The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-04-04
RUSSIA AND JAPAN.
The Former Will Obtain Pacific Out.
let From the Latter Country.
Thus Developing Into One of the Greatest
Sea Powers of the Earth--This Has Been
Russia's Desire for Years, and Now
Her Ambition Seems Realized.

WASHINGTON, April 1T is believed
by state department officials and in
diplomatic circles generally that the
reports of an alliance between Russia
and Japan are founded on fact.
Many things which have happened
since the beginning of the trouble
over Corea, lead to this conclu-
sion, and it is thought that after
the declaration of peace and the
requirement by japan of additional
privileges and influence the hand Of
Russia will be very soon in evidence.
For generation the Baltic empire has
been maneuvering to extend her pres
tige along the Pacific, in order to give
herself an outlet through the Siberian
provinces, thus developing into one of
the great sea powers of the earth and
making herself the dominating factor
in Asiatic politics.
Through all these years the watchful
eyes of Great Britain have been upon
her, and it has been possible to take
no marked step in advance without
risking the possibilities of conflict
with British greed and jealousy.
Through an entirely unexpected
source Russia now seems about
to see her ambition realized.
The victorious career of militant
Japan and the sudden elevation of that
country TO place among the ruling
ing powers of the earth have not been
regarded by England as among the
probable developments of Asiatic poll
tics, but Russia's shrewdness in culti-
waiting the friendship of the island en-
pire in Japan's hour of weakness now
bears fruit in the consideration whic h
she will receive in Japan's time of tri-
umph.
1t is believed here that the demands
made upon China will only be such as
meet with the approval of Russia so
far as the autonomy of Corea is con-
cerned and the disposition of the
northern provinces of the Celestial
empire. 1t is suggested that Ja-
pan would never have entered
upon the war with China unless
she had been confident of the friend
ship and support of Russia in cer-
tain contingencies, and she will not
allow Russia to suffer for lack of con-
sideration in the disposition of the
spoils of war. Such advantages as
come to Russia, however, are likely to
come with an appearance of indirect
ness, and, with her usual craft, she
will take no step which will place her
before the world in the attitude, of an
aggressive despoiler of territory.
The advantages to Russia will not
appear until after the conclusion of the
terms of peace. Then it will be found
that she has secured the outlet for her
commerce and her navy on the Pacific
without raising q hand. If after the
declaration Of the autonomy of Corea
she cares to secure port by the ces'
sion of Corean territory, the Corean
king will be only too glad to follow
the advice of his patron and protector,
the mikado, and make the cession.
But it is not believed that Russia will
ask for this, for the simple reason that
| it will not be necessary.
With Japan in control of the Yellow
sea, in possession of the island of For
mosa, established ut Port Arthur and
Wei-Hai-Wei, and exercising friendly
supervision over Corea, the Russian
empire will enjoy all the privileges OF
| free outlet without any of the re-
sponsibilties.
Japan will give her ally full freedom
of the seas and coasts under her con
troll, SO that Japanese victory means
incidentally Russian aggrandizement
The effects of this new alignment oi
powers in eastern Asia will be his
toric.