The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-10-27
JAPAN AND RUSSIA.


fed Observers that Japan is preparing
for war with Russia. 1t IS probably
true as It has hitherto been true. II
does not necessarily mean that war is
Inevitable or near at hand France and
Germany have been preparing for war
with each other for the last thirty
wears. but they are today further from
actual war than at any other time in
all that period. 1t Is necessary for
Japan 10 be in a constant state Of prep
ara:ion for war with Rusla, But the
more complete her preparation Is the
less IS the danger OF war, says the New
York Tribune. Russia never resorts to
war with a strong and prepared power
when Il is possible to avoid It. Her
victories and conQuests have been those
OF diplomacy and intrigue rather than
Of battle. and in such WAYS viii she
doubtless endeavor to attain her ends
IN China and Corea. and she VIII not
fight Japan II dghtlng can be avoided.
A noteworty example Of Russia's
methods is afforded by the case OF
Manchuria. When Russia proposed 70
China the famous Manchurian agree
ment, which was to ceie Manchuvia
TO Russia and 10 establish a Russian
pro:ectorate over more than half Of the
Chinese empire. and began 10 take steps
to coerce China into accepting it. ia
pan demonstrated in no uncertain
terms. and insisted that she must
have a voice in any part.tioning of the
Chinese empire which nigh; b. under
taken. To this Russia replied in a note
which was characteristically sauve and
courteous. but which. nevertheless. in
Iimated pretty plainly that what Rus
sia did in China was none o. Japan's
business. That came dangerously near
causing open trouble. Bu: the Japan
ese government controlled It's temper.
and began the preparation 0f a rstor'
as courteous and certainly as f'rcihle as
the Russian note. 10 the effect that
japan meant to MAKE the fate 1f China
very much her business. That seconl
message was not sent, however. for the
reasen tha, Russia, learning wha: its
purport wouli be. abandoned her ex-
traordinary claims and let the Man
churian agreement drop.
In fac;, however Russia is practically
enforcing the Manchurian agreement
at least in Manchur,a itself That prov
ince is now substantially a part Of the
Russian Empire. Russia has closed its
treaty ports and has forbidden the en-
trance Of Americans and other foreign
ers. and in nearly all respects Is act
ing as though the Manchurian agree
ment had been signed instead Of being
dropped: and the latest report Is that
she is reviving for formal signature
the same old agreemnt under a slightly
different guise. Japan sees all this.
She remembers. too. that at the close
Of her own war with China she pro-
posed 10 retain possession OF a small
bit OF Manchuria and that Russia OBJ
tected strenuously, declaring that at all
odds the integrity OF the Chinese en-
pire on the mainland must be preserv-
ed. Japan is now asking by what right
Russia now does the very thing. only
on a much larger scale, which Japan
was forbidden TO do. That is what en-
RACES Japan ami causes her 10 prepare
for war with the utmost zeal. She sees
that she was compelled TO retire from
and to rellnquish her lawful spoils Of
war not that China might be saved
from spoiladon. but that these self
same spoils might be seized by RUSSIA.