Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-14
TO MAINTAIN PEACE
OF THE ORIENT
Understanding Between Ameri-
ca, England and Japan.
LETTER FROM A DIPLOMAT
Its Statements of Rather Startling
Nature.
APPREHENSIvE OF GERMANY
Thought That the Kaiser is Seeking
Escape From Pledge to Chinese
Territorial Integrity.
Its Statements of Rather Startling
Nature.
APPREHENsIvE OF GERMANY

The situation In China which has been
claiming the attention of citizen and off,
cial alike for some weeks, on account of
its apparent Importance, has never before
shown a complexity of affairs as 1t does
today, when II bids fair to carry as 1t
were, the scalps of all the great powers,
which, In the last few years, have been
closely following. and. in measure, d.
recting its policies. 1t has often been ru-
mored that all advlces coming from there
of official and semi-official character have
been doctored to suit the reader. What
ever tidings which describe conditions ac-
curately, usually come from private sources
in the shape OF personal letters between
friends The following letter sent by a
diplomat in Peking to a prominent diplo-
mat at Washington, has been translated
verbatim, and its astounding contents may
find corroboration In the stray items which
appear. coming from authentic sources,
from time to time in the press
Reversal of Conditions.
China. today, is surrounded by mystery.
There is an ominous atmosphere surround
ing all the actions and words of those who
represent China, and to the representatives
of the nations in Peking, this silence is elo-
Quent. At recent informal meeting of
the diplomats, came to the conclusion
that China has turned the tables on US,
and that instead of the powers directing
her destiny, II is the empire which will
direct the destiny of the powers. 1t is a
sweeping statement 10 make, but recent
happenings in ....s city, as well as else
where In China, have proven this in the
ory, and ere long 1t will be proved to us
In practice. What developments have In
store for us is matter of conjecture; We
might be guessing for ten days as to the
answer and yet always De lar from the truth.
At all events something unexpected may
take place, and Il Is to guard against this
that an informal alliance between three
great nations is in course OF progress. AS
to this. later.
THE situation today reveals this: That
In the forthcoming struggle, If can call 1t
so, will find three distinct sides, each with
its own end in view-Japan, the United
States and England Germany and Russia;
China, by itself and for itself. or. possibly,
as an ally TO Germany and Russia This
news came as surprise to me- having
learned It from Prince -, one of the
Chinese dignitaries, who has been a great
friend of mine, and who volunteers infor-
nation of delicate character as a courtesy.
OF course, II is strictly confidential In so
far his name is concerned, which, in
order to obey the spirit of the letter, l can
not divulge even to you.
"An interesting bit of information was
that Japan has made and Is as yet making
great powers as she deems 1t wise. except
ing. of course, Russia. Germany, too, is
excluded, because Japan is unusually sus-
picious OF the warlike moves she is maxi
Ing and because Japanese secret service Of
3cials have unearthed plot at Algeciras
"a point so far away from the nest of trou-
BILE that ii seems absurdity to mention
Il In this connection, which has given
sause to Japan TO believe that that country
tGermany) is trying to avoid trouble by
looking for 1t.
Alleged Intentions of Germany
Germany is trying. as have been told,
TO look to Morocco for balm to its terri
torial aggrandizement wound, only as a
blind. Germany is. after all. very little In
terested in Morocco when we measure 1t
by her interest in China. 1t would natural
ly be asked. II that is the case. why is she
causing all these formalities Of the confer
ence to take place. But that is only a
strategic move. one worthy of the iron
chancellor. AS You know, the joint note
sent by the late John Hay (whom in truth
] believe to be the greatest diplomat OF the
nineteenth century, not excluding Bis
marck, whose policy was always question
able because of his underhand and treach-
erous methods) holds the powers to OBJ
serve China's integrity. True, changing
conditions there might prevent such an OBJ
servance now. and ii is just this that Ger
lany is looking fora loophole against the
Greatest barrier ever presented to the en-
pire But you will agree Germany cannot
find this loophole unless the other great
powers find II convenient. with a pretext or
not to have IT. For Germany to make one
and escape by II. in the face of the formal
opositiou against It, would be a breach of
diplomatic etiquette so serious that YOU
readily will understand what It would
mean.
On this account. Germany IS irving tc
soothe Its own anger by venting IL upon
Morocco n No 4. f,.S
only France, with possibly England That
would be much easier TO her-however hard
than to face the United States, who would
be primarily offended England Japan
France and Italy. The latter country Is
the only one which at the present writing
Is trying TO keep far in the background
as possible, but In view of probable trou-
bic In China, she could give substantial
neip 10 the others against Germany. The
European triple alliance Is no longer a
factor in International politics. as yo;l
know and Italy has no desire to be In fl
any longer II is only Germany that on
account OF both jealousy and self-interest.
is insisting on Italy's substantial help
Chinese troubles, i believe would be A cause
for permanent rupture between Germany
and Italy.
Relations of Germany and Russia
'Tn that which concerns Germany and
Russia, another problem appears, more and
more complex as we try TO study Il out
Russia has an army of 400.0o0. and more
men in her own territory, 1t is true but 50
near the Chinese frontier that 1t would be
Just as well as II they were actually on
Chinese territory. In spite OF the peace
treaty OF Portsmouth. should trouble arise
that formidable army could be moyed-and
prove. at least for the time being, factor
not easily ignored. That Is why the kaiser
and the czar have been secretly communi-
eating with each other here lately IL won
der II you know it?l They are planning a
strategy that Will prove valuable to both
respectively. The two countries make a
power not easily antagonized But, besides
this. there Is the fact that Germany and
Russia are mutually expending enormous
sums in China to diffuse nro- X .ssa- Ger