The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-10

1t is hard to fathom Russia's real de-
signs regarding Manchuria, but it seems
improbable that they relate merely to ter
ritorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. No other gov
eminent is in less need of territorial ex
tension to-day than Russia. Her contiguous
and unbroken domain is already more than
twice as large the United States and
territories, more than twice as large as
France and all her colonies. and many
times larger than Germany. a large por-
ton of her vast domain is very sparsely
settled and the resources of the entire
empire are but imperfectly developed. Rus
sia's population is not pressing upon her
boundaries. and will not for a long time
to come. So far from needing more terri
tory she could well afford to part with
some if her national policy and traditions
would permit it. What Russia needs
above everything else is the elevation of
her people and the development of her
internal resources. With her peace is an
economic necessity. Not only is she in no
condition to go to war, but she needs peace
as a means of improving the condition of
her people and developing her vast nat
rral resources in Europe and Siberia.
Whether this can be done under so des-
potic government as that which now pre-
walls, and under conditions so unfavor-
able to progress of any kind is doubtful.
but 1t is what Russia needs-not more ter
ritory but more Industrial development.
The application Of this view Of the case
to Russia's policy regarding Manchuria
would indicate that Ii is based on some
thing else than mere acquisition of terri
tory. Mr.. jeremiah Curtin, an American
diplomat and author. who lived many
turned TO the United States from a tour
around the world. thinks her object is to
protect her railroads. Being familiar with
the language and politics of Russia and
personally acquainted with some of her
statesmen. Mr.. Curtin's views are entitled
to special weight. In a published inter-
view he says:
Russia has no desire to acquire the adj
ministration of Manchuria. 1t is inhabit-
ed by troublesome population that has
doubled and trebled I'm recent years be-
cause of the great exodus from China to
that country of surplus population, as
we'll as criminals and other undesirable
persons. Russia wants To protect her
mating at Vladivostok, and a branch
starting, l believe at Tsitsikhar and end
ing at Port Arthur. Her railroads are to
be to Russia what ships have been and
are TO England. Russia will be able TO
touch every part of Asia with her bands
of steel, even Africa. Some
months ago | met the Russian minister of
finance, Witte. in St Petersburg. L knew
his father and mother, as we'll as his uncle.
Gen. Fadeyen, the military and political
author. with whom in 1867 L travelled along
the Armenian and Turkish boundaries. L
knew Witte years ago when he was a
sIudent at the University of Odessa, and
we nave long been nrm friends. The great
railroad system of Siberia comes under his
department. He assured me that Russia's
policy In China was not one of military
conquest. Our policy In China" said he,
lis that OF peace and industry.
1t is unfortunate for Russia that the
traditional policy of her rulers and of her
diplomacy makes the world attribute
sinister motives to whatever she does. The
foregoing statement regarding her policy
I'm Manchuria seems TO harmonic with
all that is known of her economic condi-
ton and real needs, and yet other powers
hesitate to believe IL. The world has not
yet grasped the full significance of the
great railway system which Russia is
gagged in developing in the Siberian Rail-
way and its branches. When completed it
will far surpass any other single railway
system in the world and will be of in
estimable value to Russia in a military
sense and in opening up and developing
new regions. Russia knows she can never
be great naval power. She may be able
ultimately to maintain a very respectable
navy, but she will never be a sea power
nor colonizing power. Her forte and her
Destiny are on land Her railroads." says
Mr.. Curtin, 'are to be to Russia what
snips have been and are to England" IL
she can surround and penetrate China with
railroads she will have n distinct advant-
age in trade over any naval power. Such
a policy Is IN keeping with the commercial
spirit of the twentieth century. and Russia
is the only nation that is in position TO
carry it out. Twenty years hence railroad
tracks may play a more important part
in controlling the trade of China, for
which all nations are now preparing to
compete. than the tracks of ocean steam
ers. In this view Of the case Russia's Man
churian policy is ineligible without sup
posing that she wants to appropriate the
territory. The protection of her railroad
lines and terminals is far more important
than the addition of a few thousand square
miles and few hundred thousand half
civilized people to her present surplus of
both. England is as bitterly opposed to
the commercial expansion of Russia in the
East as she is TO her territorial expansion.
and will fight one as determinedly as she
would the other. 1t is very doubtful. how
ever. If the interests Of the United States
lie IN the same direction.