The morning call., 1894-12-20
THE WAR IN ASIA.

The detailed accounts OF the capture of
Port Arthur, which are now coming to
hand by mail, show that that stronghold,
which in the hands of a resolute CON-
mander ought to have resisted assault for
months if not for years. being amply sup
piled with water and provisions, fell
simply through the cowardice and the
paralysis of its defenders. The Chinese
troops ran away; that Is all there is to be
said about them. The Japanese generals
must have based their operations on a
knowledge of the Chinese mind; il the
fortress had been adequately defended it
would have detained the invaders long
enough to enable LII Hung Chang to gather
recruits from every part of the empire.
AS it was, it fell at the first shock, and the
victorious invaders pushed on toward
New Chwang, at the head of the Gulf of
Liau-Tong. Most of Eastern Sinking Is
now in Japanese hands, and may be lost
forever to China.
Words are being wasted in accounts of
savage butcheries which are said to have
been perpetrated by the Japanese at the
capture of Port Arthur. The author of
these accounts probably never saw a
battle before, and is unaware that war is
always cruel. In the heat of battle men
whose lives have been in danger are apt
to be ruthless Ia dealing with a van
pushed foe; to expect gentleness of them
is to ignore the instincts of human nature.
Among oriental combatants life has al
ways been lightly reckoned; it is quite
probable that in the heat of conflict the
Jaranese gave no quarter. That does not
int nrinayal har ma = m
on their part.
What is of more practical consequence
at the present juncture is the question
what the Japanese propose to do with
their conquest when they have completed
it, If the Chinese, after several months
preparation, could not defend Port Arthur,
it seems unlikely that they will be able to
defend Tlentsin or Picking; in other
words, all China north of the Yellow River
appears 10 be likely to be conquered by
the japanese. What will they do with II !?
This question may be studied to advan-
age IN the light of the opinions lately ex-
pressed by Admiral Belknap, who is now
retired from the navy and is living in Con-
necticut. He says that he has seen the
Japanese navy maneuver, as likewise the
English navy, and he considers the former
the more efficient of the two. He affirms,
after a lifeline of observation, that the
Japanese are born fighters. and that after
the self-cOnfdence which the victories
they are now winning will have put into
them they will not be afraid to try con-
illusions with any nation in the world.
This view must be duly considered in con-
nection with The alleged design OF Great
Britain, France and Russia to prevent the
Acknowledgement of China by force of arms.
If Japan puts forth, as an illustration,
a purpose 10 add Northern China to the
dominion of Dai Nippon, the European
powers will have to acquiesce or to fight.
II they acQuiesce the map Of Asia might
have to be MADE over.
1t would i'll accord with European de-
signs in Asia for Japan to become the
arbitsr of he situation and to dismember
China. Probably before permitting that
the grsat powers would unite in some
policy either for the protection of China or
their own ACKNOWLEDGMENT.