The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 11, March 17, 1898 | Page 9

London Truth, has some very good ideas to offer; he says: "What, in the name of goodness, have we got to quarrel about in China? Russia is striving to get an access to the Pacific which will not be ice-bound in winter. It is a reasonable desire, and will not hurt us. Russia is not our commercial rival, and is not likely to be. Germany has obtained a pied-à-terre (foothold) in China. On the part of a great commercial power this, also, is not unreasonable. It may not suit us, but it is considerably less than we have got, and we have no right to object. Considering the position which we have so long occupied, and still occupy, in China, this snarling and blustering at the first appearance of a stranger on the scene is more offensive and contemptible than the conduct of the dog in the manger."
Commenting on what Sir Michael Hicks-Beach said in reference to keeping treaty ports open in case of war, Labouchere says: "Having heard a cock crow on a neighboring dunghill, he thought it necessary that the majestic voice of Britain should be heard also."
It was reported in our last number that England and Germany have agreed to combine and lend China the $80,000,000 which she is to pay to Japan.
It is not known whether Japan will release her hold on Wei-Hai-Wei even if she gets this money.
England, in consideration of this loan, would certainly expect favors from China as regards the Yangtse-kiang Valley, and Germany would undoubtedly expect to have no more trouble with China because of her seizure of Kiao-Chou. Many other concessions will undoubtedly be demanded, and we may be sure that Russia will have something to say.
It is also reported that the Government at Pekin will try and settle its difficulties by allotting "spheres of influence" to the great powers. This was done in West Africa, where it is causing much trouble between France and England. The Chinese evidently do not realize how elastic these "spheres" are.
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It is to be wondered whether or not Emperor Kuang Hsu, of China, realizes the danger that threatens his kingdom. He is known as the Son of Heaven and Brother of the Sun. These titles would seem to indicate that he is a person of great character and capable of ruling the Empire. The truth is, he is a very weak young man, and the country is really ruled by the Empress Dowager. She is sixty-three years old, and for many years has controlled every action of the Emperor. She has supervised his education, selected his wives, and really held the Emperor squarely under her thumb.
The Emperor is securely hidden away behind the thick walls of his palace, and his private quarters are known as the Purple Forbidden City. Very few people have set eyes upon the monarch; and among Europeans and Americans, only ambassadors are permitted to see him.
He is said to have a very ugly temper, and to do foolish things when he cannot have his own way. This must happen very often, for the Empress Dowager sees that his way is made hers.
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Russia has followed Germany's example, and demanded from China a lease of Port Arthur and Talien-Wan, granting to her all sovereign rights over these ports for the same period and on the same conditions as in the case of Germany at Kiao-Chou Bay.
At first, China was disposed to refuse this demand; but Russia threatened to move troops into Manchuria if the demand was not acceded to, and China, making a virtue of necessity, yielded.
This lease gives to Russia what she has so long wanted--that is, a port on the Asiatic coast which is not frozen up in winter. She now has her "sphere of influence" located in a way most satisfactory to herself.
If China leases many more ports to the great powers she may secure the materials for a "concert of powers" which will prove as useful to her as it has been to the Sultan of Turkey.
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It is reported that there are 10,000 men on the trail between Skaguay and Dyea in Alaska.
The rush is now at its height, for now that the warmer weather is coming, the perils of the Klondike will be fewer for some months.
Some very thrilling tales have reached us from the Pacific coast, although the newspapers are very reticent about publishing reports of accidents. It would seem that some agency is suppressing accounts of ill-starred ventures. Certainly, the papers hold out the golden possibilities of the trip, while the dangers and privations are kept well in the background.
Thousands of men are setting out for the gold country to-day. Every small town and village of the United States has its quota of Argonauts,