The Savannah morning news., 1904-02-07
THE PROSPECT is FOR WAR.

II the interview with the Japa-
nese minister in London, published in
our dispatches yesterday. is authentic,
and there doesn't seem to be any rea-
son to doubt that it is, it is practi
cally certain that there will be war
between Russia and Japan. The min
lister is quoted as saying that Japan
win attack Russia unless the latter
signs a treaty recognizing China's
rights in Manchuria. 1t is about GER
tain that Russia will refuse to sign a
treaty of that kind.
And yet it hasn't been so very long
since she recognized Chinas rights in
Manchuria. She recognized them
when she made no objection to the
commercial treaty between the United
States and China by which the latter
opened two additional Manchuria ports
to commerce. She is reported to have
said then that Manchuria was prov
ince of China and therefore China had
a right to make the treaty without
consulting her.
STILL Japan knows and all the rest
of the world knows that it is Russia's
purpose to remain in Manchuria-in
fact. to take possession Of it in the
course of time. China is too weak
to resist Russia's aggressive policy.
She protests, but her protests are UNI
needed. She knows also that it is
Russia's policy to eventually absorb
the whole of China. She views with
fear and trembling Russia's conduct
with regard to Manchuria, but she
doesn't dare to make firm stand for
her rights.
While it is true that, though Rus
STA, at the time of the treaty between
China and the United States was rat
flied, the ratification having occurred
only a few weeks ago, seemed to he
willing to admit that Manchuria was
Chinese territory, her newspapers are
now saying unpleasant things about
the United States on account of that
treaty. These newspapers express the
opinion that the United States are
backing up Japan in the course the
latter is pursuing. They do not hes
itate to say that if it were not for en-
enlargement from the United States
Japan would not dare to take the
stand she does.
OF course this is a mistaken view.
The United States are holding out to
Japan no hope of assistance in the
event of war between her and Russia.
In securing a treaty with China for
the opening of ports in Manchuria
they were only looking out for their
own interests. Russia will respect
this treaty, at least for the present,
and our consuls are on the way to the
ports to be opened to take care of
American interests there.
But il there should be war between
Russia and Japan and Russia should
be successful, how long would Russia
respect our interests in Manchuria, the
interests which we acquired under the
treaty with China? The chances are
that she wouldn't respect them any
longer than she was compelled to. She
wants all of the trade Of Manchuria
herself.
Japan, therefore, - NiIludilS pISPdi-
ing to fight with Russia the battle of
this and other commercial countries.
She will not accept Russia's promises
| because she knows from experience
that they cannot be depended upon.
A thing that makes Japan more ag-
gressive than she would otherwise be
is the belief that if she goes to war
with Russia she will not be left to
fight her battle alone. She has some
ground for this belief. 1t is almost
certain that in the event of war be-
tween the two powers other nations
will be drawn into 1t.