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Below is a summary of the political events that happened in 1898 around the world, from the point of view of Britain. The summary was written at the end of the year 1898, when hopes were high looking into the new year and the new century. This this description is of special interest to us today, since we know what happened after these events.
The year just closed has been momentous and anxious. The nations have been sharking at each other: in one instance ¨C Spain and America ¨C there has been actual warfare; while not long ago it appeared as if very little absence of tact or the least impetuosity might have involved Britain in a struggle with France in the one hand with Russia on the other, with perhaps the two foreign Powers mentioned as allies.
Early in 1898 friction arose between England and Russia, chiefly, with Germany in a minor degree, and with France over the spheres of influence in China. Russia acquired Port Arthur, and it was felt that by that means she had secured that which she had long sought, a port south of Vladivostok, in waters free from ice in the winter, not only commanding the trade with Manchuria, but also a route by sea westward distant from the complications attending Russian naval movements in the Eastern Mediterranean. England would have taken Tal-ien-wan as a check to Russian aggression; but eventually she was content with Wai-hei-wai.
Meantime, the views of Germany became more in accord with those of England, and both Japan and American supported the British policy of an open trade door through the Chinese treaty ports leading into the vast and wealthy interior.
For all the early months of the year attention was turned to the Far East, and the strain was becoming difficult to bear, for it was felt among Europeans in China that the Chinese were beginning to fancy that Russia was triumphing in diplomacy and forcing England to lose her prestige. There seemed to be ample justification for this assumption, for the Court at Peking was being readjusted on lines which especially excluded from the regnant party ¨C that of the Empress Dowager ¨C all Chinese politicians and diplomatics who were Anglophiles. Thus Li-Hung-Chang was brought once more into power, the Tsung-li-Yamen, or Chief Council, was weeded of all reformers, the Emperor himself was practically deposed, and for a time there was every indication of a desire to flout and insult Britains. It is true that the anti-foreign agitation which is at the root of the Sze-chuan rebellion appears to be directed against all "barbarians" alike; but as a matter of fact in the treaty ports it is the Englishmen who have felt the loss of prestige more than any other white men.
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