Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-10-24
THE BEAR IN MANCHURIA
John Brisben Walker Discusses
:. Russo-Chinese Situation.
AN URGENT WARNING SOUNDED.

Ever Seen Now Predicted by the
Well Known Editor Who Says
That Either America and Southern
cede All Asia
John Brisben Walker, editor of the
Cosmopolitan, has contributed to the
New York Journal an article on the
Russo Chinese situation entitled "Will
Russia Rule the WorldY' Mr.. Walker
spent two years in the Chinese military
service, going from West Point mill
tary academy in 1868 at the invitation
of Mr.. Arson Burlingame, who was at
that time in the United States on his
mission around the world. Mr.. Wal
ker accompanied the Hon. Ross
Browne, who was Mr.. Burlingame's
successor as United States minister in
Peking and during his two years in
China travelled over the northern por-
ton of the empire. He had an oppor-
tunity to study the Chinese as soldiers
and to understand the geographical
problems. He is familiar with the
Manchurian and Monaghan character,
and also had an opportunity upon the
occasion of two visits to Japan to see
and admire the character of the jap
anese as soldiers.
Mr.. Walkers article follows:
We are probably on the eve of the
greatest war that the world has ever
seen. 1 am opposed to war; do not
believe in war; hope there never will
be another war. But if there can be
a Just war it is called for now. Either
America and southern Europe must
fight Russia at this time or concede to
her all of Asia.
Few people understand how insidi-
ousIy Russia has been moving her
forces up against the barriers of Per
STA, India and China. Year after year
Russian army posts have been advanc-
ed. REINFORCED, built into large COM
mands, until today Russia is ready to
attack not China alone, but along her
entire frontier line in Asia, and is prob
ably in a position to capture China,
India and even Persia unless a deter
mined front is put up by The rest of
the world.
1t is astounding the lethargy which
has been exhibited toward the occupa-
ton of Manchuria. Every one in the
least familiar with the situation has
recognized that once Russia became
intrenched in northern China, with the
Transsiberian railway completed, her
battle ships in sufficient numbers, it
would be almost impossible to dislodge
her. She came into AIanchuria deliber-
ately; she never had any intention Of
leaving it, and she is quite ready today
to begin battle.
Probably she has counted most on
the Indifference felt in the United
States regarding her occupation of
Manchuria. During a discussion with
a Russian who was visiting me several
years ago asked the question, what
part of China does Russia wantT" He
replied, Russia wants no part of Chi
ma" then added after a moment, "She
wants it all"
The Manchurians and Mongols fur
nish splendid fighting material, at least
so far as private soldiers go. They can
live on almost nothing, make long
marches sleep on the ground, obey or
ders and learn to handle firearms with
accuracy In other words, they have
soldiers.
The Russians have the officers ready
to put over them. 1t will not be nee
essary for Russia to move vast num-
bers of men from Europe. Russia is
now established, it's forts built; it's
navies are in the eastern harbors Of
Asia, the officers have arrived, and vast
quantities of stores and arms have
been shipped in. 1t only remains now
to drill the natives in order to organize
an army large enough to sweep down
on Picking and over northern China.
Whence will the force be brought to
combat the army that Russia has even
now on the ground? This is estimated
in some of the daily papers at 10000,
with another 100000 comparatively
near by in reserve. The brave little
Japanese have neither the numbers
nor the wealth to combat a nation such
as Russia. The Chinese are morgan
lied. The English will have enough
to do to defend India.
Meanwhile French, German, English
and Americans are too busy with af-
fairs to reflect that if Russia adds an
other 400,00O,0O0 to her subjects and
then with her low priced labor builds
ornaments she will be a threat to the
rest of the world. Even America, vain
as we are of our strength, might well
find occasion in the future to regret
our present Indifference.
Manchuria is but stepping stone to
China. China captured, the balance Of
power is forever determined. Napoleon
said that in hundred years the world
would be either Cossack or republican.
We have been so intent upon our own
little corner of the world that we have
failed to reflect what a Cossack world
would mean.
The Manchurian question is the most
tremendous matter before the world
today, but it is all so distant and Rus
sia is doing her will so quietly that we
n,.o lilo nhiIdror, without c-or,or,rohor.-