Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-05-02

very AWtShNSIlHS IHAHSh VA tue
Troubles over Manchuria aud Chima.
The following extracts from Il let
Ter written by Prof Il. III. Vickers
who is now in Toxic, Japan, TO a
Morgant0wn friend have been made
for cur readers. The summary OF the
main points Ia the situation is worth
careful attention. From this paper
II viii be seen that war Is imminent
and that Japan will go into II with
her eyes open aud determined to main
tain herself respect or perish 10 the
attempt.
There are very grave approximations
OF war between this country and Rus
STA. Japan has pursued noble, al
most a self etfacing policy In concert
with western powers in China. Rus
sia has persisted in her efforts to brow
beat and bully China into so-called
treaty which practically would SUBJ
stitute Russian for Chinese sovereign.
ty over the whole Mauchurlan prov
inee. Since Russia pretends TO act IN
concert With the other powers, this
attempt separately to conduct nego-
tiatlons with China Is In fact down
right insult to all the others. But
since Russia Is apparently more for
midable than the Beers and The SO
called "inferlor peoples the powers
accept the insult with equanimlty.
Germany has even volunteered In adj
vance an assurance that Russia had
nothing to fear from her, after having
solemnly concluded an agreement
with England TO maintain the integ
rity of China. Japan was invited to
join in this agreement, and after hav-
ing been assured that IL covered all
Chinese territory (Manuhuria inclnd-
ed) She assented. The action OF Ger
many in practically inviting Russia
to pursue her aggressIons with pre-
sious assurance of German good will
Is therefore difficult 10 characterize.
Perfdy, hypocrisy and lies are but
mild expressions for it. Any indivld-
ual who acted so toward his ass0cl-
ates would be branded as an infamous
and hypocritlcal intrIguer and would
become an ontcast, unworthy Of re-
spectacle associates. Why Is such
action less Infamous when 1t repre-
sents nearly sixty million people who
together constitute what they them
selves call ode Of the Kulturlander, a
select company among which even the
American nation is not ordinarily con-
coded position! If national dignity
and self respect were anything else
than empty names when offense comes
from strong people, there we would
naturally look to see all the powers
spontaneously rise Indignantly To re-
sent the Russian insult. But 1t
seems that 'sgreat nations" at the
present day only become righteously
and actively indignant at the insul Is
of weak and inferior people. Hence
there Is no united protest against the
bullying insults OF Russia, and pluckY
little Japan Is left practically alone
to resist Russian aggression in Maui
churia, since In addition to her share
OF the insult Japan's most vital inter-
ests are at stake.
The fact is simply this. The terri
torial ambition OF Russia Is insatia-
Bile. Her aggressions extend Ia prac-
lice already to Korea or well on to
Manchuria. Now Korea is visible
from one point Of Japan. II Russia
be quietly permitted to take Mauchu-
ria now, she will the more rapidly
absorb Korea later. japanese terrific
ny is logically next. With actual
occupation Of Manehuria and Korea,
would 60 railway construction, forth
fications, enlargement Of the Russian
army and navy In the orient. Any
attempt Of Japan then to defend her
self simply against Russian aggression
would be almost hopeless from the
outset. Hence the only logical time
for resistance to Russian aggression Is
now. The Japanese are practically
unanimous in the belief that II war
must come, better now with chance
Of success than later with practically
hopeless chances There is stolid
determination, proud indifference
to death In worthy causein the Jap
anese character which the world doe
not we'll know, but which you will
find well described in the little book
| sent you. Added TO these traits are
fiery patriotism, newly born in the
present era, which amounts almost TO
fanatical alteration, | am SO fully con-
scious Of these traits in the japanese
and Of their value in war, If war must
come, j look with confidence. for Jap
anese victory at the outset. The
point OF doubt arises when the posi-
bility of prolonged conflict is con-
templated. Russia would have more
resources Of every kind and in pro-
longed conflict would probably win
out by virtue Of her multitudes and
her millions where Japan would have
but tens or thousands.
1t is a great satire on civiliza-
tion once more to see the great Rus
sian bully about to ponce on an
inoffensive little nation which desires
simply Sodefend its most sacred rights.
All the more sombre becomes the color
of the present picture II we reflect
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