The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-09-26
RUSSIA'S ANNOYANCE.

Inc news or tne QaY would indicate
cooperation between Japan and Russia
for encroachment upon China. This
cooperation appears to be unmistak-
able from current events. Russia
and Japan fought fierce war, not for
the purpose of protecting China or
Korea, but chiefly because Japan was
determined not to be ignored by the
encroachments that were being made
by Russia in Asia. Japan was de-
termined to have her share in the
to get them; and now Russia is quite
willing to cooperate with Japan
against China and in encroachment
upon her territory
It was only few days ago that
Japan brought China to her knees on
account Of alleged outrages committed
upon Japanese in China. On demand,
China humbly agreed to comply with
all the things contained in Japan g
imperative demands. The question of
indemnity is yet to be settled, and il
is quite likely that Japan's demands
in this respect will be large and may
include land. There appears to be a
complete understanding between Rus
sia and China in the ceaseless fever
raging to absorb as much as possible
of China. Japan and Russia are now
so firmly lodged in the great Chinese
province Of Manchuria that it would
be idle TO talk about getting them out.
The pretended suzerainty of China iu
the province of Manchuria is q vain
shadow.
More recently Russia has in effect
completely detached the great province
of Mongolia from China Russia, under
the pretense Of establishing order IN
Mongolia, invaded tho province and
began to discuss with China what
should be done. Occasionally Russia
would recede from her aggressions, only
to renew them later on China. Of
course, is doing everything possible to
save to herself at least the Dretcnse
OF authority over Mongolia, and the
negotiations have dragged along until
Russia now pcremptorily breaks of all
negotiations with China with regard to
Mongolia, and states that she will act
without further regard to China s pro-
tests. China is accused by Russia Of
having resorted TO irritable tactics of
procrastIuation and subterfuge As
stated, 'lnstoad of meeting the ques-
tion fairly and squarely she has been
guilty of delay and circumJocution,
mauifest]y for the purpose Of postpon
ing a final settlement" The student
of international affairs certainly must
admire the stand of Russia in respect
to this matter The situation is about
like this: Russia finds Mongolia A
comparatively easy prey; China,
through holding Mongolia from time
immemorial, has no military force to
defend her title and jurisdiction over
the province. The people of the coun-
try consist largely OF wandering tribes,
and ii is for the most part thinly in.
babited. Russia gets into communca-
tiou with these TRIBES, and also with
the settled portion of the people, en-
couragcs them to throw Off their al.
legiance to China. and to come under
freedom and great trading advantages. |
This process, of course, means full !
jurisdiction by Russia later on. China |
protests against Russian aggression;
Russia demands 10 know on what |
grounds she protests. China asserts her |
ancient suzeraintY over Mongolia. her |
sway over that province for |
many centuries. Russia replies that the |
people Of Mongolia are no longer con
tent TO remain under China s sway, and |
demand the freedom to which they arc
entitled Think of Russia as a
champion Of the freedom and liberty of
the people of Mongolia China con
tiuues TO interpose objections to Rus.
sia S aggressioDs and the transfer of
the province 10 her influence. Russia
finally expresses her determination TO
her course in Mongolia, with
out reference 10 the desires of China.
And there we have the spoliation com
plete.
1t is a striking example Of the
peril that comes to a nation which is |
caught dcfenseless and impotent to as-
scrt the suzeraintY which is beyond all |
question rightly and judicially her own.
Still, since she cannot defend, an, |
other takes her place and there is
no power In the world, no combination
Of powers, interested enough to inter.
pose and stop that spolietion.