The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 11, March 17, 1898 | Page 9

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from St. Louis and Dahomey, and gained a great deal of territory which
England believes she ought to control.
So that is the way the matter is at present. France has the possession of
countries for which England can show her treaties.
For the benefit of commerce, it would be well that victory should lie
with England, for she would open the country to the commerce of the
world, while France alone would benefit should she control this rich
land.

* * * * *
We told you two weeks ago of the change of Presidents in the Republic
of Venezuela.
The new President, Gen. Ignacio Andrade, starts his administration
with the prospect of serious trouble in his country.
The State Department at Washington was notified, shortly after General
Andrade's election, that a revolution had broken out at Valencia. This is
a town two hundred miles west of Caracas, and situated in the
mountains, which, starting here, extend down the whole western coast
of South America.
The cause of the revolution is not known, but it is supposed to be on
account of the succession of General Andrade.
* * * * *
The Chinese puzzle still remains unsolved.
Mr. Labouchere, the editor of London Truth, has some very good ideas
to offer; he says: "What, in the name of goodness, have we got to
quarrel about in China? Russia is striving to get an access to the Pacific
which will not be ice-bound in winter. It is a reasonable desire, and will
not hurt us. Russia is not our commercial rival, and is not likely to be.
Germany has obtained a pied-à-terre (foothold) in China. On the part
of a great commercial power this, also, is not unreasonable. It may not
suit us, but it is considerably less than we have got, and we have no
right to object. Considering the position which we have so long
occupied, and still occupy, in China, this snarling and blustering at the
first appearance of a stranger on the scene is more offensive and
contemptible than the conduct of the dog in the manger."
Commenting on what Sir Michael Hicks-Beach said in reference to
keeping treaty ports open in case of war, Labouchere says: "Having
heard a cock crow on a neighboring dunghill, he thought it necessary
that the majestic voice of Britain should be heard also."

It was reported in our last number that England and Germany have
agreed to combine and lend China the $80,000,000 which she is to pay
to Japan.
It is not known whether Japan will release her hold on Wei-Hai-Wei
even if she gets this money.
England, in consideration of this loan, would certainly expect favors
from China as regards the Yangtse-kiang Valley, and Germany would
undoubtedly expect to have no more trouble with China because of her
seizure of Kiao-Chou. Many other concessions will undoubtedly be
demanded, and we may be sure that Russia will have something to say.
It is also reported that the Government at Pekin will try and settle its
difficulties by allotting "spheres of influence" to the great powers. This
was done in West Africa, where it is causing much trouble between
France and England. The Chinese evidently do not realize how elastic
these "spheres" are.
* * * * *
It is to be wondered whether or not Emperor Kuang Hsu, of China,
realizes the danger that threatens his kingdom. He is known as the Son
of Heaven and Brother of the Sun. These titles would seem to indicate
that he is a person of great character and capable of ruling the Empire.
The truth is, he is a very weak young man, and the country is really
ruled by the Empress Dowager. She is sixty-three years old, and for
many years has controlled every action of the Emperor. She has
supervised his education, selected his wives, and really held the
Emperor squarely under her thumb.
The Emperor is securely hidden away behind the thick walls of his
palace, and his private quarters are known as the Purple Forbidden City.
Very few people have set eyes upon the monarch; and among
Europeans and Americans, only ambassadors are permitted to see him.
He is said to have a very ugly temper, and to do foolish things when he
cannot have his own way. This must happen very often, for the

Empress Dowager sees that his way is made hers.
* * * * *
Russia has followed Germany's example, and demanded from China a
lease of Port Arthur and Talien-Wan, granting to her all sovereign
rights over these ports for the same period and on the same conditions
as in the case of Germany at Kiao-Chou Bay.
At first, China was disposed to refuse this demand; but Russia
threatened to move troops into Manchuria
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