The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-19
WE HAVE NO KICK COMING.

All this talk about the powers, inelud-
ing the United States Directing to the
proposed treaty between Russia and
China regarding a suzerainty over Man
ehuria is all moonshine. A majority of
the powers are in no position to object
to Russian control of that province,
unless it be Japan and that doughty lit
tie nation is rather late with protest
1t has become an established tenet OF
International law, that nation can take
whatever measures are necessary to pro-
tect itself, its interests or the interests of
civilization, even to the occupation and
control of foreign territory
This is our position in regard to Gu a.
1t is the position of Japan in-regard to
Corea. 1t has been the position of Eng
land for century. That principle is be-
ing fought over in South Africa today,
and no nation raises a voice in protest
against the forcible annexation of the
Boer republics.
1t is rather late in the day for the
powers to hold UP their hands in horror
at what they are pleased to view as
Muscovite perfidy in attempting to divest
China of her northern province. Five
years ago when Russia seized Port
Arthur under tie cloak of lease and
began the practical occupation of Man
ehuria, the protests of the virtuous ma
tons of Euope were feeble. England
was satisfied with the occupation of Wei
Hal Wei ap-1 the conscience of Germany.
few years later, was salved by the oc-
cupation C Kaio Chu and surrounding
territory. Japan acquiesced in the ar
rengement when assured that sooner or
later the peninsula of Corea which was
denied her at the close of the Chino
japanese war would fall to her lot. This
occupation of Manchuria by Russia is
not new. Neither is it an example of
territorial aggression 1t is through
Manchuria that Russia's great trans
continental railroad extends To reach
Port Arthur and good harbor this ter
ritory must be traversed. The actual
control Of Manchuria is as essential to
Russian commercial development as is
the control of California and Washing
ton to the United States The Russian
government is more vitality interested in
a stable government in Manchuria than
is the United States in stable govern
ment in Cuba, or than England is in a
liberal government in South Africa. So
far as anything IS known Russia has
sought by treaty only to secure adequate
guarantees of peace in a section of
China where her interests outweigh those
of the other powers combined.
Japan would have right to object to
Russian occupation of Manchuria unless
she We're given suzerainty over Corea.
Japan and Corea have their eounterparts
IN the United States and Cuba.
The report that Secretary Hay will adj
dress note to Russia, demanding to
know her purpose in Manchuria, can not
be credited. Diplomatic action can not
be taken until such time as the contents
Of the supposed secret treaty between
Russia and Japan regarding Manchurfa
are known 1t maybe seen thenthat Rus
STA has kept within the terms of the open
door agreement and that other compact
to maintain the integrity of China.
There exists no doubt that Lii Hung
Chang is working this Manehuria occu-
patton string for all that it is worth
If the aged diplomat can set the powers
by the ears, he may save China from
the ravages of the despoilers The jul
dicious thing for the United States to
do is to get out of the squabble; we have
troubles of our oNA,