The Topeka state journal., 1903-05-01
An Accomplished Fact.

A1lflHedpOlS tribune.
Russian annexation of Manchurla IS
only the formal consummatio tion of fact
long ago accomplished. 1t is rather
foolish to point out that Russia has been
protesting all the time that she would
never do what she was doing openly be-
fore the eyes of the world. Other ma
tions than Russia swear one thing while
they are doing another, and even 1ndi-
viduals have been known to do the same
thing.
The annexation of Manchuria began
when Russia, France and Germany
robbed Japan Of the fruits Of her war
with China. That was the first time TO
protest Only three nations were In
position to do so. OF these, Japan was
too weak. Great Britain had little stom-
ach for the possible fighting, and the
eastern policy of the United States was
traditiOnally peaceful. Since then, Japan
has grown stronger, but not in proper
tion to her foes; Great Britain has lost
what little stomach she had for fighting
white men in South Africa, and the ira
ditional policy of the United states has
not changed.
This attitude continued all through
the troubles in China, which came to
Russia as a glorious opportunity to do
in a year of war what would have taken
generation Of stealthy diplomacy.
While the other powers were rescuing
the minister's she terrOrized Mongolia
with massacres and filled Manchuria
with troops. When the foolish humbug
as Russian as Vladivostok, though Rus
sia was smoothly protesting that she
never would take an inch of territory
from China.
The other powers played the old role
of 1886 Germany and France supported
Russia secretly. waiting their own turn
to plunder China. Gallant little Japan
stood ready to fight, if she could find
bold ally. Great Britain shrank from
war on one side and from cOnfessing
willingness to share in the plunder on
the other. and waited feebly to see what
would happen. The United States dis
avoWed political interest or territorial
ambition; but upheld the integrity of
China on the ground of commercial in
terest, and insisted that any successor
to her sovereignty must assume the
responsibility of her commercial treaties.
Our position was as consistent on one
side as that of the predatory nations on
the other.
What is going to happen now? Moth
ing, We think but what has happened.
Russia is in possession The country
swarms with her troops. She has the
strongest naval force in those waters.
though Japan could probably beat her.
if left alone But the French and Ger.
mans together are even stronger than
Russia. and the French, at least would
help her in war Great Britain has
feet nearly as strong as the Russian,
and is bound by treaty to aid Japan. il
attacked But somehow nobody seems
to expect the British to fight. II thls
impression is right probably Japan will
content herself with looking out for the
reversion OF Korea, and the other
powers. including Great Britain, will
pick out the parts of China they mean
to take when the general scramble
comes.
We shall pursue our consistent policy
Of political nOn-interference and COM
mercial watchfulness. While the other
powers are preparing for the partition.
of China by picking out their shares, we
are preparing by trying to preserve our
rights Of trade with every part. We
have pledges of the open door from
Russia and all the other nations. Tfess
are worth exactly as much as our power
to enforce them by menaces or acts
Russia never kept a promise or observed
a treaty when she felt strong enough
to break it, and she is not very different
from other nations in this respect. But
she may concede something to our
strenztn.
It happens that we have more trade
in Manchuria than any other nation.
Russia has not meddled with this
so far. She is promising Mr.. Hay now
that, when the authority in Manchuria
is complete, she will give US the same
rights we have now from China, and
more. Probably we shall have to be
content with this promise, trusting
rather to our own powers than to Rus
sia's good win to make it good