The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-04-06
WE ARE LUCKY.

We ought to consider ourselves hap
by. We can watch, as from a comfort
able private box all that is going on
in the arena of the worlds politics and
struggle, and we are not called upon
to take part in the dangerous game in
any way. Hawaii is as vestal virgin at
the Colosseum in the days of the Ro-
man Empire, without however having
the privilege Of turning her thumbs
down or up.
The rest of the world seems in a
terrible turmoil. Take Russia. The
seething mass Of the population is try
ing to express itself upon the subject
of political liberty. The arguments
used are rioting and destruction, with
an occasional murder on the part of
the people, and cavalry charges rifle
fire and the iron heel of militarism,
with a vista of imprisonment and exile
upon the part of the government.
The only thing that will now save the
Russian dynasty a dynasty nurtured in
the blood and misery of hundreds of
thousands people, is a foreign war. But
in these modern times war means mo-
ney, and Russia lacks that. Were she
allowed to develop Manchuria for the
benefit of the reigning family and the
-'tchin," the official class-which is more
greedy and has more sins to be count
ed up against it than the reigning fam
ily-she might be able to accumulate
wealth enough to plunge into a great
struggle 1t was the hope of accumulat-
ing wealth for a future struggle for SUI
premacy that undoubtedly inspired the
Car to make the disarmament PROPOSE
tions which led to- the peace conference
at the Hague. The substratum of the
proposition was not honost, and in ,.eal-
ing with Russian diplomacy the "Punica
Fides," the Punic faith, the ultimate
dishonesty must always be kept in
mind.
Affairs in China are complicated by
the attitude of Russia, but Russia VII
back down, and has indeed receded for
a time, from her full claims in the Man
churian. OF course it is only for a time.
AS soon as she feels she can make them
with impunity, she will put them forth
and enforce them. 1t is a curious fact
that the Russian who personally is the
soul of honor, should politically and
in dealing with foreign powers diploma
ticaily, be so terribly dishonest.
one OF the principal things which has
to be considered in China just now is
her ability to pay the indemnity bills
that are being prepared by the pow
ers, Of these the bill of the United
States amounts to $25, 000, 900. What the
bills of the other powers will be, re-
mains to be seen, but they will be con-
siderably larger than the modest
amount which we have claimed. To
pay these many indemnities the Chinese
Imperial government has a revenue of
SIS, 000, 600 per annum, when it is all col
lected and of this, 100000, which
comes from the customs, is already
mortgaged to pay former indemnities,
principal and interest. China has a
cheerful prospect. What China wants
is a good smart American financier as
Emperor. He would run the country,
pay off the debt and leave himself the
richest man in the Empire.
1t is all very we'll to look on, and it is
fortunate to occupy the position of out
slider as this Territory does, with no
fear Of encroachment, such as we had
some time ago, but it cannot be very
pleasant to live either in Russia or Chi
ma just now. 1t is 100 much like TAX
ing up a residence on the ever shifting
cliffs OF Halemaumaa.