THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1904. A CHECKMATE TO RUSSIA* A TRIPLE ALLIANCE IN THE FAR EAST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 55, 10 March 1904, Page 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1904. A CHECKMATE TO RUSSIA* A TRIPLE ALLIANCE IN THE FAR EAST.

WITH regard to the possible developments of the future a3 the outcome of the war between Russia and Japan a few details concerning the treaty between Japan, China and the United States, recently concluded, may prove of interest. A London correspondent, writing on 15th January last, says that ie appeared at first as if President Rooseveldt had rushed in where the European Great Powers had feared to tread. But, on the contrary, the President had manifested peculiar astuteness in catting a Gordian knot which the united acumen of all the othei Powers had failed to untie. • « • • The correspondent continues : — There are several points of marked significance in this important event. In the first place, tbe transaction was 1 effected against the most desperate opposition on the pare of Russia. For, secondly, by freeing jfrom Russian authority the two important Manchurian towns, Mukden and Antung, now under the military usurpation of Russia, China has virtually conceded noc only to Japan but also to America the " open door advantages which constituted one ol 1 the main things for which Japan is contending. And, thirdly, with American and Japanese consuls both officially installed in those places. Russia can no longer insist upon the " closed door " policy in Manchuria, upon which she relied as one of the main benefits derivable from her unwarranted occupation without the virtual certainty of having to fight not only Japan, bat also America. Fourthly, there is intense significance in the date upon which the Chinese treaties both with America and with Japan were signed. Although the fact of their signature and ratification was not disclosed until January 14, it turns out that they were signed and ratified on the Bth October last— the date on which the Russian evacuation of Manchuria was to have begun, but didn't ! There is a certain grim and cynical irony in the selectiou of that date* and there is little doubt that it hasjbeen a case of " diamoud cut diamond " between the astute and not over- scrupulous diplomatists of Russia and China. • # • • Inasmuch as Chinese methods of diplomacy are not unlike Rassian, the £un Li Yamen was perfectlyaware of the true v&luelessness of the Russian promise to ' evacuate Manchuria by the Bth October last. Accordingly, while preserving towards Russia an air of the most gentle complaisance and the sweetest ' reasonableness the Chinese Government, was contemplating a movQ peculiar to the " Heathen Chinee " of Bret Harta's poem " in the game he did not understand.'' A counterstroke was duly prepared for delivery in case Russia failed, as usual, to keep her promise with regard to the evacuation of Manchuria. The date (Bth Oct.) came ; Manchuria was not evacuated : and the treaty with America and Japan — the oew Triple Alliance — was consequently signed. The matter was kept studiously quiet while America and Japan were making the fnllest arrangements for utilising the concession. Accordingly consuls, consulates and cons alar staffs were secretly got ready to b,e established directly the supreme moment should 3.rri ye j and t jje moment the negotiations between Russia and Japan i reaphed. their critical turning point the whole transaction was made known to the world. It will be seen by today's cables that China has duly issued exequaturs to American Consuls, and a Consul. General, at the places named. • * • • It is satisfactory to learn that the announcement fell as a thunderbolt on diplomatic and journalistic circles at St. Petersburg, and that the news has been received with demonstrations of more or less impotent wrath, and acute chagrin and disappointment.. Of course the artful device is attributed to " perfidious Albion," and indications of the lasting nature of the rage, disappointment and chagrin are to be found in the wave of Anglophobia which, rising in Russia, is being kept moving on the rest of the Continent. One of the leading St. Petersburg papers goes so far as to declare that " thu opening of Mukden, Antung and Tatung to foreign trade in accordance with the terms of the Japanese and American commercial treaties with China without the consent of Russia amounts to an open provocation and defiance of that Power." Russia's great object all along in sticking to Manchuria regardless of all the obligations of good faith has been to retain its whpie trade in her own hands. i'Jow, through the skilful diplomacy of China, Japan, and America, Russia finds the whole thing practically given away over her head, so that instead of enjoying the advantage of being in possession and thus able to challenge objectors to come and turn, her out if they chose, she finds Japan and America prac ically in possession, with China at tbeir back, and a moral certainty . that these three opponents would be practically supported by Great Britain in case of need. • * •' The foregoing narrative and com- ' ments |were compiled before the actual outbreak of the Ruaso-Japa-nese war. Since then, as before hostilities commenced, it has been , abundantly clear to Russia that she cannot fight America and at the same time possibly take on Eagland too. Russia ia finding that Japan alone is too big a contract for her at the distance she is from her base. The situation for Russia, therefore, is so hopeless that one may readily surmise that the letter from the Czar to the King of England making provision for mediation to end the war jn t^e near future means more than a mere conjecture. 'Thus the whole situation ' in the Far East is now undergoing revision in the new light so suddenly and unexpectedly thrown upon its multifarious complications.

Herr Michael Balling who was the fii »!; principal of the Sehov lof Music, has been appointed Capellmeister at Carlsruhe succeeding Felix Mottl, one of the most celebrated 6f European coaduetoi's. Those who kneijr tf.ert \ Billing will remember tho high reputation h6 held in' Nelson, especially; aB a viola player. j Ap the Brightwater Court yesterday, ' befojrj Messrs Lightband and Hoult, J's.P., two prohibition orders were/ ifisued agjuppt • Frederick Cundy and Leonard Primmer, to hare effect in the jS'elson and Motueka Licensing Districts.

It is understood that the ChiefPostmaster has given instructions for the aitei alien, of the mail time table between Nelson and Riwaka, with the View to the immediate commencement of the daily coach serv.'.e between the two places. Tr-.:* successful contractors are Newman Brothers, the well-known coach proprietors, who have just had built a very fine new coach for the Nelson-Riwaka daily service. Mr Wilson (Balme & C 0.,) has spared no pains to make the new coach one of the best and most up-to-date in the district. It is very roomy and comfortable, and light [ but strong. It is handsomely up- , bolstered and painted coach-green. ' picked out with black and yellow. I The Royal arms and the definition ol the service on which the vehicle ! is employed are neatly inscribed 1 In gdld lettering. A feature of the I construction is the powerful brake, ; which enables the coach to be ■ drawn up within its own length on 1 a steep gradient. Several people [*■ have inspected the new vehicle, and experts generally admire it for its j all-round usefulness. i The Nelson Garrison Band (weather ) permitting) will give a promenade oon- . cert on _nnday afternoon next, in the Botanical Reserve, commencing at 2.30 o'olook. This will bo the first appearance of the band under tbe conductorship of - Bandmaster McMahon. Admission will [ be by ail rer coin. Three women known to the police as ' given to drink were caught carousing on 1 the Church Hill to-day. Two of them * were "run ia," but the third had the use . of her understandings and got away. On Saturday next, at 10 30 a.m., Messrs b J. F. Clark & Co. will sell 25 pairs fowls, \ furniture, bicycles, etc., without reserve. 7 They're married now, and prattlers round them throng, 1 As happy in thoir homo as Sum- , mor's day is long. Yet oft. in loving circle they toll f that little flock ... Tlow grateful still thov feel to good * old WILLIAM LOCK. 1 Mrs O'Rourke says/ "That's how it l ' should be, for Bill (I mean Mr Lock) furnished their home with ' nice. ' comfortable furniture on vory i easy terms, when thoy had scarcely • enough to buy a hen-roost. Lor' ' ', bless yer, my Mary Ann is grate--5 i ful to Lock she would never have - | had a home, for her intended's » i wages were vory small, but Bill ' fixed them up lor a few shillings ' a weev, and since they bought an . Atlas machine they do prosper." , Mr Lock has the' largest, best, and most up-to-date stock to select ' from, for cash or easy terms, at i lowest prices. Go to Lock's is a household word.— Advt.