The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-04-01
A TROUBLOUS OUTLOOK
The World on the Verge Of a
General Conflict.
WAR SIGNS IN MANY QUARTERS.

The Prospective Struggle Between Russia
and Japan Likely to Involve All Eu-
rope-Russi~'s DISADVANTAGES In the Mat
ter Of suppiies-Piueky Little Japan.
WASHINGTON. April l. - Special =
| Not in many years has there seemed such
a certainty as now that the peace of the
world was about To be disturbed by con-
| fiict Of arms between thoroughly civilized
nations. In addition TO the troubles be-
tween the United States and Spain, which
are now Just eliminating, war Is believed
| 10 be possible II not imminent between
Japan and Russia, and perhaps between
Russia and England. IL such a conflict as
this comes ON, it is difficult to see how
| Germany, France and perhaps other Euro
pean powers can be kept out of It, There.
| fore il is not impossible the world will sec
during the coming l2 months an era Of
war such as IL has not witnessed before In
the century which is now just coming TO
a close. IL such wars do come, it Is pre-
dicted, they will be the most destructive
conflicts ever waged by man. Men who
have made a study OF these things stand
aghast when they reflect upon the conse-
quences, for war in these days Is a much
more terrible thing than it ever was be-
fore.
Not only are modern navies immeasur-
ably superior TO the old navies in strength
and effectiveness, but even upon land war
Is now likely to prove almost infinitely
more destructive than ever before. Rapid
fire guns and improved small arms and
projectiles have surely added TO the NOR
tality lists of every regiment or brigade
that Is now compelled TO go under fire In
comparison with the light losses sustained
in earlier engagements. / have heard ex-
perts say that II the great nations go to
war once more that will practically be the
end of fighting within the realm Of civil
lization, for the loss of life and destruction
of property will be so great that thence
forth 1t will be practically impossible to
get up war.
Russia and Japan.
Diplomatists say they have little doubt
that during the next IL months Russia
and Japan will be at each others threats.
The issues between them growing out Of
Russia encroachments In eastern Asia 10
appears are almost beyond settlement. Ii
Is struggle to the death between them.
Contrary to the general impression, the
japanese are not afraid of Russia. just
now Russia Is the leading power in Eu-
rope, so far as military strength and diplo-
matte prestige are concerned. 1t has
population of 1870, 000, 900 and a standing
army of about 1000, 600 men, with q pos
sibility that on war footing this great
host will be increased to $780, 900. APP
parently Russia is as much stronger than
Japan as the United States is stronger
than Spain, but actually the discrepancy
Is not so great.
1t must be remembered that IL war comes
between the two powers Russia will be
compelled to carry on operations In east
ern Asia. She must defend Siberia and
Korea, and II she Is to infiict any serious
damage upon her enemy must 60 all the
way round the continent 90 attack the
japanese in Japan. 1t is very serious
matter for Russia to attempt to send
armies across Siberia. II the railway across
Asia were completed, the problem would
not be SO difficult, but according to the
latest reports it will take two years more
to finish it. Japan does not propose to
wait for its completion. Once the Trans
siberian railway is done, Russia will DO
master of Asia, and the statesmen of Japan
know 1t. For just this reason diplomatic
authorities expect the collision will come
during the coming summer. They say
till her railway is completed, and is actual
ly contriying for that end. But Japan
knows her golden opportunities in the
present or the near future, and unless
Russia gives some sort of pledge very soon
the nervy japanese are expected to declare
war.
Russia's Disadvantage.
Russia has greater feet than Japan.
but fleets are nothing without coal. 1t is ex-
ceedingly difficult for the Russians to take
their fleets to Pacific waters. In the first
place, they have no ooaling stations EN-
| route. In the second place, they could not
| get coal in sufficient quantities after their
| arrival. Germany found that out to her
| cost when Prince Henry started for the
| Asiatic waters with his squadron, after
| such a vainglorious parting from his
| brother, the kaiser. All the way out the
| German ships were dependent upon Brit.
ish coaling stations for new supplies of
| fuel. Japan, on the other hand, is firmly
| intrenched behind her modern fleet, with
| ample supplies of coal and very good for
| tifcations for defense of her coast line. In
| the event of naval engagement she would
| have great advantage over the Russian
fleets, and the probabilities are would at
first at least gain an important victory.
Russia would have the same trouble In
forwarding troops and supplies. The
japanese thoroughly understand the diff
Guilty which the Russians would encounter
In carry ing on military and naval opera
tions so far from their base, and, notwith-
standing the bigness and apparent i'm
| pregnability of Russia, they are not in the
least afraid of the great bear.
| other Powers Involved.
Japan knows, too, that IL she engages In
war with Russia in defense Of her Asiatic
rights 1T will not be long before other Eu
| ropean powers are involved. England
| would be host In any such conflict be
cause Of her superior navy and the elabo
| rate system of coaling and QUILTING sta
tions which British foresight has for many
years been engaged in building up in al
| parts of the world France has a great
navy, too. but in the ability to operate
effectively far from home IL Is greatly in
| ferior to- the British navy.
III war comes between Spain and the
United states this very question of opera.
| ton so far from base will inure To the ad.
vantage of the United States. As / have