Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1904-01-08
Friday, January 8, 1904.
WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND Japan.

frludy, JANUARY - '0"
WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND Japan.
There is very dark war cloud In
the far east. Russia and Japan are
about to grapple with each other IN
deadly embrace. The question ls
often asked what can Japan do Win
Russlae Why is she SO foolish as TO
20 to war with that great nation mad
she better not lose Korea, and all IL
might mean to her, than to undertake
30 suicidal policy as war? VIII IL
not be another case OF the Boers
against the English ? Taking the size
OF the two countries this would seem
to be the case. Japan Is a small coun-
try when compared with Russia, In
fact most countries are. Japan few
years ago had a war with China.
Japan is a small country as compared
with China, but almost before China
knew what was taking place, Japan
had her down and would have admin
istered terrible chastising had not
Russia stepped in and stopped the
melee. In the present anticipated war
Russia with all her apparent strength
has not 80 great an advantage over
Japan. In the first place Japan
navy is not inferior to that Of Russia. |
Japan, too, has had her fleet in actual
battle. She destroyed the Chinese
navy a few years ago, and that in pref
ty short order. Her knowledge OF
actual naval warfare is therefore
greater than that of Russia. Again.
Russia is long ways fron home when
she is floating her vessels about the
ports of Korea or Japan. Japan. on
the other hand, is right at her base.
Should Russia's navy be defeated all
military supplies would have to reach
Manchurla, which is the country Rus.
STA is trying to seize and hold, by way
of the Siberian Railway. Should
China send her army into Manchuria
and attempt to cut this line, as she
would certainly attempt to do, Russia
would be put into great straits and the
Russian army. If defeated by the JAP
anese in Manchuria, would 6nd it next
to impossible to reinforce themselves.
The Japanese being SO near home,
and the Russians so far from home,
places the two countries on very neal
the same plane as to strength. Japan
has this further advantage, both Eng
land and the United States are friendly
to her. 1t is not certain that either
will lend aid as a nation, but it is Ger
tain that great aid will be given Japan
by the individuals of each nation, and
il forced to the part of taking sides
both nations will side with japan
japan. however, must not count
much on help from other nations.
Nations are slow generally to be
drawn into the quarrels of others, and
when two countries 60 to war they
should do so on their own responsible
ity, and rely on their own resources.
There is no country of the first mag.
nitude on earth that is SO distastefu
generally to other nations as Russia
certainly none so much SO to England
or the United States. She is well
named. She is called the Bear, and
her whole conduct savors of that
beast. The Lion is bold. fierce and
magnanimous. The Tiger is stealthy,
strong and courageous. The Bear IL
british, savage and Unsuitable. he
is not the most warlike, the most saw
age, nor the most dreaded, but he is
ever moving, he seems not to be look.
ing ahead, but ever pushes onward
and his nav seems never full.
We have no dealings with Russia.
She has no dealings with anyone. No
stranger can enter her borders without
passport, and he is then followed and
spied upon as If be were felon. She
has shut herself in and the world out,
and the political problems of her rulers
and her statesmen are a sealed book.
Aggression is her only apparent de.
sign. To rule the world not by con.
quest, but by picking her foot up al
one place and setting it down at an
other, seems to be the guiding star Of
her imperial flight. Her educational
advantages seem to be intended only
for those of high birth, whilst her low
born people are held in the profound
est ignorance. Religious fanatacism
Is rampant, and the massacre of Jews
seems high and holy thing. Those
in high places may possess a kindly
nature, but with the masses there is {
savagery next to that of wild beasts
The Tartar and the Cossack, in fact
the whole muscovite people. are al
pitiless as the wolf, and since they
butchered defenseless Frenchmen OF
their retreat from Moscow they have
not softeued, but today can ccmmi
acts of cruelty without parallel upor
the face of the civilized globe.
There is no reason-social, moral
political, or of q business nature tina
holds us, or draws as to Russia. He
portals are shut to US, never to b.
opened. Her people from teaching ant
and tradition will prevent intercourse
with US for centuries to come. w
cannot know them, we cannot trad
with them, we cannot become friends
On the other hand Japan is now GU
neighbor. Her people are willing an
anxious to learn our methods and GU
civilization, and be upon the mos
friendly relations with us. They offe
as safe harbor, they invite us to e.
change products, they buy from u