Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-12-31
AMERICAS INTEREST IN ASIA.

AMERICAS INTEREST IN ASIA.
Both China and Europe recognize
| that the United States has vital in
terest in the situation. present and
prospective, in the Orient WI Ting
Fang. the ex-minister of China at
Washington wants this country to tell
the Empress An the perils which are
encompassing her people in the Russo
Japanese controversy, and to impress
on her the necessity of getting a pow
erful army and to employ ministers
who are well acquainted with the
worlds affairs. Japan's newspapers,
and also Russia's are giving much at
tention to the attitude which the Unit
ed States Will take If war comes be-
tween the two big rivals. They rec
ognize that American interests have
been largely increased by the ratifica
ton of the Chinese commercial treaty
by the senate at Washington few
days ago. This convention promises
the opening OF two ports to the United
States in Manchuria. As Russia has
possession of that province, and will
hold 1t unless she is driven out by
combination of powers, our dealings
hereafter regarding the opening of the
ports will have to do with Russia.
|. Germany. England, France and Eu-
rope in general look for war between
Russia and Japan Russia has been
moving war vessels to the Yellow sea
and the sea of Japan for many months
past, in anticipation of possible trou.
ole ON account OF the Korean issue.
There seems to be more Russian YES
sells than Japanese in Korean waters
1t this time. This fact is calculated
% have some influence on the aues
ion of peace or war. Nobody sup.
poses that Japan would have the
slightest chance with Russia in war
IN the mainland of Asia. 1t has been
assumed that in a naval highland
A conflict on the water would be the
irst collision wnicn would take place
between the rival nations-Japan
would have The advantage, at least
IN the beginning. This idea was bas-
ed on the opposition that Japan. be
ing nearer ner base, would be able to
-hrow larger fleets into Korean wa
teIo tuhH huSSld COulu muster IHeTe.
But Russia has been preparing for the
struggle for year past, or longer,
md has been busily reinforcing her
.ieets in the Orient. Her position on
he mainland in Manchuria has been
,treng gthened in the meantime, so that
It is practically impregnable, except
% the assault of coalition of which
It now does not apprehend. AT the
outset. at least, the war would be con
med 10 the Two nations. though there
$ possibility that England, and per
laps France, would be drawn in ul-
-imately.
Our own Panama issue gives us
connection with the Russo-Japanese
controversy, which doubtless is grasp
ID by the diplomats of the United
states and OF the world, even If it is
overlooked by the masses of the
american people. The canal. which
will Immediately and immensely in
,rease the facilities for American
rade with the Orient. gives us a new
Incentive Tor persistence in our at.
.empt to induce Russia, the real pos
SCISSOR oil Manchuria. to extend to us
the concessions guaranteed by China,
that PROVINCES nominal owner. AT the
same time, 1t may be assumed in the
worlds chancelleries that the Panama
ssue. with its menace of war with Co
ombia. ties our hands for the time
OF course. China's ex-minister to
Washington sees that we have a vital
concern in preserving our commercial
rights in the big empire. as promised
is by treaty. He himself takes a
| gloomy view OF the outlook for his
'ountry. In recent dispatches he was
| reported as saying that he saw no hope
Tor China, that the partition of the
| empire is Inevitable" In that case
not only would Russia get much OF 1t,
| but Germany. France and England
| would be sharers in the spoil Posi-
| oily. too Japan would have to be pla-
Gated by some of the territory, though
| Germany is reported as joining with
Russia in the determination to keep
| Japan off the mainland of Asia The
events OF the next few days will de-
| eide the question of peace or war for
Russia and Japan. and in these events
and In the war, II 1t comes. the United
States will be very interested specta-
\ tor-Globe Democrat
1