CHINA AND RUSSIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5599, 4 February 1879, Page 7

CHINA AND RUSSIA.

Among the many memorable events of recent years, not the least striking is the reconquest of Kashgar, or Eastern Turkestan, by the Chinese. Much as it appeals to the imagination, the great work so fax accomplished has also a weighty practical side, to which statesmen will not Be indifferent. The question is, into which scale the great weight of China will be thrown. Will Russia see fit to satisfy Chinese demands in such a way as to make Pekin a neutral or an ally ? “ The difficulty, however, of an adjustment,” says a writer whom we have previously quoted “ would at first sight appear to be next to insurmountable i for, in the first place, China is claiming a surrender of territory in fulfilmeut of Russia's solemn pledge; in the second place, BuSsia not only desires to retain -Kuldja, but'she also desires to obtain from China a right of way to the North Western province of China Proper, and to obtain possession of the valley of the Yuldus up to Earaahar, for the sake of the superior cotton ■ which that district, as well as Turfan, yields ‘ln great abundance.” Moreover, the embarrassment at St Petersburg is increased by that very Afghan difficulty, which she has thought .it expedient to create. We can well believe that she will not draw down on herself at once the hostility of England and of China, - by sustaining the Ameer, at least openly, and by refusing to honour her bond. Thus the : military energy displayed by the Pekin Government has come to a head at a moment most opportune for Russia since i her wish to keep a cherished portion of Chinese territory, and to operate a diversion on the Cabul river are incompatible. Nor will matters be mended if, as seems not unlikely, she abandons Shere All; for that decision will not weigh with the Pekin Court, or turn it from its resolve. In such circumstances, England might well pursue the comae which would secure the good will of China. At the present moment the presence of European Powers upon her coasts is an immense advantage by which she has already profited. It is from them she has drawn the means of recovering her western dominions ; and it is by the farther development of those means that she can best confront an adversary wbo has eaten so deeply into her northern realms. We do not deny that all these questions are extremely complicated, and that they may involve consequences most difficult to foresee. Still, nothing ever was gained by refusing to face the facts; and what we have now to recognise is the singular recrudescence of Chinese power as an element in an Asiatic problem which has to be solved by the three nations who have the largest stakes in the East. If the stress of events should lead to the establishment of our relations with China on a firmer and more hearty basis, the gain will be great; and in the coming disputes, which all can now foresee, we shall have no reason to regret the efforts that may be required to bring the influence of China on to the side of England; since such a combination affords the best promise of future peace in the Oriental world. —Daily Telegraph.