Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-03-27
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THE PLIGHT Of GREAT BRITAIN.
Is the Former Leading Power Of the World
Descending From Her Position

Is the Former Leading Power Of the World
Descending From Her Position
While all the world has been watch
! ing for months the apparently ap-
preaching crisis in the destiny of
China, says a Washington dispatch, 1t
has not been so much occupied with
China as not to realize there may be a
crisis also approaching in the destiny
of the great British Empire.
England has so long been accustom-
ed to pushing to q successful result its
projects of aggression and conquest,
and the world so much accustomed to
expecting it, that general opinion at
home and abroad was that the last
move for territorial acquisition would
he. as matter Of course. a repetition
Of former experience. But the Beers
have not been conquered. Outside Of
fortified towns. they still hold most of
their lands, and not only have they
kept on the alert the vast military
forces opposed to them; but succeeded
il: pushing their operations into terri
tory which has long been British.
| A most embarrassing situation for
the British government Is the necessi-
ty of devising new and extraordinary
means for raising money If the war is
to go on. AS has been intimated the
government financial extremity is so
serious that it has even been suggested
to- depart from the time -honored free
trade policy, and levy heavy tariff du-
ties This would be desperate alter
native. and yet it seems to be conceded
that all other methods of taxation have
been measurably exhausted.
| The last British loan was placed to
quite a large amount in the United
States; but the American holders were
very much diSpleased when forced to
yield to q shave on the low rate of in
terest paid them. 1t is not probable
any new loan will find many takers in
this country, and not to any great de-
gree in other countries. 1t would be
staggering blow if the heretofore al
most invincible financial prestige Of
| England should be impaired.
But perhaps worst of all is the con-
tempt into which her military prowess
has fallen by the failure to crush out
the Beers. There is no doubt the gov
ernment of England will stand much
more from Russia than If the Beers
were not on it's hands. In plain words,
| il cannot afford to go to war under
| the present circumstances with any
formidable power; but it is not impos-
sible it may be goaded into such step.
Unless there is unmistakable evil
dence that the German Emperor will
stand by his uncle it cannot be ex-
pected Russia will abate any Of her
pretensions. more especially as the
French troops have pitched unceremO-
niously into the quarrel on the side Of
Russia. The bitterness Of French
animosity toward England has been
abundantly exemplified for years past
and, as is almost daily shown, 1t Is
constantly on the increase. 1t breaks
out in Paris almost at the mere sight
of an Englishman. and, as we are in
formed by the cables. the special am
baSSadur Of King Edward to announce
to the French government his acces-
sion to the throne was openly insulted
in the streets Of Paris. Backed by any
other power of influence, the French,
according to all the reports, could
scarely be restrained from trying con-
clusions with their ancient enemy.
The tremendous advantage which
Great Britain would enjoy in case of
war with any European power would
be her ability to make it in a large
sense naval war. At the same time
she would be subject to the danger OF
invasion. Some say that in case of
war, England might pass through in
tense throes Of distress; but that the
sturdy character of her people, her i'm
mense resources and her magnificent
soldiery would bring her out all right
i'm the end.
1t may be the threatening aspect of
affairs will pass away. 1t is thought
here that the German emperor holds the
key. and upon his dictum hangs the
possibility of Il terrible war or of an
alnicable or UStensibly amicable under
standing between the powers. But
that the situation in China is 50 tense
as to present the momentary contin-
gency of conflict, of which when once
started. no one can predict the end, is
generally appreciated.