The rest of the world looked calmly on while
China, conscious of her inability to fight and her
total lack of friends, acquiesced in the monstrous
demand. No sooner had she done so when Russia
stepped in with requisitions for a lease of Port
Arthur and Talienwan, on similar terms to the
Kiaochau lease, as well as for permission to carry the
Transiberian Railway through Manchuria to these
ports.
There is a Japanese expression " fire-thieves,"
denoting those who take advantage of a conflagra-
tion to steal property from the burning houses.
China's house having been set on fire by Japan,
Germany and Russia (clearly at an understanding,
seeing the promptitude with which they acted as soon
as the occasion arose) had now very profitably taken
on the role of fire-thieves. Two others speedily
made their appearance. Great Britain and France,
who demanded and obtained leases of Weihaiwei
and Kwangchouwan. Thus, on no other pretext
than that of reparation for the murder of two Ger-



KWANGHSU THE REFORMER 167

man missionaries (without the slightest proof of
official complicity), China was bereft in a few months
of four great harbours — two in Shantung, one in
Manchuria, and one in Kwangtung. The significance
of the " triple intervention " was clear, and Great
Britain, though taking no part in that pact, had come
to share the proceeds.
Nothing could have demonstrated more cynically
the effect upon the Western world produced by
Japan's revelation of China's helplessness. To the
Great Powers China was a huge prey waiting to be
dismembered. It only remained for minor Powers to
put in their claims — as we shall see that they did, in
due course.
