The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-12
Senator Hansbrough and Other Far
Sighted Observers Think It
Inevitable.
May Not Come for Some Years
Alaska Would Likely Be the
Battle Ground.
In Such an Event British ALI
ance, Uniting Anglo-Saxon
Race, Would Follow.
From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building
Weshinrton

From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building,
Washington.
Washington, Nov. 12.-In speech
at Cando last year, Senator Hans
brough predicted that the next great
war would be between the United
States and Russia, with Great Brit
ain as an American ally, the issue
being the Chinese orient and the bat
tleground Alaska. The prolongat1on
of the eastern crisis and Russla's evil
ident intention to control Manchur1a,
coupled with the general belief tina.
a foothold in Manchuria Is but a part
of the Russian Asiatic scheme, entl-
ties the Hans3rough prediction to
consideration.
Washington diplomats take a seri-
Gus view of the Chinese question.
There may be no war in the imme-
date future; but that eventually the
United States will be compelled to
restrain Russian advances by force is
generally believed here.
Great Britain, which has many i'm
portant interests, commercial ana
otherwise, In the Chinese orient also
feels that a conflict between Russia
on the one hand and herself and the
United States on the other, is bound
to come. Other senator's have sim
liar opinion to that of Mr.. Hans
brough, and since the settlement or
the Alaskan boundary dispute. there
is more talk than ever In official cir
cles about the necessity which Will
arise before many years OF a strong
alliance between the two great Eng
lish-speaking powers for the contin-
uance of stable conditions in China,
for the open door," and, above all,
for the supremacy of Angio-Saxon
civilization With Russia in control
of the northern half of Europe ana
Asia, there would be nothing to stop
- world L.
Her civilization would dominate all
lands, and the work Of centuries for
the uplifting Of humanity would be
for naught.
Secretary Hays masterful diploma
cy has thus far prevented any rup-
fture with Russia, and at the same
time it has secured for America ana
the world substantial concessions IN
China. But Mr.. Hay will not always
be secretary Of state, nor VIII rus
STA, once she feels prepared Tor the
struggle. yield as readily as she mas
TO outside pressure. !.
According to the Hansbro ugh IDEA, II
war arose between the United states
and Russia, the first thing Russia
would do would be to invade Alaska.
She could not land FORCES on the coasl
in any Of the states, but in Alaska,
! with it's immense stretches of coast
line, which it will require several gem
erations to fortify properly, ana WIN
the lack of resistance which comes
from small population, would De the
brough thinks that nothing could pre-.
vent Russia from landing 100000
armed men in Alaskan territory. Inc
only thing the United States could dc
would be to send an army TO NEE
them. The great battles for the pres
ervation of Chinese national integrity
and for the triumph of the Anglo
Saxon race, would thus be fought or
Alaskan soil. The American govern
ment for several years has, thru navy
and army officers, assisted by the geo
logical survey, been making a close
study of Alaska, it's climate, SOIL
rivers, harbors, agricultural poss1biil
ties, and other things which 1T Woult
be necessary to know in the event |
was necessary to send an army there
Itfi Is true that all this information i
being gathered for the benefit o
residents in the territory and as
means Of encouraging more rapid set
tlement but it is also true that thu
information is also being deposited
with the navy department and will
the general staff of the army. Their
Is no question that war With Rus
sia Alaska would be STRATEGY
point.
Why Britain Gave Up Boundary Fight
Approaching that the future proba
bly, has in store some such catastro
SiAes
Great Britain was willing to settle tn
Alaskan boundary dispute on our oW
terms thus binding the two countrie
more closely together. 1t is said her
that the United States knew long i
advance Of, the meeting of tn
boundary commission that it's decisio
would favor our contention Not tina
Lord Alverstone was bribed, or tina
he made any sacrifice of opinion whe
he voted with the American commits
sioners. He is one Of the mos
eminent men on the British bench
and has a reputation for honesty an
ability that Is worldwide. But be
fore he was appointed there was .
uuiet search for some eminent Englis
jurist who, after voluntary investge
ton, had made up his mind that tn
American contention was well found
ed. Such a man was Lord Aversion
Britain, because that country was wi
ling to settle the boundary dispute til
American way.
If there should be a war betwee
Russia and the United States, ~Gres
Britain would be our logical ally; IL
deed, she would be our only one, Il
the other great powers of Europe, II
various reasons, would not interior
Germany Is too close to Russia, an
France is her ally, and at best the:
powers would be neutral; while soutl
ern Europe has never cared for OF
friendship. Single-handed in such
contest, our power would be taxed
the utmost. but with British help "
ought to win. This help would
Forthcoming the more readily becau.
the interests of the two countries
the far east are identical.
w. w. Jermane.