New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-08

great powers would have virtually guar
autoed not only 10 the Chinese govern
ment but to all holders of Chinese gov
eminent bonds dhat is TO say. to the
foreign investors i'm the six-power loan),
the integrity Of the territory Of the re-
public.
President Yuan made a mistake in re-
jecting the loan. 10 has already cost
him one province and will probably cost
him two more. Moreover. English. Amer
Jean and German officials and merchants
writing from China. and returning from
the Far East. that is 10 say, men whose
extensive experience of China renders
their opinions OF weight and value. eN-
pres the conviction that China will be
forced eventually 20 have recourse % the
siX-uower Loan driven thereto by ire
sstible monetary stress. and that the
conditions imposed VIII be Of a more oner-
Gus character. The siX-pOwer loan IN that
event would naturally absorb the recent
Crisp-Jackson loan. contracted last sum
mer in defiance Of the wishes OF the
British government. and this is the out
look which Crisp and Jackson undoubt-
Gully had in view when they managed 10
raise with difficulty the first half OF the
sum which they had contracted 10 lend TO
the Chinese Republic.
Iu Southern Manchuria the japanese are
preparing Tor the annexation OF this
Chinese dependency very much in the
same manner as that adopted by Russia
in the case OF Mongolia. That is To say,
.ountry Is almost wholly in japanese
military occupation, the troops being
nominally there for the purpose Of pro-
tectiug Japanese life, property and trade
japanese commerce and industry have
quietly driven out the Chinese az every
point There is hardly any field OF ac>
uvity into which the Japanese have not
made their way at the expense Of the
Chinese. and the hordes OF japanese con
sular agents Of one kind or another are
so many administrators who, with the
soldiers at their command, practically
rule the land. with no regard whatsoever
for the Chinese Governors. revenue col
lectors and other officials. For the pres
ent American goods are imported into
Southern Manchuria under the terms OF
the relatively low tariff imposed by China.
But as soon as the Mikado proclaims
Southern Manchuria either as a japanese
dependency or as a vassal state under
Manchu prince, subject 10 japanese suze-
raiuty and protectorate. the Japanese pro-
hibitive tariff will come into force, with
sore results 10 American commerce.
That is what Russia has done with
Mongolia. After having effectively oc-
cupied the country in a military sense,
establishing a firm hold. commercial and
political upon all points Of vantage and
centres OF trade. ii caused the people 10
proclaim their independence OF China and
10 invite the suzerainty and the protection
of the Great White Gar.
This has been graciously granted to
them by Emperor Nicholas; the Muscovite
protectorate has been proclaimed over
Mongolia and the Chinese republic
warned that any attempt by the latter 70
interfere with Monaghan autonomy under
Russian protection would be regarded al
ST. Petersburg as n casus belli. Now
China has neither the force nor the CO.
heslon. nor. more especially the money.
needed to embark upon a war with
Russia. particularly in view of the fact
that the latter would probably be found
10 have the armed support Of japan.
Whether Russia has acted prudently in
securing possession Of Mongolia remains
10 be seen. There will be many who will
hold that she has been unwise in thus
furnishing Japan with a preteXt for the
seizure Of Southern Manchuria Not only
viii this cut OF Russia from all hope Of
realizing her dream OF ice free harbors
on the Pacific, but it will likewise sub
sttute a very aggressive and restlessly
ambitious neighbor. namely Japan, for
the extremely easygoing. quiescent and
on the whole, patient China. True there
have been some chickering's and even oc-
casionally some conflicts between China
and Russia since the latter crossed the
l-ral Mountains toward the end OF the
sixteenth century and colonized all
Northern Siberia TO the Pacific gradually
working her way southwark. But on the
whole, Russia and Cathay have got on
fairly well together. and neither Of the
two empires has found II necessary TO
maintain large armies on their respective
borders for purposes Of defence.
1t will be quite different with Japan
and by virtually giving the latter a title
10 Southern Manchuria Russia has en-
daneered still further the security OF her
great stronghold of Vladvostok, which
the japanese are bent on either capturing |
or destroying, justly regarding 1t as J
standing menace 10 their island empire. !
There seems TO he a general opinion that
Russia has been precipltate in her &C
oulsition OF Mongolia and that the Car
would have shown greater political sa-
gacity had he waited for the inevitable |
changes OF political and economic condi-
tions I'm the Far orient that are bound to |
result from the opening Of the Panama
Canal.
on the other hand. by BRINGING Mongo-
la under his sway Emperor Nicholas has
added to the military forces at ms dis