Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-09

the Chinese to hostilities and punish
them by taking another large slice
of Chinese territory, virtually threat
ening to achieve by bold stroke that
which is believed to be the ultimate
aim Of Russian advance TO the east
ward-Cossack domination of the en-
tire Chinese empire and all of east
Asia-is another and a remote Ques-
tion. That would present a problem
not for the United States alone but
for the whole civilized world. Be-
fore that could be consummated there
would be congress OF nations, and
Russia would have to gain the assent
of the great powers. The voice of
the United States would unquestion-
ably be heard in unison with that of
Great Britain. Germany, and, prob
ably France and the minor nations,
in unalterable opposition TO any rev.
olution threatening so vast a change
in the balance of power and In the
economic future OF the world
In such a contingency as this, IL
Russia could gain enough physical
support TO give her the courage to
persist, there might come a great
general war in which the United
States would be compelled to bear
part as the power most vitally inter
csled in the future OF the Pacific
ocean and its borderlands But this
is so improbable and remote that it
Is not at this time worthy of prac-
lical consideration. II il ever comes
it will be generations hence. in all
probability. Military and naval ex.
perts here do not believe Russia can
conquer little Japan, let alone tack
ling United States and Great Britain
and Germany. The prevalent belief in
Washington is that in the present war
that neither side can whip the other:
that there will be battles on land and
on sea in the course OF which Japan
will probably gain the mastery of the
ocean. but find herself unable to do
anything more than inflict losses on
her enemy on the land; that after a
few months OF fighting. with varying
fortunes, both governments will find
themselves confronted with bankrup-
tcy and with the certainty that neith-
er can force the other to acknowledge
defeat, and that sooner or later both
sides will welcome mediation-a set
tlement. not through the compelling
power of the flaming and victorious
sword. but through the interposition OF
the public opinion of the world ex-
pressed perhaps in congress OF the
nations similar to the historic con-
gress OF Berlin.
Against the coming hour of settle.
ment. be II soon or be II late, the
United States has sought with sue
cess to lay down a principle for the
guidance of the world. This princi-
pie. which has the support Of all the
powers, Is that under no considera-
ton or pretext shall China be dis
membered. Thus the genius of Secre-
tary Hay and the moral force Of the
United States have, together. rallied
the public opinion OF the world as d
sort of generally unwritten insurance
policy that the one contingency which
might bring on general war, involving
this country is not to be permitted TO
arise. Those who fear that our diplo-
matte policy brings danger of war
should know that actually 1t makes It
for peace. Russia anc Japan may
fight as long as they can find the
money TO carry on the military oper-
ations. The best informed men here
believe that will be matter of some
months only certainly not more than
a year. In the end the world will
have to step in and administer upon
their damaged If not bankrupt estat.
es. and the central principle which is
10 govern that administration has al
ready been laid down and assented
10 so generally that there is not one
chance in thousand of its being vio-
lated by the victorious power. should
one Of the combatants gain a signal
victory. Hence the danger that the
United States may be involved in the
end is almost nil. And 1t is believ-
ed here by men whose sources of in
formation and judgment are of the
best that no other nation will he IA.
yolved.