The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-12-28

rival Asiatic interests continue the rival
rles of Europe The Shantung promon-
tory, which commands the entrance to
the gulf on the south has the German
naval base Of Kiao-chau on its south
western shore. and the British station OF
Wei-hai-wei on its eastern extremity. A
The most southeTlv point of the LEO tup
+ peninsuli commanding the entrance OF
the gull on the north is the Russian
citadel Of Port Arthur. which forms the
terminus Of the east Chinese extension
OF the trans-Siberian railway.
This marks the most southerly limit, 50
far OF the Russian advance on the Pacific
shores of A STA. which began in 1858 when
the Anur province was coded BY China
to Alexander Ii. while the other gov
eYnmcnts OF Europe we're asleep. There
is an interval o. forty years between
the date Of this treaty. which secured
Russia access to the Pacific at Nladivos-
took ana the lease" which gave her
Port Arthur. which Japan had been
compelled to cvacuate In 1875 after ne
victory over China. II Is because Rus
sla was the power which compelled his
evacuation. taking from Japan me
fruits Of that victory only to secure them
later for herself that the feeling runs
so strongly against Russia in Japan
Russian Desires in Korea.
As the Korean strait is vitality i'm
portant part OF the line Of commuica-
ton between Vladivostock and Port Ar
thur. ard as the island of Tsushima-in
the middle Of the strait-belonrs to Japan
the Russian desire for a footing on the
mainland of Korea is. apart from all
other considerations. quite ineligible
In May. 1900 piece of land was
actually acquired in the harbor Of Ma
sampho, opposite Tsushma, which it
was announced was 10 be used for
coaIlng station by Russia. The acqui-
sition Of this territory constituted
breach OF the understanding given by
Russia in 686 never to occupy any
portion of The soil of Korea. This prom
,se was exacted after the occupation of
Port Hamilton by a British heet-an act
prompted. IN return, by the announced
intention OF Russia to occupy Port La
zare. on the eastern short Of Korea.
China was then the acknowledged suze-
rain of the Hermit kingdom. and from
her came the protest against the Brit
ish seizure Of n commanding position on
the A-oreau strait while TO her were
addressed the Russian assurances which
brought about the surrender of the pc
sition.
So much for the past. into this area
so fruitful of controversies old and new
and so clearly designated as the battle
ground for the future control of the Pa
cific the United States enters with the
peaceful rivalries OF trade Ninety per
cent Of all the exports of American cot
ton cloths 10 China finds a market in
the three treaty ports of Chefoo Tien-
tsin and Newchwang, situated on or
near the Gulf of Pechii. The FORT oe
Chinwantao. close to the seawasd en-
tremity of the great wall of China at
Shanhaikwan. IS the only other treaty
port within this area On the eastern
new Russian free port of Dalny. for
merry known az Taienwan, whose com
mercal promise seems to be blghted
almost as soon as it is opened TO trade.
Up to the Yalu.
In the northern blight Of the bay OF
Korea at the mouth of the Yalu river.
is the scene of the great naval conflict
of le94 between China and Japan, tn.
nrst conflict between modern navies
About twenty miles up the river is tn.
port of An-tung, one of the ports COW
cred in the new treaty. An-tung has
no immediate commercial, Importance,
but as it VIII form the future terminus
OF the Chinese railroads which converge
at the .>orean frontier and Join the ko-
rean railroad, still awaiting construc-
ton. but which will traverse the entire
length Of the country from WIFI to Fu-
san, the future OF the place has enor
nous possibilities.
Mukden. from which will start the
branch of the East Chinese communcat-
ing with Antung, Is the other treaty
port provided for in the American treaty
and is a place eminently suited to the
development of trade. The aftiuent of the
Riato river. on which Mukden is situated
ia navgable for boats of light craft,
which IS an important consideration for