The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-10
The Discrimination of Japan

Merely by abandoning the 2ianchuria
convention Russia has not succeeded in
satisfying the objections Of Japan.
which were only incidentally directed
to that agreement, the real point be-
ing what lay behind, namely. the actual
occupation OF the Province and its
practical Russianization. In other
words. the menace TO Japan's interests
and safety is quite as great With Rus
STA firmly fixed in Manchuria without
a treaty. as it would be had a treaty
been signed and ratified
As a leading European journal says
to-day. the close OF the Manchurian
convention incident while relieving the
situation for the moment. viii be fol
lowed later by serious complications.
It may hasten peace and a settlement
with China. since it is obviously the
Russian policy &c get the indemnity
question out Of the way and the allied
forces out Of the country Then China
VIII be without the armed backing of
any Power but Japan, and viii be called
upon 10 make such concessions as II
may please Russia 10 ask. In such cir
cumstances it IS impossible to conceive
how war between Russia and Japan
could be avoided.
The latter viii probably endeavor 10
have the question Of Russia's status
and rights IN Manchuria considered nv
the Council OF ENJOYS at Pekin. and
defined in the general treaty or treaties
OF peace covering the Chinese settle
mont This course would seem to be the
equitable and proper one 10 pursue. but
the conditions do not appear favorable
u its adoption. The enormous inden-
mites demanded by the Powers. now
stated at FIVE hundred million dollars
are fotorioUsly beyond Chiua's ability
To pay This fact would seem to 5Is
tify the theory that the Governments
insisting upon heavy punitive damages
do not expect satisfaction in money:
because they must know hat the cash
IS not to be lad, no matter how willing
the Chinese might be 10 raise such a
huge sum If they could. The natural
inference Is that these exactlng Pow
ers are looking forward 10 indemnity
In the form of territory. Soft words
and pTofuse promises are not likely to
blind the Foreign Offices in Berlin
Vienna, and London 10 the truth
that Russia has Manchuria and will
keep II, OF violate every precedent in
the history Of her struggle toward the
ice-free seas. Western Europe may be
not unwilling TO see Russia succeed in
Northern China, and thus secure an
outlet for commerce by way Of Nieu-
chwang. Port Arthur, and so on. In
the hope thar such an expansion would
give employment TO Russian energies
in that direction 10 an extent which
would relieve the pressure of move
mems on her part westward in Eu-
rope and southwark 10 the Persian
Gulf
This consideration aside, there is cyl
1erce that some of the allies at least
prefer the alternative of taking over
Chinese territory Is compensation
for RUssia's acquisition Of Northern
China. 20 that Of opposing it. on this
account We are unable 10 detect much
hope OF success ia Nj R0ckhiH's forth
coming effort 10 secure q reduction Of
the indemnity demands If, as may
Be suspected, they are advanced only
70 cover a concealed purpose to bring
about the partition Of China our Com |
missioner IS little likely 10 make much |
impression upon his colleagues. The /
chances are small that a INA jority Of /
me Governments they represent will /
consent 10 an act Of self-sacridce not /
oeeEeed polite under prevailing condi- |
lons; ar that they viii take any af-
0rmatiFe action In the interests of