The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-04
The Latest Chinese Development.

The Latest Chinese Development
For the time being. the question of
the Nanchurian convention appears to
be settled China has informed the
Russian Government that she cannot
grant special concessions to a single
Power, when that course inevitably
would result in alternating all the other
Powers. So. at least fer a while. Rus
STA VIII not be de juTe in possession Of
AIanchuria. But this disappointment is
not likely to much depress the Gar
or Count Lamsdorf, or NJ de Witte
Russia is not the less in full possession
de facto. and that is quite sufficient for
the present
There Is a strong hint IN our Chinese
news budget today that Ii Hung
Changes abrupt departure from Pekin
for Shanghai was not caused by a de-
sire 10 secure a change Of climate; but
was the result Of his removal from Of
fee as Z peace pIenipotentiary. Ac-
COTding TO his colleague. Prince Ching.
Ii. alone among prominent Chi
namen, has advocated the Manchu-
Iian agreement. There is perhaps
good reason to suspect that the
secret negotiations with Russia are
chargeable almost entirely 10 his du-
pIicity, and that he used his pIenipo-
tertiary powers 10 commit the Chinese
Government to an arrangement Of
which IT was kept in ignorance until
convention disastrous 10 China had
been negotiated. when Tor the first time
it was notified to the Emperor, and he
was practically ordered to ratify it
This view Of the origin Of the
Manchurian trouble accords perfect
J. With our steadfast opinion from
the outset that Ii is a menda-
cious and treacherous old creature,
long and VIGOROUSLY in the pay
Of Russia, and that it has been a griev-
Gus mistake Tor this and other Govern
ments 10 place the slightest reliance
Ip0n him. On the surface Of things. he
gas been foiled for once by tke refusal
# the Court 20 endorse his wicked work
the Russian interest; but, as we have
-emarked above, this does not lift the
'ossack out Of the saddle in Northern
rhira by good deal
The latest development IN the sltua-
ton viii not necessarily serve TO di-
minish friction between Japan and
Russia. The former is sim beIIigerent.
and. having achieved a diplomatic sue
cess in securing the rejection Of the
Manchurian convention, will probably
next attempt 10 win recognition Of her
rights or claims in Korea. Japan be
Iieves that she is entitled To some sub
stantial and binding assurance that no
effort viii be made by Russia TO gain
control Of or to occupy any part OF
the Hermit Kingdom. Possibly such
pledge might be given. but we doubt it
II given. nobody believes that it would
be respected after the withdrawal OF
the allies from China. and the compile
ton of The Trans Siberian Railway.
japanese statesmen seem to be stead
fly marching to the conclusion that war
with Russia, now or in the near future,
IS something from which there Is no
honorable escape. This unpleasant
proposition being admitted. they appear
20 think that it would be best to start
IN now and have It over before their
enemy could be fully prepared and Sc
lect his own time for an armed settle
meHt.
How far the wishes, interests. or
fears Of England and Germany my II
1ect the japanese decision is a ouestioa