage
meut, the act would be one of bad
faith. and one that ought to be re
sented and opposed by her allies in
China But we are afraid that France
is only inclined to do prematurely what
some Of her neighbors are expecting to
do ultimately. 1t Is a pity that the
Russo-American cut and scuttle policy
has made US negligible in the council
Of the nations AS matters stand. We
have little more to do at the interna-
tfonaI table IN Pekin than to watch for
what crumbs may fan our way.
Russia in Manchuria-
The news from China is to the effect
that the Powers are rapidly Withdraw
ing the main portions Of their armies
from PeBin- Incidentally it is stated
that nothing has been decided with ref
erence TO the Russian evacuation Of
Manchuria, and that the ministers are
ignoring this question From this II
may reasonably be inferred that Russia
viii not evacuate that valuable prov
ince, and It is morally certain that she
viii not unless It be under Irresistible
pressure
4 short time ago Japan assumed
decidedly belIicose tone with reference
70 the signing Of the Manchurian Con
vention. and when the Chinese ENJOYS,
under the instructions OF the Emperor.
refused TO sign. it was hailed as a great
diplomatic triumph for Japan The
press and people of that country as
sumed the responsibility and claimed
the credit Of having blocked Russia
game IT that quarter
The exact pUrport Of the AIanchurian
Convention was never given To the pub
lie, and even the Governments of the
other great Powers seemed TO be very
much in the dark as TO its terms. The
protests against China's signing it were.
It appeared, based upon what it was
thought the convention might contain
rather than what Il was known that it
did contain. Russia. while asserting
that the convention did not concern
other countries in such manner as to
enutle them 10 q pr0feTt Of the instru-
inert, at the same time took occasion
70 declare that it was merely intended
to protect her in previously acquired
rights
However all this maybe. the opinion
was quite freely expressed ct the time
Of ChiHa's refusal to sign that the VIC
tory for Japan and the other Powers
Directing was a technical one at the
best, and that 1t would never be pro-
ductive Of substantial results Subse-
quent events seem to strengthen this
opinion. Russia still holds her grip on
the province, and there are TO signs Of
her letting go She is there in force.
and every passing cay makes her posi-
ton stronger Work on the TRANSIT
berian Railroad Is proceeding rapidly.
and soon the great northern Empire
VIII be impregnably entrenched.
Manchuria is OF very great value to
Russia, for, besides its wealth Of re-
sources, il wiz give her a practical
frontage on the Pacific, with constantly
open ports. while without it she viii be
confined to those on the Siberian coast.
which are icebound a large part Of the
year In addition to this, If Russia can
permanently hold this Chinese province.
her territories viii completely surround
Korea on the land side. This must be
very distastefu' to Japan. for, as is well
known, that country is ambitious to &C
quire the Hermit Kingdom. and Rus
sia's possession Of Aanchuria might be
serious hindrance in the way.
The Chinese situation in some Of It's
aspects is stall very much involved. and
II Is hard 10 forecast future develop
1T