The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-27
THE COMPLICATION IN ii EAST.

Yesterday was a day of almost intense
interest in diplomatic circles throughout
the world, it being the last day allowed by
Russia for China to sign or reject the
treaty ceding or at least practically sur
rendering the control of Manchuria TO Rus
STA. In spite of Russia's assurances that
the treaty was only intended to protect her
rights without materially changing exist
ing conditions, her action has been re-
garded with d~isfavor by all the powers and
by Japan almost as a cause of war. At
last accounts the treaty had not been
signed by China. and she was believed to
be soliciting the support of the other
powers in her refusal to sign. Chinese diplo-
macy is so unfathomable that this view of
the situation may be entirely incorrect.
China's present refusal to sign may be
part of an understanding with Russia by
which she is to feign reluctance with the
intention Of signing after further delay, or
it may be part of a plan TO draw the pow
ers into further complications and destroy
the so-called concert.
Among the immediate results of China's
signing the treaty probably the most i'm
portant is the practical certainty that
Japan would regard IL as cause of war.
Japan's jealousy of Russian aggressive
ness on the eastern coast of Asia is no new
thing. and is we'll founded. A glance at the
map will show that the Russian empire al
ready embraces a long coast line on the
sea of Japan, confronting the islands. The
acquisition of Manchuria would place Rus
STA in a commanding position relative to
Korea. Her next step would be the ac-
QUESTION of that kingdom. which would
place her much nearer Japan and in a more
menacing position than she has ever oc-
cupied before. A Japanese statesman in
London is reported as saying: Russia has
no right to M~anchuria. and if she secures
Manchuria she will he on the way to Sc
curing Korea" He is undoubtedly light,
as he is also in the view that if Russia
secures Manchuria the only question for
Japan is whether she will fight Russia
now or later on. Korea ought to belong to
Japan. from which ii is only separated by
a narrow. sea. 1t has been a cause of fric-
llOn DtlNttn IuSclt dhO japan lOT many
years. and of the near approach to war
more than once. Japan has claimed and
exercised a quasi-sovereignty over Korea
for over n thousand years. although China
also claimed a sort of sovereignty over the
country. and has bitterly resented Russian
aggression in that direction. AT the close
of her victorious war with China in 1895
Japan was fairly entitled TO annex Korea,
and would have done so but for Russian
opposition. The friction then engendered
resulted in a treaty between Russia and
japan, by which they both agreed 10
definitely recognize the sovereignty and
entire independence OF Korea. and mutually
engage 10 refrain from all direct interfer-
ence in the affairs OF thai country" AL
though Japan has observed this treaty in
good faith she has bitterly deplored the
necessity OF executing IL. and has felt that
she was unjustly prevented from annex
ing Korea after the war with China. Japan
feels instinctively that Russia is her
natural enemy and that Russian domina-
ton Of the yellow sea would be not only
fatal TO Japan's growing commerce but
probably to her independence. In this
spirit she mas been steadily strengthening
her navy during the last hve years, believ-
ing that the time would come when she
would have to fight Russia. II a war be-
tween The two powers could be fought out