The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-08-29
WASHINGTON LETTER

WASHINGTON LETTER
 Washington, Aug 29-The Interna- tional chess board of diplomacy now presents an interesting problem, which according to some observers of the Of relationship between England and the United States.
 The United States no longer enjoys the freedom of diplomatic isolation By plunging into far Eastern affairs Uncle Sam has rubbed elbows with the European powers and to a oer- tain extent will be obliged to take sides in the international game.
 The chief causes of this situation are the fear of the yellow peril in Europe and the participation of the United States in the affairs of the Orient on a more aggressive scale Other contributory causes are the fear Of Germany in England and the over present complications or European diplomacy which govern the attitude of the powers toward the far eastern question.
 Although the change is in process of evolution, it is regarded as almost certain by diplomatists who give their attention to the shifting of diplomatic
 
 States, Russia and Germany will be lined up against Great Britain and Japan. Other countries will enter into the international game but these will be the protagonists.
 The fear of the yellow peril,-the awakening of China to a sense of it's power and tremendous resources.-is the nightmare of Europe Next to this diplomatic spectre the sfear of Germany appears to be the underiy- ing motive of Great Britain's diplo- macy.
 The United States has not felt the same qualms about China Her treat ment of the great empire of the Orient has been characterized by spirit of agement. Her reception of Chinese dignataries has been conspicuously cordial. Her remission of the Boxer indemnity set an example of national humanitarianism difficult for other countries to follow. In addition the United States has been the prime mov- CT in the establishment of the princi- pies of the "open door, and terri torial integrity of China.
 All this, however, might have been overlooked by the European powers who were amazed that any country should encourage the awakening of the sleeping giant, had not Secretary Knox suddenly stunned the appre- hensive concert of nations by explod- the Manchurian railroads. This pro- posal brought all countries to the point of declaration. In other words, it was a diplomatic showdown"
 Put to the test England promptly threw the weight of her influence sacrifice of English trade in Man churia and China and the London foreign office has been assailed by a constant outpouring of criticism from Englishmen in the Orient.
 The whole action seems to mean that Great Britain is willing to sacrf- flee her chances in China to retain keep the yellow peril from wrestling India from her in the far future. Lat CT Great Britain again displayed her weakness by lowing to Russia which brought about the Russia-Japanese agreement. but in this transaction Japan's interests were chiefly at stake.
 So bitter has the feeling become that the statement has been freely made that the United States, standing for the integrity of China, will shame Great Britain into breaking away from Japan to preserve her own in terests in the Orient.
 
 Oriental entanglements. It is for her interests to keep the door open to her extensive trade and the fear of the yellow peril in the fatherland is by no means so fearsome a specter as in England. Germany has adopted large ly the attitude of the United States and. because of the hostility with England, is naturally on the other side of all questions of this kind. The prime reason, however, is that the United States and Germany are commercial countries and do not re- ly upon diplomatic alliances to fur ther their trade as do the other Flu ropean countries.
 Russia still wavers on the dividing line. The relations of Russia and the United States have always been on the friendliest basis. Russia wants American capital and American good will The present arrangement with Japan regarding Manchuria is regard ed as having been forced upon the Car by Japan's aggressiveness. Rus sia could not combat Japan's move for the subjugation of Manchuria in fact, if not in theory, so long as Ja- pan has the backing of Great Bri- tain.
 If the Japanese influence can be off set by the combination of Ger many and the United States, it is
 
 throw her fortunes in with those two countries.
 One feature of the work of digging the Panama Canal which has escaped general observation is the encoura ge- ment of religious institutions by the government. It has been the policy of the Commission from the beginning to encourage church work, because it is considered a strong influence in making for the stability of the work ing force. and the good order of the Canal villages. Land has been grant ed for church buildings and building material has been sold at cost to aid in establishing places of congregation for church people. In seven of the large communities two-stOry build ings have been erected, the lower floor for use as a church and the upper story for use as lodge hall. Services of a religious nature are also held in the Commission club houses under the auspices of the Y. M. O.. A. There are 39 churches or semi religious institutions within the Canal Zone. Of these 26 are owned by the I4