Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-10-15
RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

The toIte of the editorial utterances OF
the Russian and the japanese press suf-
ficiently indicates the belligerent dispo
sition of both nations. Russian jour
nails declare that Manchuria has been
sealed with Russian blood" and must
not and shall not again be surrendered
to Chinese maladministration or left to
be prey to japanese ambition. Japan,
if it is bent on building up a scattered
empire on the British plan, is at liberty
to turn to Australasia and other quar-
ters. Why insist upon meddling with
territory over which the Russian colors
have long been hoisted2
japanese journals on the other hand,
aver that Russia is breaking her treaty
pledges, that her attitude is uniformly
arbitrary and aggressive and that the pa
thence of the Japanese people has reach
ed the extreme limit and can be taxed
no further.
The present difficulties date from the
war between China and Japan. which
first awakened the world to the militia
ry and naval efficiency of Japan and ex-
posed the helplessness of China. The
odds against Japan seemed oyerwhelm-
ing. but through the superior skill and
discipline Of her forces she easily defeat
ed China in every naval or land engage
ment. The war was occasioned by a
dispute about Corea. and while japan
was debating terms to China, she was
notified by Russia, Germany and France
that she would not be allowed to hold
Port Arthur, which she had cap
tured. Japan had to bow to superior
force and has had the modification oi
seeing Russia take Port Arthur and
from that position OF control extend do
minion over the whole province Of
Manchuria- Nothing is more certain
than that Russia does not intend to
abandon Manchuria, and unless check
ed, her advance into Korea is simply
question of time.
Since then Japan has exerted every
effort to put herself in such position
as to compel respect for her national in
terests She Immediately went to worl
to provide herself with a modern navy
and she has excelled ever other natior
IN rapidity of progress in this direction
Her fleet now includes seven battleshlps
two armored coast defense vessels, 3
cruisers, and 95 torpedo boats of variou
kinds, with 90 other vessels in course
construction. Her military organiza
ton has also been assiduously perfect
ed, and the discipline and efficiency o
her troops, as shown during the Pekin
expedition, were revelation to Euro
pean military experts. The position Q
Japan has been, moreover, great
strengthened by the alliance with Eng
land. In case Japan is confronted b
another European coalition, England
bound by treaty to 60 to her aid, Du
a.zine, Ia England,s financial depression
due to the South African war, AM
American industrial competition. sh
may not do SO.
The principal security for peace i
Russia's comprehension Of the fact tina
time is on her side, and she can affort
to wait, meanwhile making such con
cessions as may be nesessary to ayoit
war. But, according to st. Petersburg
advices, the opinion in official circles j
that the best thing to do is to have i
out, and avoid further trouble by crush
ing Japan now. If such sentiment
prevail. war is likely to be the out
come.
The military experts appear to thinl
that Russia is too strong for Japan, AM
the disparity of the two powers in siz
and resources is SO great that for Japa
to confront Russia looks like pigm
attempting to struggle with Hercules
but the contest may not be go unequa
as it appears 1t is available strengt
that counts, and in these days Of long
range weapons superiority of number
is not necessarily an advantage. Th
uuickness, skin and resourcefulness {
the japanese, and the perfection of thei
organization. will be powerful factors
determining the result Of engagement