The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-04-06


shape the course Of events so that It
would be impossible for ;ha; country
to preserve its status as ali Independent
nation.
We assume tha; even those anxious
to daesye themselves are now con-
vinced that Russia means to hold Man
churia, and so firmly that the relation
OF the province TO her viii never be
misunderstood. For the time being the
cars diplomats may temporize and
cloud the issue, but In the near future
all uncertainties will BE- swept away,
and when maps are made ManchurIa
win be laid down on them as Russian
poss .ssion, This will happen II an at
tempt is made to embrace Mauchurla IN
any scheme Of taxation which the pow
ers may devise for China. Russia may
consent doubtless she viii be eager to
make a treaty with the United States
guaranteeing that the tarift regulations
now In for.e in he ,art Of china she
claims shall be continued, but she will
not permit the powers 10 extend 20 her
territory any system they may wish to
set up.
This refusal which is undoubtedly
looked for by the European powers, will
he made the pretext for a course Of ac-
tion Which some Of them at least had
long ago resolved upon, Perhaps Eng
land hoped for diferen; outcome. but
even that IS doubtful There has been
too much felicitation over the advan-
tages that would accrue to her from
making ;he Yaug-.se basin her sphere
III lphu'"-a 10 p 1T any one 20 So
r,ous.y believe that she would be q At.
v dlspieasad I matters ,i-ned out 50
that she might peacefully plant herself
in that region. As for Germany. II =
preposterous to assume that she has at
any time since the assassination Of her
minister entertained the idea Of as
sisting in helping China 10 avert the
fate that she brought upon herself.
Territorial acquisition has been the bot
tom desire Of German statesmen who
have dealt with the Chinese problem;
nothing has happened since Germany's
forcible occupation Of the Shantung pc
ninsula to change this line OF policy.
There are some who seem disposed to
credit Japan With sort Of information
al disinteras: edneSs which would take
the concrete form OF helping to build up
a powerful rival, but those who enter
tain this idea are entirely unmlndful Of
III. fact that very few years ago
she was ready to take big slice OF
her neighbOr. Japan is ready TO do so
now She might have been induced. had
Germany. England and the United
States backed her. to take a stand |
against Russia. out as neither Of the I
powers mentioned is willing to engage !
in an enterprise OF that kind. in all |
she will make the best Of |
the situation and take part in the grab.
The indications are that this country |
will BE- the only one that will refrain
from participation in the "cut-up." II
IS the prudent course 10 pursue. and in
the long run will prove the most prof
table. There is no reason, however.
why We should not look the situation
in the face and make the best
If it. We should not continue to fool
ourselves by adhering to the belief that
,hna's integrity will be preserved The
'ther more probable contingency should
BE- considered and lealt with. II dis
nemberment is to be the outcome, We
should negotiate treaties with the grab
ozrs md get the best terms We can
rom them, 50 that We shall not lose
he commercial benefits which we may
!erive from the changed status Of the
mpire