The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-02-20
The Anslo.Japanese Alliance Will
Open Eastern Markets.
PRESERVES CHINA INTR6T
European Combinations are Weakened and
England is Free for Action in Persia
Pact of Interest to America.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 13-'

most important event in this
generation of politics in the east
ern hemisphere. Its principal
effect will be an ugly rent in the
slowly expanding web of Russian
diplomacy designed to entangle
not only northern China but also
central Asia down to the Persian
gulf.
Most of the London experts on
the far east declare that the COM
pact absolutely guarantees east
ern Asia against disturbing eff
forts to fracture the status quo
and consequently opens freely to
all nations the greatest industri-
al and commercial potentialities
in the world.
The United States. IN the hight
of the Asiatic policy defined by
Secretary Hay in July, 1900, is
regarded as the moral ally of the
Anglo japanese high contracting
parties. Therefore it is argued
that Russia, so vastly overmatch-
ed in the western Pacific. must
forego its am bition to convert
large areas of that region INTO a
Muscoyite monopoly.
This action of the cabinets of
London and Tokyo, it Is pointed
out, consummates in effect the
moral triple alliance Lord
Charles Beresford recently
strove TO bring about between
Great Britain. Japan and the
United States for the regulation
OF industry and commerce in the
far east and Tor the maintenance
of Chinese administrative and
territorial integrity.
The Salisbury cabinet was &C.
tuated 70 attempt its novel ex-
pertinent in the way of a treaty
with a yellow race" by numer-
Gus ominous moves that have
been made during the last few
months on the European diplo-
matte chessboard. 10 the first
place, the British cabinet knew
very we'll Rus Sia'S intentions IN
China and central Asia, and in the
second place re allied that ST.
Petersburg was flirting with
Vienna and Berlin and Paris with
Rome in a manner calculated to
justify British dlsquiet.
The treaty furnishes at least
the wholesome news that Great
Britain and Japan are determin-
ed not to permit Russia to en-
croach further territorial in Chi
ma AT last British supineness
is at an end. 1t was only recent
ly that China mustered up cour-
age to refuse Russia's demands
concerning Mongolia. China
was encouraged in the refusal by
Great Britain, Japan, and the
United States. In the present
frame of mind of her rulers, how
ever, China requires something
more substantial than sympa-
thetic advice to induce her virtu-
ally to defy her powerful neigh
Dor.
Moreover, there is not the
slightest doubt that it was Rus
sia's intention to persist in her
designs, despite the setback OF
China's first refusal. 1t is not
an unreasonable inference, there.
fore, that China's rulers insisted
upon being backed up IN their
resistance of the Russiandemands
by an open declaration from hel
supporters. 1t was out of the
question that the United States
should join an alliance for the
protection of the integrity Of
China. but American sympathy
with that object has been openly
declared, and this counted fol
much.
Russla's plans. of course, have
not been disclosed. How fal
they will be affected by the trea
ty the future only can develop
The first impression in Europe
seems to be that the Cars gov
eminent has been checkmated
but this may prove a premature
conclusion.
1t must be remembered tina
nothing short of great crisi:
would lead Great Britain tt