The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-17

corrse, some time must elapse before Ja- pan can complete her work of reorran- fsing the army and the civil administra- ton of the Celestial empire. and she had everything to gain by delaying as long as possible any conflict with Russia, since each month that passed served to increase the efficiency and importance of China as an ally.
 It fs. perhaps. the knowledge of this that has led Russia to cast aside the mask and to precipitate events by vir- tually finging the fragments of her last years treaty pledgfng herself to with drew from Manchuria, into the face of the powers. It may be taken for granted that she realizes that in as much as an armed struggle with Japan concernins Manchuria and Corea, is inevitable. it is best to bring matters to crisis at once, instead of waiting until the China-Japa- nese coalition has had time to develop its enormous and incaiculable latent strength.
 Of course, It is just possible that Rus sia may prefer to modify her demands upon the Pekin government rather than face war with China and Japan, which would entail the expenditure of a vast amount of blood and treasure, and throw back for many years her economic devel-
 
 Japan. however. will consent to any com promise short of the complete evacuation of Manchurfa by Russia, Is far less prob- able. For years she has been preparing tor war with Russia. realizing that with the latter in possession of Manchuria and In control of Corea, not merely her ex- tensive trade in Northern China, but her very Independence and existence as an island empire. are menaced. Every Jap anese man. woman and child looks upon Russia as the enemy who win have to be fought to finish sooner or later, and there is no doubt that at the present mo- nientsa war with Russia would be im- naenseiy popular with the entire Japanese nation. whose pride would moreover be gratihed by the knowledge that it has the good will and the moral support of the United States and Great Britain, and that it is championing the cause of freedom Of the worlds trade in Northern China against Russia's regime of military des- potism and commercial exclusion.
 There are two points which 1t is neces- sary to bear in mind in connection with this crisis in the far Orient. The one is that according to the terms of the much discussed and extensively niisconstrued al- liance between Japan and England. the latter Is under no obligations to take ur AELflb III DGuAtk OL nGF OFlC1tAt ADoOCtdtoA unless the latter finds herself confronted by two hostile powers. The other point to which would call attention is the fact that far too much importance has been accorded in this country to the pro fessions of Russia's friendship for the United States. A widespread impression seems to prevail on this side of the Att lantici that rather than forfeit American good will and sympathy Russia would be ready to make any concession, even to the extent of sacrificing the possession of Manchuria. This, fear. will be found to be mistake. Russia is not prepared to pay bo high price for American friendship.
 With regard to the yiruient abuse that has been lavished upon Russia within the last few days by the American press, in connection with what is termed ''her dis regard of her solemn treaty engage- ments," 1t is only fair to point out that while Russia enjoys an unenyiable pre- eminence for her cynical disregard of her international obligations, there are few great powers thst have not been guilty of similar offenses in this respect. In fact. experfence goes to show that treaties are only made to be broken, and that, as a general rule, they are adhered to just so long as it is to the interest of the nations who are parties to the agreement to do so. And inasmuch as the rupture of treaties is frequently accepted as casts belii. they may be considered on the whole as con ducive rather to war than to peace.