The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-01-26
CARS TROOPS IN CHINA.
Enter Kashgar and Governor Appeals
to Pelcin Cor Their. Wifl,d

The London Morning Posts Shanghai
correspondent says the Chinese govern
ment complains that Russians have occu-
pied Kashgar, the governor of which
has appealed to the Chinese foreign
board TO open negotiations for the with
drawal of the Russians. kashgar is the
most western city in eastern Turkestan
and has n population of $4,000.
Evidences multiply that war between
any two great powers means trouble for
all the others. They may not be forced
to take part in it. but they are kept
guessing about their rights and duties.
and they must always bear in mind the
possibility that even the most peaceable
neutral may be dragged into hostilities.
Especially is the danger great when alli-
ances exist requiring one nation to come
to the aid of another under certain con-
ditions. Thus, since France must lend
her army and navy to the Car. in case
Russia goes to war with more than one
great power, not only is the republic
obliged to smooth away its own friction
with other nations. but it is also liable
to suffer from Russia's mistakes and
faults.
1t does not seem credible that Russia
should Intentionally try to embroil other
countries in her struggle with Japan;
but the theory that the Cars govern
ment hopes to draw China and France
into the war Is cabled from Toxic, and
it will receive some credence. Since the
effect of such action would be to bring
Great Britain to Japan's side, and since
Germany might find it hard to keep out
of the resulting turmoil. it may naturally
be supposed that the great powers are
somewhat nervously apprehensive over
Russia's latest move.
The occupation of Kashgar, in East
ern Turkestan, and the Mistchenko raid
throw new light on the circular an
nouncing Russia's determination to deal
with China as violator of neutrality.
The incident ut Kasbgar is especially
difficult of explanation; for, as matters
stand now, that city can be of no
strategic value whatever. Since Kash-
gar cannot be of any use to Russia in
the Manchurian campaign, it may have
been chosen for seizure expressly to en-
phasize the fact that the spoliation Of
China is intended. OF course, later and
fuller information may give different
" thiS slcp, Dut IL iAuoSia y
purpose should be to awaken the fears
Of the other western powers, the remote
ness of Kashgar from the scene of mill
tary operations would enhance the value
of the object lesson. All the powers
pledged to maintain the integrity of
China's territory would necessarily be
obliged to protest; and in the hurly-burly
Russia might save her face" by con-
senting to an international conference,
like the one held at Berlin in 1878.
There is, of course, the dangerous al
tentative that some of the western pow
ers might antagonize each other or
japan, and the theater of war might
thereby be enlarged. Already Japan is
reported as making strong objections to
the favors shown to Russia by France
in permitting Vice Admiral Rojestvensky
too free use of ports in Madagascar;
but it is probable that these difficulties
will not go to the point of seriously en-
broiling France with Japan. The most
imminent danger lies in Russia's atti-
tude toward China and toward the rest
of the world.