Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1903. THE STEADY ADVANCE OF RUSSIA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7500, 1 July 1903, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1903. THE STEADY ADVANCE OF RUSSIA.

Those who wero wont to be most sceptical about the Eussian policy of advance and absorption, aro probably convinced by this time that the opinion of the world on the subject has had a more tangible foundation than mere tradition. The steady, crafty, successful policy, pursued by Eussia in regard to Manchuria, has dissipated all doubts ; and tho story, when it comes to be told in tho history of the early years of the century, will form a most interesting chapter. While the new policy was developing itself in Siberia, transforming the wilderness into a garden, and laying down a railroad to connect Europe with the Pacific, peoplo generally regarded it as a stupendous undertaking of doubtful possibilities ; as a vague expansion, a wild effort to find a new outlet. Darkness and horror hung over the territory that, from Tobolsk to Saghalien, was understood to be a mysterious limbo for criminals and rebels; and imagination could not picture it as a home of industry. But these things are now but a memory. Siberia is fertile and productive ; and Eussia has her outlets, East as well as West. But her achievement in this respect is less wonderful than the consummate skill with which she has gained a permanent and dominating position in China. A century or two ago a Cossack chief, marauding in Central Asia, penetrated to the land now known as Siberia; and, as there was nobody to say him nay, he quietly annexed it, and laid it as an offering at the foot of the reigning Romanoff. Tho Czars Were well served in those days. And the interests of Holy Eussia are still served with equal fidelity in the twentieth century, by keen diplomatists and wise counsellors. When tho troubles in China took placo a year or two ago, whilo England was up to her neck in South African affairs, we had hardlytime to look into the Chinese question with the attentiveness it demanded. Beyond horror at tbe massacre of missionaries, and the despatching of forces to co-operate with the European powers interested, we paid little heed to what was going on. Not so Russia, however. Eussia let us alone, und was carefully complaisant towards us and careful not to alarm our susceptibilities by any encouragement of the Boers—because she had her own game to play I And play it sho did with characteristic skill and pertinacity. Under pretence of restoring order she marched armed forces into Manchuria, so rapidly yet so noiselessly, that nobody knew what was going on until one fino day lit was seen that Manchuria was a,huge Cossack garrison! And whilo our, Government was groping about, trying to find some responsible official t who might be hanged for the massacre of the missionaries, Russia was getting tho ear of the real chiefs of party in China, Today, the plot is revealed. Princo Ching is a convert to Russian designs! Nov?,,.with' her foroes occupying Manchuria, with her railway commanding the basin of the Amur, her warships at Port Arthur, and her Embassies at the Chinese Court, it seems to us that Eussia has made remarkably good use of her opportunities. In the further attempt to seduce Japan from the British alliance, she niay probably over-reach herself. But, apart from that, the Russian advanco has now assumed very formidable proportions.

The ratepayers of Masterton have to fae,. the music, this year, with increased rates. Thero wa», undoubtedly, some measure of extravagance antt of unnecessary expenditure last year; and this intensifies the present position. The Borough Council has never, in the past year?, kept its expenditure within its estimates I li it does so this year, it will establish a record'; and its finance? will become •'■' manageable." When this happy resuit is realised, it will be practicable to somewhat reduce the heavy taxes now being levied.

There is little new bloom in the speech .of His Excellency the Governor. It has all been brushed away prematurely by the disclosures made by the Premier during his recent tours. The only novelty in it is an appeal to " democratic principle." Wo were under the delusion that the great Liberal Party had dropped " democratic principle," in order to cherish •' Imperialism." We would like to know whether " democratic principle," nr " Imperialism," is to be the guiding star oi the party, Let it lake which it likes—but wo fail to see how it can run both, '