Page:The International Socialist Review (1900-1918), Vol. 1, Issue 1.pdf/57

Rh prey is little Japan, grown bold and brave because of her recent admittance to the robber band. British India on the Southwest is watching British warships on the East for the signal that the time has come to spring. France and Italy at the South stand watching with Germany and Austria like vultures round a corpse the hyenas are devouring, hoping that in the confusion of the scramble some morsels may fall to them.

This was the situation a year ago. But now another has been added to the pack that is gathering for its unsavory feast. Just off the Southeastern coast of China there lies a group of islands known as the Philippines. Is it necessary to explain further how it "just happened" that when the Maine blew up in Havana harbor Admiral Dewey and the American fleet were in the only port on the entire globe where, when England should order them out, their "only hope" would be to take the Philippines.

The Morgans, the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers were already engaged in connection with a European syndicate in "civilizing" China but they needed "their government" near at hand to "protect the rights of private property" when the time should come to strike.

The question was now only of the time to move. Russia had thrown an iron band across a continent to fasten her hold at the North. She had secretly brought in large bodies of troops and was eager to strike. But America and England were busy on other plundering expeditions and could not leave at once. America finished first but was not willing that the feast should begin until England was ready. Russia grew impatient and showed signs of attacking the meal before the other guests arrived. Fortunately the United States recalled some old claims against Turkey and began to press them with a great excess of bluster. Russia took the hint and sat down and waited.

Then Pretoria fell and England was free to move. The time had come to strike.

Meanwhile internal affairs in China were working to the same end. Two parties had appeared. One of these was beginning to feel the influence of capitalism and had called itself the "reform" party. It was led by the young emperor and strengthened by foreign intrigue. Missionaries, railroads, telegraphs, and opium traders assisted in fomenting discord under pretense of introducing "civilization." Finally this led to open hostilities. The "Boxers" appeared. What would have happened had not this particular organization acted it is impossible to say. It might have taken a few weeks or months longer before some other means would have been found to excuse the entrance of foreign troops.

One phase of the result cannot be in doubt for one moment. The Chinese empire will be thrown open to capitalism. Just how much of a resistance they will be able to make no one can