No further news has been received from Japan, but three
doubtful points have become clear. The Japanese are only to retire gradually from Port Arthur and Wei-hai-wei; the French have pledged themselves to provide the money necessary for the Chinese indemnity; and the Russians are entirely discontented. Their Press declares that the Siberian Railway cannot be made successful unless they obtain the Protectorate of Corea, and threaten, if Japan resists, to consider her "unfriendly." The statement as to the railway is correct, though it is no justification for war ; and it is evident that Russia and Japan are, and must
remain, opponents. That will mean war in the end ; but we should not be surprised to see Russia try to persuade Spain to sell the Philippines to Japan. That prize would be more valuable to the Japanese than even Corea, and Russia might then, partly by menace and partly by agreement, acquire her road to Port Lazareff. Spain, however, dislikes sales of territory, and the Japanese will certainly not surrender Corea merely on demand. The suggestion of a contemporary that Russia might buy the Philippines for herself, is not well con- sidered. Russia wants a port in communication by land with the centres of her power, not stations which could be rein- forced only by sea.
Previous page
