BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.
The Situaton in China. (Spectator Summary.) London. March 16. There is no news from China except a statement that the International Anry intends to remain there through tho summer months, which is, we hope, un’ruo. Diplomat!® action seems to be circling round tbo question of Manchuria, the Powers asking Russia what she really intends, to which Russia will doubtless give most correct replies. She has no intention of annexing, but she must guard her railway, must prevent further ancuties. and must have a right of efficaciously advising Chinese officials. Annexation, quotha- she will no more annex to an we shall, one in Europe is prepared to fight Russia for Northern Asia, this sputter of angry negotiations will end only in an inercas al biv tern ess between Russian statesmen and the West. The Americans are actually withdrawing their troops from Pekin, and the Chinese Court remains tranquil at Sian, collecting regiment after regiment, but waiting quietly for more rifts within the lure. They should not altogether forget that every Power who withdraws from the Concert strengthens its power of action. If Germany and England were left alone in China it would be possible to supersede chatter by rapid decisions, some of which might be grave. Tho Unrest in Japan.
It is possible, of course, that Japan may act alone. A “distinguished Japanese diplomist,” who is clearly, at all events, a man of ability, has been interviewed by the Daily News, and has spoken, if not with authority, at least with freedom. He apprehends that public opinion in Japan, which is greatly excited, will overbear Marquis Ito, and will compel him to take sorious action. This action will not be a declaration of war, but a demand that the Korean Army shall be entrusted to Japanese officers. In other words, Japan would assume tho protectorate of Korea. If Kussia declared war to resist this proposal, well and good, and if not, Japan would have secured a dominance in Korea which to her is vital. The active party in Japan wish the war to occur at once because they think their fleet superior to tho Eussian, and believe that a great naval victory would terminate the war. The difficulty for them is the possible action of France,'but we do not think the ideas thus reported quite so dreamy as they will seem to most of our readers. The Japanese are convinced that they must fight sooner or later, and and their experience at Pekin has given them a certain contempt for Eussian troops.
Strength of the New Army.
By the above means Mr Brodricd calculates that he will add 126,500 men to flic fighting forces of the Empire without increasing the demand for recruits, and yet only add £2,000,000 a year to the cost of the Army. Of course that is done partly by lengthening the terms of service, partly by enlarging the Militia and Yeomanry Forces, and partly by raising more native regiments for Imperial service, and transferring coaling stations to the Navy. In fuiure our Army will consist of— Regulars 155,000 Reserve 00,000 Militia 150,000 Yeomanry 35,000 Volunteers 250,000 Totol 680,000 From this force, however, must be deducted recruits and sick and other noneffectives amounting to 120,000. The Austrian Peril.
The Times correspondent at Vienna forwards a remarkable speech made in the Austrian Parliament on March 12th by Dr Rramarz. This gentleman, a young Czech, while insisting that Gorman and Czech must agree, or Hungary must rule the Adrian Empire, contended that his little nationality, an outpost of the Slavs, helped to maintain the balance of power in Europe. If they were beaten Austria would be forced to enter the German Empire on the footing of Bavaria; and that Empire, thus ruling all Germans from Hamburg to Trieste, would bo the greatest power in Europe, and control the Balkans and Asia Minor. That is a broad view and a statesmanlike, especially as the Austrian Germans are half inclined to turn Protestant; but we do not see how Pan-German ambition is rendered less by Czech refusals'to allow Austrian business to go on. It is the success, not the failure of the Austrian Empire which will place a check upon the South German Empire desire to be ruied from Berlin instead of Vienna. Let the Hapsburg Dominion break up, and Germany becomes arbitress of the Enropean Continent.
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Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 4 May 1901, Page 4
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729BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS. Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 4 May 1901, Page 4
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