The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-18
The war Cloud at Tientsin.

Difficult as it is to believe that SO small
q matter as the Anglo-Russian difference
at Tientsin should lead to an open rup
ture between the two Powers. there are
s.dications in connection with the matter
which ,.y rot look well Action as ag-
gressive as that taken Ds rns Cars Off
Ger. in driving tho British workmen away
from the siding they were building, could
hardly be accounted for except upon the
ground OF positive instructions from the
home Government
Taking this view. there is a suspicion
an some quarters that Russia is Inclined
70 have it out with Great Britain before
the latter can get her hands free in South
Africa, and that the Tientsin affair par
takes Of the nature Of premeditated exas-
peration. 1t is not easy TO accept such a
theory AS far as the world knows. the
Russian finances are not in condition
10 justify the cost Of a great war, and il
is probable that any war between leading
European States at the present time
would be a most ugly and serious affair.
Russia has scored a splendid diplomatic
victory ia her Aianchurian and Mongolian
plays. cleverIy using the United States as
catspaw. and confusing her adversaries
until the point for useful protest or dis
Cussion had been passed. II the practical
possession Of the northern belt OF China
is the Ultima Thule Of present Russian
ambition. there should be no talk of war
with Great Britain, since. like the Kaiser.
Lord Salisbury seems disposed to com
pound the Manchurlan injury in kind.
II must be conceded that this DISPOSE
ton is by no means guarantee Of peace.
hot wit
trouble II all parties in interest had acted
sincerely and had not resorted to secret
individual negotiations for territory with
China. IL is an open question whether. in
the-event OF a general partition, it would
be possible for Great Britain, Germany.
France. and Japan to come to anamicabIe
and satisfactory agreement as to the di-
vision. Japan especially may encounter
vigorous resistance from Russia in her
desire to establish a japanese protector
ate over Korea, and we are not sure that
Germany and Great Britain might not
have difficulty In adjusting their several
interests in the Tantze Valley.
While all these complications are I'm
the wind, it is noticeable that we do not
hear q word from China or Europe about
the open door Since Nr. Gage declared
j
transatlantic friends have become con-
WINGED that the United States should no
longer be encouraged in cynically de-
mauding the open door for Itself, while
maintaining a Chinese wall OF prohibitive
tariffs against all other nations II would
he violent stretch OF Imagination TO
conceive that an extreme Mckinley pro-
tectionist like n. de WHITE, the construc-
tive genius Of the St Petersburg Gov
eminent. should consent 20 making the
port OF Nieu-Chwang, In which we are
principally interested. a free port NJ de
Nitte is the kind Of man who wants ports
lor the service they may do in holding Up
foreign and promoting Russian produc-
lions and commerce. Germany is no more
likely 10 waive trade advantages in our
favor In her Agiatic possessions. In brief.
The United States does not appear to be
S. situation TO get anything out Of the
Chinese muddle, unless it be a little port
and some acres OF hinlerland, of perhaps
very questionable value or benefit II We
refuse that. the chances are that we shall
be invited to 90 about our business our
position in China at this juncture cannot
Doe considered either promising or Of
nature to be regarded with patriotic
pride.