BROKEN CHINA

The significance of the debate accompanying England's rejection of the Geneva Protocol for the outlawry of war is little realized on this side of the water. Mr. Austen Chamberlain's substitute proposal that England ally herself with France, Germany, and Italy for mutual protection of boundaries seems, on its face, a damming of the war stream at its source. For how should a great war start with these nations allied? But its ulterior significance is being widely discussed in England. It is attacked and defended as a counter alliance against the Russo-Japanese rapprochement which, though partially secret, is generally believed to provide for mutual support in the exploitation of China.

China has always been a fertile field for the sowing of "spheres of influence"; and since the almost complete apportionment of Africa, Asia assumes dangerous significance. Raw material must be had; and with the supply to severely limited, conflict is inevitable. As Africa was dominant among the powerful economic causes of the last war. China will be the prize in the next--if men permit another such confiagration. And who shall prevent the outbreak, with Russia and Japan pitted against the four great powers of Europe? America's ostensibly disinterested policy in the Far East would necessarily be given up in favor either of frank imperialism or of total abandonment of China. With strong economic interests already involved, withdrawal is far from probable. And staying in the game, whether to play a lone hand or to take sides, will mean an end to "splendid isolation", and draw America into the ultimate war.

Economic conflict is inevitable, and none but the keenest foresight can prevent the nations' resorting to arms. If England rejects organizations for peace in favor of organization for war, war she will have, and all the world with her; for adoption of Mr. Chamberlain's proposal, will mean the re-establishment of that notoriously delicate balance of power.