Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-07-21
RUSSIA and JAPAN.
Some Facts That Are Leading to
OminOuS Reports.
Mr.. Stevens, of the Japanese Lega-
ton, Thinks the Two Countries
are Naturally and Logically
Friends - Groundless Rumors
About Russia's Designs.

About Russia's Designs.
Special Correspondence of the Register.
Washington, July 20.-The rumor
has been industriously circulated of late
that collision between Japan and Rus
STA may be expected at any moment.
1t has been authoritatively denied, but
still reappears from time to time with
enough added circumstantiality of de-
tail to give the repetition an air of
probability. 1t is difficult to under
stand to what this rumor owes its
vitality, unless it is to the belief en-
tertained by a certain class of English
writer's in the East that Russia is al
ways connecting some mysterious and
malevolent plot, aimed primarily at
English interests in that part of the
world, but conducive also to the injury
of China or Japan, as the case may be.
This habit of ascribing to Russia am
bilious and INSCRIPTIONS designs has
become chronic in some quarters and may
account for those alarming kilograms
which come from Shanghai and Tien
Tsin with such curious regularity.
Nothing could be further from the
truth than these alarming statements;
and few things could be more mis-
chevious than this constant harping
Gpon a subject which has already been
4 fruitful source of dangerous YiritatiOn.
1t would almost seem as if the persons
who make this periodical announce
ment of the imminent danger OF armed
collisions between Japan and Russia
wish to anticipate the misfortune they
describe by creating distrust and
hatred between Two nations which have
many interests in common, and none of
whose differences are not capable of
being settled upon a basis equally fair
and equitable to both.
Other nations may have cause or
may think that they have cause, to dis
trust Russia's designs in the East. but
not Japan. Any one who studies the
Eastern situation carefully and with
out prejudice must discover that the
circumstances Of their respective con-
ditions, geographical, racial, agricul-
tural, commercial and industrial, COM
bine to lend force to the statement that
they should naturally and logically be
friends and not enemies. Neither the
progress nor the growth of either in
terferes with that of the other; on the
contrary, each has a great deal to gain
from any increase in prosperity on the
part of the other. In all probability
the greatest progress of Japan during
the next few years will be in the way
of manufactures, while Russia, or at
least that part of it contiguous to Japan
is the richest in agricultural and min
eral resources. In these respects. as
well as in others that might be men
toned. the resources Of one country
will supplement those of the other, and
will practically demonstrate that the
most advantageous policy on both sides
is a friendly and not a hostile one.
1t is Of course we'll known that there
has been certain amount of dissatis-
faction in Japan in consequence OF the
abandonment of the Liam Tung PENN
sula in Difference to the representa-
tions made by Russia, France and Ger
many. That was inevitable, and it
was equally to have been expected FROM
Russia, having taken the initiative in
bringing about the arrangement which
was finally made, should have become
the target for the criticism of the more
ardent and headlong among japanese
journalists. There has been. indeed,
an unusual amount of decidedly intem-
perate newspaper comment upon both
sides. but happily sober second thought
is beginning to have its effect, and both
the Japanese and the Russian press ara
inclined to be less bellicose and more
reasonable.
Intelligent Japanese perceive that
there may well have been more danger
than glory or profit in the permanent
possession of any portion of the Chinese
mainland. Such an occupation could
not well have been no"ur'Hr'lv ~"-
and it is at least doubtful
whether the strategic winch At 1usufcu
could not have been gained in a SINH
lar and much less expensive way. The
occupation of Formosa, on the other
hand, is in the line of natural national
growth, and is not calculated to
arouse any feeling Of suspicion and dis
trust, or to be source of expense to the
national eXchequer.
Furthermore, Japan lost no prestige
by consenting to surrender the Liam
Tung peninsula The spirit of wise
which governed her action
cannot be COMPOUNDED with any pusil-
luminous motive, but must be regarded,
as it is in fact already regarded by the
world at large, as establishing a pre-
cedent which will be very useful here
Rfter.
The precise object which Russia has
in view can of course only be cOnjec-
tured. 1t is. however safe to say that
it does not involve any plans inimical
to Japanese interests. Russia has in
Siberia a vast territory the resources Of
which are as yet substantially undevel-
oped. An important enterprise is al
ready under way, the construction of a
railway through the territory. Branches
and feeders to that railway will doubt
less follow in due course, and Siberia
will become a much more important
part of the Russian Empire than 1t IS
at present II has been customary TO
describe this railway as a purely mill
tarv project. but the description is by
no means accurate. Considerations Of
national defense had no doubt a great
deal TO do with the inception of the en-
terprise. but not more, it may reason
ably be supposed. than the question OF
utilizing the resources of a region which
has hitherto been practically inaccessi-
HE. one of the principal difficulties
which confronts Russia in carrying out
This plan is the lack Of a good harbor
80, tho Siberian coast. VladivOstOck,