The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-31
II EASTERN A

Civilization will watch with dismay a
conflict between Japan and China. 1t
is likely to be productive Of bloody
scenes and the horrors Of war will have
a new and terrible meaning.
1t is worth remembering, however,
that the bloodiest battles in history have
been fought by the soldiers Of civilized
nations. History does not record two
more sanguinary or vicious engagements
than those of Gravelotte between the
German and French armies, and Gettys-
burg where brother met brother in
awful combat.
The NEWS begs to remind its readers
Of another thing which has to do with
the tendency Of popular opinion-which,
far off as the war is, must naturally
"take Sides" as the boys say. The cur
rent OF opinion a. expressed in the news
columns of the American press Is now,
and is likely to be for some time, very
much on the side of China-that ire
mendous example Of NATURALIZATION
and anti Christian power. But the
news columns Of the American press are
necessarily filed largely from the near
est available channel and that is Eng
land-and England is very much preju-
diced in the matter. The German and
Russian press will much more closely
express what should be American senti-
ments.
The news and comment available to
the American newspapers has so far
thrown much of the blame for the pres
emit trouble on the shoulders of Japan.
That, in a word, is the opinion of the
English press, the English diplomats
and the English bondholders and COM
mercial centers. That it is about the
only opinion SO far available does not
necessarily demonstrate that it Is a fair
judgment. As The NEWS pointed out
the other day, 1t is probably not a cor
rect judgment.
AS a matter of fact we may well give
Japan the benefit of any doubts-for the
present at least. We can do this, in de-
fault of all the actual facts, for the pres
emit, for broad reasons. We know that
China is a monstrous blockade in the
path Of civilization and Christianity. We
know that Japan is progressive and that
it has been for years. her policy to open
her doors to civilization, to education,
to a closer acquaintance with the West
ern world, and that her people yearn for
that association and advancement. That
is what has made Japan's relations with
the United States so friendly and, COM
paratively, 80 intimate. This country
can have no purpose in fostering ignor-
ance and ~barbarity, and she has met
Japan half way in the nations effort to
be great among the great nations of the
world.
A war that shall result in q victory
for Japan will be a triumph Of a better
civilization in the far Eastern seas. The
contrary will be a victory for a con-
ceited, autocratic, self-satisfied, semi
barbarous, absolute monarchy.
And, powerful as the Pekin govern
ment is, it is the power only of a
strongly intrenched despotism. All of
the millions Of Chinese are not in sym
patty with the central government, which
represents a dynasty regarded by the
mass Of people as foreign and usurpers.
Japan, on the other hand, is strong with
the strength Of a loyal and intelligent
people who worship their nations institu-
tiOns and are devoted TO their nations
advancement.
This condition Is likely TO affect the
result of the wal quite differently from
what a hasty glance at the situation
would naturally anticipate.