The evening times., 1899-11-07
A New Menace of War.


member that when the Graeco-Turkish
war OF 1891 was imminently impending, IL
was predicted by European statesmen ana
diplomatists who were trying to avert ii
that if il should brsak out the chances
we're il might start a contagion that would
srcircle the globe bsfcre it could be
I stopped. We'll. the war in question did oc-
+ cur and whether or not the cpl
demic theory had anything to do
: with subsequent conditions and
! movements the fact remains that ever
since the civilized world has been greatly
disturbed and beilicose. The ashes of the
ecntiasraiion in Macedonia and Crete were
hardly cold when the cosmic map-ehanginp
Spanish war came along, and while that is
q vivid memory Of only yesterday We have
the desperate struggle in South Africa.
The blood craze is not likely to hat at
that If We may credit the cmirous stories
Ne are hearing of martial activities and
designs in the Far East. II i5 now be-
ieved in many weil-informed quarters
that We are On the eve of a desperate fight
between japan and Russia. The former
I
the Aikado from securing the fruits of his
war with China. Out of that affair all
that Japan was permitted 10 realize was
the single island Of Formosa, which by
reason Of the savage and hostile nature OF
its inhabitants has been to the conqa5r ror
hut bitter piece of Dead Sea fruit to tn
day. Japan felt entitled 10 annex Korea
in frlfiilment of her ambition to gain Il
foOthold on the Asiatic mainland. Russia
vetoed this, and decreed that she should
forever remain an island state. But what
Japan coveted. Russia has been preparing
to take ever since. and this consideration,
added to the old injury, has created bitter
hatred among all classes of the japanese
fer the great absorbing power OF northern
Europe.
1t is now thought that Japan is ready TO
Russian advance in China by making war.
Formerly there were restrictions on Jap
anese immigration into Korea, but these
were quietly removed some time ago. and
fer months it is said that thousands of
the Miksdo's troops have been swarming
into the little kingdom disguised as set
tiers. Russian officers view this movement
with disquet, admitting that to meet
strong japanese force in Korea or Man
ehuria they have nothing but half-trained
Siberian soldiers. and not too many of
them. Their railway is far from compile
ticn, and reinforcement by sea is i'm
practicable in view of the strength of the
Japanese navy
As Japan has a number of excellent war
vessels nearing completion. it is conceded
that under ordinary conditions she would |
postpone hOstilities until spring, when they !
would be in commission and available But |
various considerations seem TO fortify the |
opinion that she will not wait for the ships, |
but strike within very short time. We |
may note that. In case Of such a war. the |
complication mozt to be dreaded by Japan |
would be the alliance OF Russia with !
France; but at this juncture the latter is |
French nation has the Exposition of 1860 /
en- its hands. and would naturally endeavor
to abstain from adventures calculated to |
ruin that enterprise. Still more important
ly, France would certainly hesitate to be-
ccme seriously involved in a distant war.
the objects of which would almost sure
iy cross the political interests and objects
of Germany. There would be too much
ground for the fear that a Russo French
war combination in China would be an
swered by an AngIo-Japanese naval con-
cert. and by German army to the west
Of the Rhine.
Therefore, for the nonce. Russia would
:seem to be isolated and compelled to fight
Japan in Korea or Manchuria at decided
so great that the very
act is sufficient to impress the public mind
With the probability that the sso-Japan-
sse war rumors are not without substan.
ial basis.