The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-18
Bett Ell Understanding
Concerning China Now
in Sight.
WAY is PAVED BY
HAL.DANE'S VISIT
Foundation for Negotiations Laid
by Secretary of State Knox's
Response to Germany-Eng-
land Shows More Activity
Than Indicated by Glad
Hand" Policy,

11dIlu FOllCy.
Especial Gable to The Times Dispatch.)
London. February LIE the irrita-
ton between Great Britain and Ger
many should disappear as the result of
the negotiations which are following
the recent visit of Niscount Haldanc,
the British Minister of War, TO Berlin,
such an outcome is likely to pave the
way TO the establishment of a better
understanding between All the powers
concerning China. There is a prospect
that the views of the United States as
expressed by Secretary of State Knox
in his note to the German Ambassador
will be given more respectful attention
than there was reason to expect week
or fortnight ago. when Germany and
America We're practically alone In adj
herence 10 the pledges Of 1909. which
were initiated by the late Secretary OF
state, John Hay, for the preservation
OF the territorial and administrative
integrity of the Chinese empire.
Turns to United Stntcs.
Russia had taken steps to obtain viz
tual control of Mongolia. England and
Japan showed Discrimination to in
terfere with the Russian grab, while
France was unwilling TO do anything
which was not In accord with the
views of Great Britain. Germany,
whose efforts to establish closer rela-
tons with Russia, seemed 10 make lit
tic impression in comparison with
Great Britain's complaccncy toward
Russian activity in Mongolia. and Per-
sia' then turned to the United States
She asked that country To support Il
project for the preservation of China
which would follow the course pursued
by John Hay In 1900, when the United
states. through a position which had
been strengthened by the knowledge
on the part of the powers that the
Washington government did not desire
to grab any portion of the Celestial en-
pire, initiated exchanges OF rourparlers,
which II Is generally Acknowledged
saved China from dismcmberment.
Secretary knox's response TO Ger.
many TT what seemed TO be the psycho :
Logical moment laid the foundation for
possible understanding between the
powers to adhere to the previous agree :
ment Had the response of the Amcri
can Secretary OF State come either
previously or later, it might have fnil--
ed.
The first favorable outcome of Mr..
knoX's course Is disclosed In the an
nouncemcnt by Russia that she has
decided to withdraw the notice that
government to exercise authority in
Mongolia This notice was Interpreted
as the first step in Russian anncxa-
ton of Mongolia. The news of the
change Is contained in the following
dispaich from ST. Petersburg.
Following Secretary Knox's note
respecting the integrity of China
comes the definite avowal by the Rus
Sian State Department that the Mt
In
ing between the Monaghan chiefs ana
the Chinese regime. The Russian
nationalists have taken this decision
OF the government badly a. Stolypin.
brother OF the late Premier, publishes
an article in which he maintains that
Russia's abdtcation in Mongolia means
that the revolutionary movement in
south China will press all elements
hostile TO the new order into the
North and they Will overflow into
Russian territory. and eventually
Asiatic Siberia Will be lost TO Russia :,
EnElnnd More Active.
The statement in the Kings speech
that the British government was en-
dcaVorinS to strnishtcn ont things in
fersia Is regarded as another indtca-
ton of the purpose OF Great Britain
to take Il more active part than former
~ In the preservation of the integrity
OF Asiatic countries which are threat
ened with loss of territory or their
independence. The attacks on Sir Ed
ward Grey's glad hand" policy. w-,ich
nave been led by newspapers which
are usually in accord with the minis
Try are apparently regarded as like
~ to become a serious menace to tho
conduct OF foreign affairs.
While no disclosure has been made
ms to why Sir Edward Grey was made
Knight OF the Garter the opIniop
is general that 1t was intended as a
notice to his critics that he has Tho
fun confidence OF the ministry How
ever. this action serves to emphasize
the fact that the government did not
disregard the attacks on Its foreign
policy and practically admitted that
they would affect popular opinion.
II have done with compliments.
said Bonar Law, the leader of the
Cnionsts IN the House of Commons.
during the debate on the address in
reply to the Kings speech. at the
opening OF Parliament on ednesday.
This furnishes the Keynote of the
character of the present session. which
Is expected to develop great bitterness.
Charges of cooperation on the part of
the government in using appointment
under the national Insurance law to
further the political ends OF the L!ber-
al party were holly resented by Prime
Minister Asquith. VINO challenged the
Unionists to sustain their allegations
with proof The Unionists hesitated
at first, but are now preparing to ac-
ccpt tho challenge. and bitter con-
troversy is promised.
Mr. Law, during his brief period OF
service as Unionist leader during the
last session, showed aggressive quail