The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-21

We have II on both English and Rus
sian authority that there Is little. if any
danger of armed conflict between the
guards Of The TWO Powers at Tientsin-
Nevertheless re-euforcements are being
rushed forward on both sides and that
does not look like peace Il neither party
wanted trouble II Md seem natural TO
let matters remain in statu quo while an
amicable arrangement could be made
through diplomatic channels
Ugly as 1t appears. the azair at Tien-
tsin becomes almost unim90rUant when
compared with the much more serious
danger which threatens the peace Of the
world from another quarter The con-
ventfon of 1895. ii which Russia and ia
pan mutually promised uot 10 occupy or
disturb the territorial integrity Of Korea
mas been violated 10y the hrst-named ma
tIor. Russia has landed troops Al Ma
ampo. and Is constructing ouildt1gs jor
q permanent garrison Japan : sending
all her available war vessels 10 the scene.
and the Russian Asiatic feet is being
modified rapidly, and VIII be o. hand to
meet the japanese navy Of course II IS
possible that a collision may yet be avoid
ed. but the chances do not seem brilliant
Russia wants and is determined to have
Korea. firstly because that little Kingdom
would handsomely round out her Chinese
possessions, and, secondly because il is
the Russian policy To prevent Japan from
efTecting a Judgment upon the Asiatic
mainland Japan. on the other hand, IS
cramped for room while confined - her
Islands. and viii soon find 1t difficult to
Ippcrt her fast-growlng population
sYithout q chance to relieve the pressure
through territorial expansion. It IS q
case of practical necessity with the Jap
anese and, on that account. We think
them not al all unlikely To fight If moth
ing short Of war will serve TO protect
their interests.
When the fleets meet in the harbor Of
5Iasampo developments of q stirring sort
may be expected without loss Of time
Then 1t viii De- unavoidable for the Pow
ers to show their several hands Ger
rnany-s course viii most probably decide
subsequent events. In this connection it
is interesting 10 uot= that semi-offioiaI
press opinion In Berlin scouts the state
racnt made by Lord CrcnDourne in The
House of Commons. that the whole cues
ito. Of Chinese territory was covered BY
the AugIo-Gerrnan understanding All the
Perrin authorities coincide IN the declara-
tion thar Mauchuria was distinctly and
purposeIy excluded from The scope and
terms Of the agreement 1t would seem
nearly safe 10 assume from all the con-
current indications that. in the event Of
war between Russia and Japan. the Kali
ser viii maintain an attitude Of strict
neutrality. Should this prediction prove
correct, Great Britain would De powerless
TO interfere To NEEDLE with Russia in
present circumstances would be simply 10
invite an attack upon her Indian frontier
which would be not long in coming: and
the risk OF "a suDerposed war with France
would have to be considered.
The preoccupatIon OF Great Britain Is
Russia-s opportunity and she is making
the most OF it. II must be zan ami Bit
teraess for the British Government, but
lis leaders have themselves 20 thank fo-
the Gripping they have given the Empire,
through the laundering, humtltatias war
f. South Africa