The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-02
Thr Messemer.
Is THERE A RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
IN PROSPECT.

The news from Russia continues 10
be OF such a disturbing, most serious
character that it would seem that it
would be wise to allude TO
home matters more and think less OF
vast conquests and great additions to
the already tremendous empire. The
gar is a fugitive, his life is in most
imminent danger. threatening letters
have been received by three OF his min
listers. Lieutenant General kournpat-
kin. minister of war; NJ. N. ". Moura-
yieff. minister of justice. n M Slplag-
min. minister Of the interior. The de-
monstrations of revolt continue and
the situations grows more critical and
dangerous daily. There is mystery in
the movements of the people. 1t is
lard to correctly apprehend the nature
and causes Of the pending disturbances.
OF course Russia is a despotism and
has been so through ages. 1t is per-
haps not Of more aggravated tyranny
under the new car than it has been
all along. Indeed there are probably
improvements and the people may be
less oppressed. The great student body
began the recent violent demonstra-
tions of hostility, and it is evident that
they have the ~sympathies perhaps the
aid. of tens Of thousands of Others Of the
dissatisfied and opposed. 1t may be d
beginning of another agitation and plot
of the Nihilists. and that means trou
bic and death.
IF the nVprnrpn Ran RTIIEh AT the
start the incendiary movement it will
De we'll for those in authority if worse
for the people. The Chicago Record
complies the movement with Russian
aggression contemplated as to China
and says: But while the stability of
the government is not threatened from
within the possibility of a general dis
affection throughout the empire may
be none the less influential in causing
radical movements elsewhere. Nothing
has been more apparent during the re-
cent excitement in northern China than
that Japan is eager for a good chance
to square accounts with the Muscovite
power and make itself master of the
Korean peninsula. With Great Britain
III 1SAI laLy UOl
expansion and ready to give their NOR
al support to Japan. the latter has not
beer disposed to hesitate long wen at
the point of war"
Japan is no small and insignificant
power. So far from this it has 40.O0O
of people.and a strong. disciplined army
that have shown themselves to be ex-
cellent fighters. 1t has a good, efficient
modern navy. If it tackles Russia it
will give that giant power some trou.
BILE. The prospect now is that the 9TH
er powers will not lend any aid to ia
pan, but leave it to tuzzle alone with the
gigantic Bear. But it is very serious
with the Russian ruler when he has to
take himself to a steel bedroom. If
this sort of thing continues among
potentates and crowned heads, Edward
XII. may look out for safe sleeping
quarters in the future and even the adj
vocates of American imperialism may
be led to urge the first imperialistic
presidential advocates. to procure at
least an iron bedstead if not a steel
cage. He has fast riends among the
steel trust 1etlOWS WHO can Ut ISllCU
upon TO furnish him with ample ac-
~commodatiOns. The Philadelphia Times
speculates in this view which is worthy
of the sober attention of the magnates:
The possibility that Imperialism may
so progress in America that the metal
architecture now so prevalent in our
buildings, may be extended. as a mat
ter of precaution. to the sleeping quaa
tiers of eminent authority. is not a
pleasant thing to contemplate. And
what makes this view of the case more
serious still is the expansion of that
otner principle which seems to have de-
veloped coextensively with the imperial
notion-the trust. This latter might be-
come the arbiter of the destines not
only of our nation. but also of its
rulers. For. since all the native steel
producing elements have gone into a
combine, were it not the easiest mat
ter in the world for it to refuse anv
requisition endangered Imperialism
might make upon it for material where
with to line Its bed chamber. unless
granted privileges that even with all
its cheek and recklessness it may hesi-
tate to ask for now?"