The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-14
RUSSIA AND JAPAN.
senator BeverfdGe's View Of Their
Growing Racial AntagOnism.

Kansas City Star.
Senator Beverage. who put in consider
able time in the Philippines China. Japan
and Russia last year is writing a series OF
articles for the Saturday Evening Post.
which display an intelligent grasp OF the
political aspects OF the far East and show
the senator TO be a keen observer Perhaps
the most interesting OF his articles is that
devoted TO what he regards as the signs OF
inevitable war between Russia and Japan.
Mr.. Beverage does not venture an opinion
as TO when the war may come. but he is
quite convinced that il is the only possible
outcome of present conditions and tenden-
cies. He says it may be delayed five years,
ten years. thirty years. but that only by
war can the rivalry and the racial anti
pathy between the two nations be recon-
ciled.
The part played by Korea in the relations
between Russia and Japan is very gener-
ally understood. Russia is constantly
strengthening itself i'm Manchuria with the
ill-concealed determination OF extending its
dominion over the peninsula OF Korea,
which, in the language of a japanese
Statesman quoted by Mr.. Beverage points
AT the heart of Japan" The allied interests
of foreign powers in China. as defined
through the recent invasion of the empire
and the adjustments growing out of IL.
may do much to retard the progress and
restrict the authority OF Russia ia Man
churia, but with this exception there is
nothing TO interfere with Russia's designs
except the determination of Japan that
Korea must not be Russianized. But for the
alliances made by Russia at the time Of the
war between Japan and China. Japan
would be in an advantageous position to-
day. But as it was, the island empire was
cheated out of the fruit OF its victory. Its
great purpose from now on is to prevent
Russia from getting possession OF Korea,
for with such an acquisition, Japan would
consider itself doomed.
Senator Beverage pictures a degree OF
racial hatred between the two nations that
has been understood by few persons. He
declares that the japanese despise the Rus
slams. calling them hairy brutes." and alb
solutely refuse to give them credit Tor
their good qualities. On the other hand, the
Russians not only hate the Japs. but re-
gard them with contempt. their familiar
term of opprobrium being the little mon
keys" They discredit the advanced civil
iZatiOn of Japan. declaring that IL Is a SUI
perficial imitation. at heart distasteful TO
Russians are grossly prejudiced-
But whatever foundation there may be
for the respective prejudices OF these two
nations toward each other they are con-
stantly thinking of war In each the pub
! lie mind, through all the classes, is fully
bent the ultimate conflict. 1t is part
! feed this hatred, and Mr.. Beverage be-
lieves that the war, when IL comes. VIII be
one Of the fercest and most merciless ever
waged.
Neither country is ready for the conflict
| Both need money. Both countries are maxi
ing the most careful plans for the increase
of revenue. AS fast as conditions per-
! nit there is an increase in the fighting
! strength Of each The Russian army Is
composed Of men of stalwart build. rigor-
/ Gus training and a larger degree Of endur-
/ ance than any other fighting force in tbs
world. The Japanese are described as mar
! velously drilled and splendidly disciplined.
with a mobility that will count for much
against the superior individual weight OF
/ the enemy.
Meanwhile the statesmen of both coun-
/ tries hope for peace in the end. They still
| believe that a way may be found by which
| the conflict may be avoided Their chief
hope is in the world sentiment against
war and the outside influence that will be
brought to bear. The Eastern trade is
| now becoming a considerable factor 10
! large number of influential powers.
Strangely enough both Russia and Japan
! count on the sympathy OF the United States
/ in case of war-the former because OF the
! traditional friendship with this country
! and the distinguished services rendered In
/ the civil war; the latter because OF the
! kinship of modern systems and institutions.