The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-27
A SLAP In THE FACE OF GREAT
BRITAIN.

BRITAIN.
There is a consensus of opinion among
the powers and diplomatists generally that
Russia's latest demand on China means
that she intends to hold the great province
don it except on compulsion. All her acts
and her diplomatic fencing during the last
few years sustain this view. The question.
therefore. arises. what will other powers
do about it? The powers interested are
China, Japan. Great Britain and the United
States in the order named. China is, OF
course. primarily and chiefly interested be-
| cause the movement proposes dismember-
ment Of the Chinese empire and humilia-
| ton of the government. But China is abso-
lutely helpless-as helpless as a feeble child
would be in the hug Of a grizzly bear. She
| can do nothing but implore or protest, and
her entreaties and protests will be of no
avail. Next in order of interest is Japan.
For some years past she has watched Rus
sia's movements in Manchuria very closely,
and her statesmen have plainly intimated
| that she would regard the acquisition of
| the province by Russia as a cause OF war.
1t has been an open Secret that Japan was
| preparing for war, and that she expected
| Russia's aggressive policy would lead to
IL. Russia in Manchuria would threaten
| Korea, and in Korea she would threaten
when she took the first step towards
! Korea by appropriating Manchuria. japan
would meet her half way Japan would
hardly venture upon war with Russia un-
aided. but she has an ally. She would. of
course, have the assistance of China, but
that would not amount to much. She
would have more powerful ally in Great
Britain. On the l1th of February, 1902.
announcement was made of the conclusion
of an alliance between Japan and Great
| Britain. The announcement created a sem
sation throughout the world The main
object of the treaty was to maintain the
status quo and general peace in the ex-
treme East. and especially the independ-
ence and integrity Of the Chinese and
follows:
/. The high contracting parties, having
mutually recognized the independence OF
China and Korea, declare themselves to be
entirely uninfiuenced by any aggressive
VieW e" however e their especial interests Of
which those Of Great Britain relate princi-
pally to China. while Japan, in addition to
interested in a peculiar degree. politically
as well as commercially and indus
trially, in Korea, the signatories recog-
s sas that "a them will to es aaeh
ures as may be indispensable in order to
safeguard those interests, If these be
of any other power or by disturbances
arising In China or Korea necessitating
the intervention of either of the contracting
property of its subjects.
2. Ii either Great Britain or Japan, In
Of
a war with another power. the other con-
tracing party will maintain strict neutral
ity and use Its efforts to prevent other
powers from joining in the hostilities
against its ally
g. If in the above event, any other pow
eror powers should join In hostilties against
that ally the other contracting party will
come to it's assistance and will conduct wal
in common and make peace in mutual
agreement with It,
A London dispatch Of Feb IL, 1902. an
nouncing this treaty. said: 1T is regarded
as direct move against Russia" All OF
the London papers SO construed it. Wheth.
er or not 1t binds Great Britain to come
to the assistance of Japan In war with
Russia is for the parties to the treaty to
decide. 1t certainly seems to bear that
construction. and it speaks of the two
powers as allies.
The fourth party interested in the Rus
so-Manchurian question is the United
States, and its interest is least Of all. i
has no political interest in any phase OF
the Eastern question, no territorial inter
ests in China, no sphere of influence Il
protect, no interest in maintaining the in
tegrity of Korea and none in maintaining
the prestige of Japan. Its sole interest II
one of trade The United States is com
mitted to the open-door policy in China
and will make itself heard on that ques
ton. 1t will, Of course, notify both China
and Russia of their obligations to main
that interference with the freedom of trad
in Manchuria will be regarded by tn
United States as a breach of faith. Thel
: Russia will reply In diplomatic Language
that there is no intention of interferin,
with American trade and will give assur
ances that American interests will be per
fectly safe wherever Russian authorit,
extends. She will make Intelligent con
cessions" to the United States, and Their
the matter will end. The United State
has no treaty with Japan such as Grea
: Britain has, and is under sort of obliga
ton to espouse Japans quarrel with Rus
, STA, IL she gets into a quarrel. If ca
get an open door In Manchuria for al
nations we will do it, but that failing. w
| will get 1t for the United States.
When Russias demand for the cession o
I Manchuria was announced, British paper
Immediately declared 1t to be a slap in tn
face of the United States. 1t is much NOR
a slap In the face of Great Britain, whic
is not only as strongly committed to tn
= open-door policy as we are, but which ha
. a treaty with Japan that Russia ma
= fairly construe as aimed directly at hel
: Russia will make trade concessions to tn
United States, but she will not make an
l to Great Britain. II is TO be hoped tn
u United States will not be drawn into an
q entangling alliance with Great Britain an
Japan.
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a WILL THE SOUTH STAND BY