370 THE FAR EAST. 



Japan, consider that the contemplated possession of the 

 Liao-tung Peninsula by Japan will not only constitute 

 a constant menace to the capital of China, but will also 

 render the independence of Korea illusory, and thus 

 jeopardise the permanent peace of the Far East. 

 Accordingly, the Imperial Government, in a spirit of 

 cordial friendship for Japan, hereby counsel the Gov- 

 ernment of the Emperor of Japan to renounce the 

 definitive possession of the Liao-tung Peninsula." 



The result of this note, which practically amounted to 

 an ultimatum, could never be in doubt. Japan was at 

 the time in no position to defy three first-class Powers, 

 and since England stood aside in self-laudatory isola- 

 tion, nothing remained to be done but to obey. Her 

 endeavour to obtain a pledge from China that the terri- 

 tories she was evacuating should never be ceded to 

 another Power was unavailing, Russia professing an 

 injured resentment at such an imputation upon her 

 disinterestedness. 



It has been the practice with a certain section of 

 English politicians to extol the policy of masterly in- 

 activity of the Rosebery Cabinet upon this occasion. 

 Nevertheless there is no doubt whatsoever that therein 

 lay the first of a series of extraordinary blunders which 

 characterised British policy in China during the imme- 

 diately succeeding years. British interference could 

 only have been directed towards emphasising the demand 

 of Japanese statesmen for a guarantee that the Liao- 

 tunp- Peninsula should not be alienated in the future, a 

 pledge which would have rendered the subsequent pro- 

 ceedings of Russia indefensible. Moreover, whatever 

 paroxysms of delight our voluntary isolation may have 

 excited in the breasts of the Rosebery following, our 

 immediately resulting involuntary isolation in affairs 

 Chinese when the claims of the three protesting nations 



