Evening star., 1901-04-17

navy in Asiatic waters is conceded to be
superior to Russia's. Japan's army Is con-
sidered to excel Russia's forces now in
Asia possibly in numbers. certainly in dis
cipiine, dash and efficiency.
Russias strength is in her vast reserve
force in European armies to be conveyed
to eastern Asia quickly by the trans
Siberian railroad when it is completed and
thoroughly equipped. and in the fraction Of
her navy now in European waters.
But if the conflict should begin today, a
united Japan would fight a divided Russia,
and might meet and overcome the Russian
forces in detail for considerable period
II the war in South Africa had ended, so
that England could offset France, 1t seems
certain that Japan would seize the present
opportunity to force the issue with Russia
while the trans Siberian railroad is still in
complete, while International sentiment is
against Russian retention of Manchuria,
and while internal dissensions and nihilist
conspiracies disturb and distract the Rus
sian government.
1t is to be remembered that the question
of war or peace. so far as 1t is to be de-
cided by Japan, depends more on what
Japan thinks it can accomplish than on an
outside and impartial estimate of it's
anese people are thoroughly aroused, and
so confident of victory that their rulers,
even If oppressed by some slight doubts
themselves. may find it impossible to re-
strain them. Japan is poor nation, and
has not the resources to meet the expenses
of protracted struggle with a first-class
power. 1t needs partner with money in
the war-making business
The controversy over Ine Manchurian
convention is only a phase of the great
struggle between Russia and Japan for the
mastery in Asia. Russia has for centuries
been scheming and fighting to secure forti-
fled SeaportS which are not choked with ice
for half the year. Her successive moves
against Constantinople have been baffied,
once even when Turkey was PROSTATE at
her feet. She will not surrender Port Ar
thur and the Manchurian outlet except un.
der a compulsion which overthrows the
whole of her military power. She will fight
the world, IL necessary, for what means to
her the coveted winter seaports, and, with
the completion of the trans Siberian rail-
road. the mastery of Asia.
Japan aspreS to compete with Europe
and America as the representative of the
oriental races. Asia for the Asiatics'' is
the Japanese Monroe doctrine, and as the
only genuine nation OF the lar east, as the
only oriental people welded together into
homogeneous and powerful combination by
a strong national sentiment, they are or
aspire to be the Asiatics for whom eXclu-
sively Asia is reserved. Defeat of even the
smallest realization of this ambitious hope
is threatened by Russia, and for several
years both powers have been straining
every nerve and muscle to prepare for
struggle that has seemed inevitable. A
compromise which would give Corea to
japan and Manchuria to Russia would
probably only delay the last round of the
fight to finish.
The United States fights for trade and
for commercial supremacy in Asia. 1t will
protect and develop it's vastly increasing
commercial interests in the eastern hem
isphere and expects them to be recognized
by whomsoeyer may exercise jurisdiction
over this or that portion of Asiatic soil.
If Asiatic trade accompanies the warship
and the soldier, or needs their sustaining
presence to survive and flourish, Uncle Sam
has an effective accimated army of 65 900
men conveniently at hand in the Philip
pines, and warships in Asiatic waters
which, after Cavits and Santiago, are uni
YerSaly respected.