The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-12-21
JAPAN HAS LOST
AN OPPORTUNITY
RUSSIA is TOO FAR ALONG IN
NIANCHURIA ALREADY.
The Notifications at Port Arthur and
the Siberian Railway the Factors
Manchuria Is Already a Russian
Colony and So Governed.
J,ondon Ma,l

When Russia first put her foot upon
Manchurian soil, shortly after Japan
the eyes Of the world were turned to
the orient. Since that time many
changes have taken place.
Manchuria Is no longer an integral
part Of China. 1t is a Russian colony
with a. Russian viceroy at its head.
and the question Of its systematized
administration is only a question Of
time. Indeed. over three years ago
when was in Manchuria the officials,
supposed to represent the Son Of
Heaven" were nothing more than q lot
of marionettes dancing in helpless re-
spouse to Russia's pulls.
At that time, had Japan taken up q
determined policy, there would have
still been hopes other being, what she
should be by her geographical posi-
ton, the predomtnating power; in the
far east. She, however. let her op-
portun1ty go by, and now, even II she
could obtain the ascendency, the task
The Great Siberian railway is no long
err a dream, but an accomplished fact,
thru the agency Of which many legions
have poured into Manchuria. There
are to-day over 1000 men in Man
churia, and more are arriving all the
time.
Observation-Disclosures.
Port Arthur, bristling with guns,
and manned with material which has
immortalized Eylau, frowns defiance
at the world, and no one has yet &C
cepted the challenge. Since the Box
er outrages this stronghold has been
improved in many respects. All the
machinery Of Pei Yang arsenal, near
Tientsin, captured by the allies in 1900,
has been added to Its already splendid
workshops; the basin of it's harbor
has been deepened SO that ships Of all
sizes can navigate it with ease; large
stores of all kinds have been stacked
in readiness for emergency; new bar
racks have been built; new guns have
been mounted; new ramparts con-
structed; and, in fact, nothing has
been left undone to make 1T what
nature has destined it to be, one Of the
worlds strongest Notifications I'M
pregnable from all points. a. safe
refuge for ships under all circum-
stances, Port Arthur would be the
most important base Of supplies to the
Russian army in Lao Tung in time Of
war.
Russia's attitude is one of increas-
| ing confidence in herself. Long ere
| this, had the treaty between the island
empires Of the east and west been one
of more substantial value, her move
ments would have meant war. IT the
taking of Manchuria is not the de-
struction of the integrity of the Chi
neses empire, what is it? But 1t Is
| becoming more and more evident that
the famous Anglo-Japanese alliance
was calculated to have stronger
moral effect upon the, northern Co
lossus than it has proved to have, and
she marches on In her bloodless CON
quest from the occident to the orient
The next move has already been
made. Russia has her foot upon Ko-
rea. At Yongampho (Roongipu), on
! the south bank Of the Yalu river, she
has built fort. Rumor now has II
that it is a signal station. But what
is signal station at this particular
point for? What does Russia wish tc
signal? She wishes to signal to the
to be a part Of the vast expanse OF
territory at the head Of which rules
the Great White Gar" tcs
The Dim Future.
The question upon all lips at the
present moment is, What is Japa1
going to do?' The Russian minister
has informed the Waiwupu (board Of
foreign affairs) that Manchuria vii
not be evacuated. AS a counter-strOke
Japan informs China that she will also
take territory. But what about Ko
rea, the land whose independence cos
80 many Japanese lives? Is Russia
again to reap the harvest? These arr
questions which are doubtless puz
zling every one at home just as mucl
as they are the residents on the Chin;
coast. Everybody speaks of war; no
body knows anything definitely.
Is remarkable how little leaks out. II
Japan the people are eager for tn
test, which they consider inevitable
hut the government assures them tim
and again that there Is nothing seri
Gus in the situation. There is no doub
that the latest movements-tha
Lloyd's refuses to insure Japanese YES
sells at usual rates; that no Japanes
gunboat is to winter at Newchwang
that Japan has ordered large consign
ments Of Cardiff steam coal; that tn
Russian fleet in the far east is bein
reinforced; that the families Of Rus
sian officers are requested not to com
Ito Port Arthur yet-are all disquiet
Ing; but that is all. One thing, how
evsr, Is certain-that is, Russia vii
not be the first to declare wary It
evident that the more time she ha
, the more prepared she will be to re
ceive an invading army; while O.
other hand, the longer Japan wait
tho more difficult it will be for her
dislodge her foe on the mainland.