Omaha daily bee., 1901-03-22
WHEN LAND GpABBERs FALL OUT.

New York World There is a pretty stiff
guaranty Of peace between Great Britain
and Russia over the China grab in the hon
est confession Of the London Evening Star
1--WE are powerless because OF South
Africa. We may buster, but We cannot
fight"
Buffalo Express: That traditional war
which two ancient nations waged over an
old wooden bucket would compare very
well with the Anglo Russian embroglio over
a railroad siding. The European press
must have lost entirely its sense of humor
to take such an affair seriously.
indianapolis Journal The less talk of
war with Russia British newspapers make
the better for Great Britain. Great Britain
has not yet finished a little war that has
been exceedingly expensive. Besides, there
is no cause for war In China. War between
two civilized nations is not the way to
settle disputes in the twentieth century.
Baltimore News: Ominous grows from
the Russian Bear and angry snarlings from
the British Lion are the only Developments
In the Chinese situation. Should a squabble
over the partition OF the empire evolve Il
war between these powers. 1t would be q
fearful penalty to pay for the interference
of foreign nations in China--even though
that interference was primarily for the
rescue of endangered Christians.
Minneapolis Journal Not an iota of dc
pendence is to be placed upon Russian
pledges and Great Britain knows that, but
she is badly handicapped by the enormous
expense of the South African war and the
question OF taxables. Yet It must be remem :
bered that, after all, she is in better condi-
tion to do some big and protracted fight
ing than she was a century ago when
the ambition of the first Napoleon forced
her to fight all Europe and run up a debt
which has not yet been paid off
Baltimore Sun: when two such powerful,
persistent and conscenceess land grabbers
as Great Britain and Russia quarrel over
the possession OF property which belongs to
neither the worlds sympathy Is not likely
to be wasted on either OF the disputants.
There is an old and homely adage to the
effect that when thieves fall out honest
men get their dues" Unfortunately war
between the Lion and the Bear over Chinese
territory would furnish the other powers
with a pretext to land-grabbing on q large
scale, and the Chinese empire would prob
ably fall to pieces. 1t must be mortifyiug
to Englishmen, however, that they are i'm
potent to meet Russia's aggressive policy in
China. If they had not been so eager TO
make war upon the little Boer republics In
South Africa they might be able to assert
their right to a fair share OF the stealing
that is going on In China.
Boston Herald: 1t may be that move
ments are going on at Washington Of which
the public is not informed and that 1t is the
intention OF our State department and of
the president to make a protest against
the Russian control OF Manchuria. which
the government at st. Petersburg will con-
slider too serious to pass unheeded. Such a
course would be consistent with the policy
to which the administration two years ago
committed itself. 1t would be bold
affirmation. but then boldness is a quality
which is just now needed II check is to be
placed upon Russian aggression. On the
other hand. II we do not intend to stay in
the Asiatic game, then there Is no reason
why we should have drawn. and no reason
why we should continue to hold the Philip
pine cards. Their use might enable us to
play a winning hand. but If they are not
to be thus used then we should never have
drawn them,