Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-03-28
WAR IN THE EAST7

IAt NEWS X puts mum INNS
cate the falfilment OF the general
prediction that the powers would end
the troubles there by lighting among
themselves. 1t is merely a case Of
wolves at a carcass. China is inert.
Her government, faulty though it was
at best, is now gone entirely. She can
offer no resistance to any conditions
that may be imposed
But the powers are jealous OF each
other. They fully appreciate the rich
prey that lies at their feet, and each
wishes that it and it alone were
complete master Of the situation, TO
reap the fruits at its command. Each
is as suspicious Of the other as it is
guilty Of longing itself China must
yield an indemnity for the injury done
by the Boxer outbreak. How this
shall be adjusted so as to satisfy all
parties concerned is the problem now
.puzzling the diplomats Each power
must feel, not only that it has received
enough, but that all the others have
not gotten more accordingly. And
certain of the powers-a majority
want the total sum limited to an
amount that is within the ability of
China to pay, rather than to require
the cession OF any of her territory to
any of the powers. which, they justly
fear, would be but the beginning of
the end for poor China.
This task was difficult enough itself,
but just at the critical moment comes
the announcement OF the recent
arrangement by secret treaty by which
Manchuria, one of the richest Chinese
provinces, is virtually coded to Russia,
and that, too, Immediately following
an agreement brought about between
all the powers that none of them would
take Chinese territory without the
consent OF the others. 1t is true that
Russia excuses her action under the
plea that the occupation is merely
temporary, but she gives no guarantees
rs TO the time of her withdrawal, and
the world very well knows that once
in she will never get out. So, on the
very moment least expected, Russia
has begun the disruption OF China.
To her, Manchuria is most valuable,
as it gives favorable ports
for the eastern terminus of her great
Frans-Siberian railway, now rapidly
nearing completion.
What China gets in return for this /
,ession is a puzzle. 1t may be
1ecuniary assistance and it may be
guaranty that Russia will protect her |
against the exactions of the other
powers. If, after stealthily securing a
indemnity herself, Russia
shall deny it to the others, she will I
nave trouble right Off The bare idea |
If secret treaty effected while united /
regulations were in progress, argues
| dishonesty of purpose on the part of
Russia. Why did she proceed in this
way, If she intended to be fair with all ? /
By her action, she has affronted every
lower in China She has broken the
and even now it exists only
Japan, particularly, is offended.
he has an old grievance against
russia. At the close of the Japanese
'hinese war, Russia stepped in and
heated the island empire out of the
ull fruits of her well-earned triumph.
.orea is another prize that both Japan
nd Russia have an eye on, and Japan
yell knows that if Russia gets into
che win have an easy time
n assimllatlpg the greater prize. SO
is not surprising that Japan has
ddressed the other powers, expfassing
er displeasure at Russias action, ana
skiing what it is proposed to do about
!. Great Britain and the United
tates have replied that they, too, are
but as they are situated it is
for them to do more than I
lake protest. Protests do not trouble
nc car.
Now it is not entirely certain that !
apan proposes to content herself with {
mere protest. She is critically /,
lvolved. Russia is a close, rude and t
neighbor to her, and sooner !
r later conflict between them is inev- '
able. 1t would seem to be favorable !
loment for Japan to strike. She has. i
he moral support of several leading
atoms. These would not permit
rance or any other nation inclined to
e favorable to the car to help him.
ussla IS coming on fast in the East,