Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-01-26

Cutcr Kash ar and Governor Appeal

EItcr I:ash ar and Governor ipp-aia
to Peal. f,r Their Withdrawal.
Tn, Lon!cl Morning Posts Shanghai
correspondent says the Chinese govern
iI.ca! c)TipiliIS that Russians have occu-
pied EaShcIr. the governor Of which
has appealed IT, the Chinese foreign
board TO open negotiations for the with
drawal Of tie Russians. Kashgar is the
i:.ost western city il eastern TurkeStan
and has Il population of $1,000.
Evidences multiply that war between
any two great powers means trouble for
all the others. They may not be forced
to take part in il. but they are kept
guessing about their rights and duties
and they must always hear III mind the
possibility that even the most peaceable
neutral may be dragged into hostilities.
Especially is the danger great when ALI
ances exist requiring one nation to come
to the aid Cf another under certain CON
ditiOns. Thus, since France must lend
her army and navy to the Gar. in case
RUSSIA goes to war with more than one
great power, not only is the republic
obliged to smooth away It's own friction
with other nations. but it is also liable
to suffer from EusSiaS mistakes and
faults
1t does not seem credible that Russia
should Intentionally try to embroil other
countries iii her struggle with Japan:
but the theory that the Cars govern.
meat 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 he 70 bring
RIi-.,i inn eli nd C-i,,
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
Russians latest move.
The occupation of Kash@ar. III East
ern Turkestan. and the MiStchcuEo raid
throw new light on the circular an
nouncing Russia'S determination to deal
with China as Il violator Of neutrality.
The incident at Kashgar 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-
phaSiZC the fact that the SpOliati0n OF
China is intended. OF course. later and
fuller information may give Il different
appearance to this step: but if tussia's
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 ut Berlin in 1873.
There is, Of course. the dangerous al
tentative that some of the western pow
crS might antaGOnizc each other or
Japan. aud the theater of war might
thereby be enlarged Already Japan is
reported rs making strong objections to
the fav0rS shown to Russia by France
in permitting Vice Admiral Rojestvensky
Il too free use Of ports in Madagascar;
but it is probable that these difficulties
will not 90 TO the point Of seriously en-
broiling France with Japan. The most
imminent danger lies in RusSia's att.
tude toward China. and toward the rest
of the world.