The Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1911. RUSSIA AND CHINA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 64, 16 March 1911, Page 4

The Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1911. RUSSIA AND CHINA.

Ones again the Eastern sky is obscured by a dark cloud, not ye*, it may be, of very formidable extent, but sufficiently large and black to lead to fears of en approaching storm For some months past there has been a Russo^Chineso "difficulty," and latest, advires tend to show that the prospects of amicablo settlement are by no means so bright as might be vrished. Russia apparently desires to extend her sphere of influence in Western Mongolia, the neighboring Chinese province to the Russian possession of1 Eastern Turkestan, and proposes to appoint Russian Consulates in what is undoubtedly Chinese territory. With Russia,, a '•Consulate'" in any Asiatic town does not mean merely a centre for commercial negotiations, but practically the establishment of an area- within which Russian law and power alone' hold good. In other words, the Consulate is a Ru&sian settlement. In the past, China, has had only too bitter an experience of these "Consulates."' When Japan had, if not v actually beaten Russia, at least most seriously crippled her, China was able successfully to withstand Russian aggression in Mongolia. But now that Russia and Japan have come to an agreement as regards their policy 011 the Asiatic mainland the position has entirely changed. So far from China's being likely to obtain either moral or armed support from Tokio, the Japanese Government is much more inclined to harass and embarrass the Chi nest* in every way, both directly and indirectly, for Japanese interests are clashing severely with those or China in Manchuria, and any Russian n.ove on the western frontier of Mongolia must necessarily divide China's energies and indirectly weaken her' xopposition to the shameless game of "grab" which the unscrupulous Japanese are now playing in Manchuria, a territory which it is their evident intention eventually to absorb, just as, in defiance of solemn treaty obligations, they last year absorbed Korea. That the position is clearly understood by the Chinese is shown by >a somewhat remarkable article which recently appeared in the Chinese weekly paper which, is published in Sydney. The editor of that journal declares that the RussoJapanese agreement is held in the gravest apprehension by the people of China, who think that. Russia.and Japan have come to an understanding as to the best means of absorbing China. Japan's friendship towards China is no better ; than that of Russia. The selfish'aggressive policy which was so conspicuous in Russia before Japan defeated her is now even as much, if not more, pronounced in Japan. Therefore, instead of the protector Japan assumes the role of oppressor, and! in everj- way proves herself not an unworthy1 successor of Russia. Her policy in Korea, her actions in the Hainmintu-Fakumun railway question, her opposition, in conjunction with Russia, /to the neutralisation of the Manchu.rian' railway, and her recent interference in the Chin Chow railway scheme, are declared to be measures which will not inspire confidence as regards Japan's sincerity in the oft-repeated profession of the open-door.' It may yet prove that in entering upon this policy of treachery towardfetho country with which apparently shiv has the nearest racial connection, Japan is laying up a rich store of future trouble. China may npt .always be the weak Stato she is to-day.... Her weakness is the direct result of the vastness of her area, and the lack of connection and sympathy between the, various provincial governments and the supreme authority at Peking. Were once China to be & united nation, and possess a well-trained army, it would go hard with those who attempted to inflict injustice or injury upon her. And like all Orientals, tho Chinese are, while supremely patient, gifted with a singularly acute memory of wrongs suffered, and with a never-dying determination, sooner or later, to exact vengeanoi). Just now, owing to plague, famine, bad! government, and national weakness generally, China may not be able to withstand Russian aggression, especially when such aggression" k achieved with the silent support of Japan. But the day of reckoning is sure to come, and when it does the. Japanese will suffer an even greater humiliation than, so it seems, th» Chinese are doomed' to suffer at the hands of Russia. There is, too, a European,sad© to this RussoUhmese eriibrcglio which must not be overlooked, although we cannot to-day spare the space necessary to deal with It/^ n- y detail- Jt is Just possible tuat Ohma miay muster up enough courage to defy Russia, and although, m the lontr run, the European Power would _certainly accomplish her end, the diversion caused by another Asiatic war would necessarily weaken Kusru-a s position in Europe. With Russia once again involved in an Asiatic adventure, Germany and Austria would be enormously strengthened, and could practically db as they wished with regard to the Balkans and the Near East generally Y l-!* 3 way it may be seen that an Asiatic first cause might gyitje- easily have^Ayery*seripus effecf""'pon th^

general European position, and for this reason alone it is to be hoped that tho present dispute may speedily be arranged upon.as amicable a basis as possible.