Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-16
RUssIA's DoUBIE PLAY,

II there is any truth In the rumor that
Russia and Japan have formed an al
lance, Il may De presumed that the
two rivals In eastern Asia have come
10 the conclusion that It Is OF more ad-
vantage to them 10 agree on the spois
than to quarrel over them. 1t may be
taken to mean that Russia is 10 20 Oh
completing her absorption Of Man
ohuria, while Japan Is to assume con-
troll over Corea. RussIa's chief in
terests now are In Manchuria and she
can afford 10 withdraw her objections
to Japan's advances in The direction Of
the hermit kingdom. Japan's satlsfac-
tlon at the attitude Of Russia may
then be accounted for.
Russla's policy in the East is be-
coming more apparent. as II is viewed
in its entirety When the powers FIRST
went to China In order to exact, with
mailed fists. retribution for the out
RACES committed, Russia was among
the first to counsel moderation. and de.
clare In favor Of the preservation Of
the integrity Of the old empire. BY this
means she lnsinuated herself into the
good graces OF the Chinese rulers. Con.
Gdence thus obtained. she commenced
secret negotiations with China Tor con
cesslons that had no relation whatever
with the main oyertures for settle
ment Of the existing troubles
When the powers becarae aware Of
what was going on In the dark. they
protested to China, and the emperor, a.
nally in diplomatic manner. refused
to grant Russian demands. Then. 1t Is
said, Russian minister became so in
censed that he, with utter disregard for
the integrity Of the Mongollan empire,
ordered Chinese plenipotentary ylo-
lently elected from his presence, and
NJ. de Glers It is alleged, warned III
Hung Chang that Russia would sup
port a rigorous policy In the negotia-
tons for peace, Itmaybe In pursuance Of
this policy that the agreement with
Japan has been entered into. If so. fur
ther developments Of a startling ma
ture may be looked for In the orient.
Russia has all the time been playing
a double game-always with a Wow
Of securing the greatest advantages to
herself She has played the role OF re
conolllator In order to obtain conces-
sions Voluntarily She will assume
the role Of tyrant to obtain further
privileges by force 1t is evidently Ger
many's move now. II the Anglo Ger
man compact means anything, those
two powers cannot afford to wait much
longer before they define their position
aud decide upon a course OF action
The United States IL now the only
friend China has left This country
has shown itself sincere in its efforts
for the preservation OF Chinese integ-
rlty, because 1t Is believed that that
would, In the long run best serve the
interests Of civilization. But this
friendship is quite Platonic. The Unit
ed States is quite willing TO use all it's
diplomatic influence In favor OF China,
but can do no more than that 1t Is not
prepared to precpitate ragnaroek for
the sake Of a crumbllng throne and an
effete dynasty. Stll the United States
government can do the Chinese much
good. If they viii follow counsel. They
may lose parts OF the country at the
present time, but IL they from now on
Will open their portals to American
civilization, and let that permeate, as
far as practicable, every nook and cor
ner of what remains to them after
European greed shall have been salts
fed, that remaining part may still grow
in strength and Importance, as Japan
has done in comparatively few years,
and become power to be reckoned |
with In the council Of nations. China !
must be prepared TO lose much IN this
conflict, but II the loss Is made the |
turning point in the national life. It will |
be a gain. But China now needs wise
counsel, and she should turn TO this
country for advice and spiritual aid.