The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-02-28
the river from Portland and any other statement re
garding the matter is deliberate falsehood
RuSsIA's COMPLAINT.

The Russian government has addressed to the
powers diplomatic note impeaching Japan for vio
atng international law The serious charge is for
violating the neutrality of Corea' by landing troops
in that empire. Unless Japan can make such use of
Corea she would have no land base for her military
operations The complaint, the Call thinks, comes
with bad grace from Russia after violating the neu
traity of China by occupying Manchura as her land
base, and erecting ON Chinese soil military camps
and Notifications during the time in which She
agreed with the western nations to prepare for evac
uating Manchuria. Last year she promised the
United States to observe her agreement to evaeuate
on October 8. But that date found her increasing
her forces ON Chinese soil and busy usurping the
civil administration of Manchura, against the pro-
tests of China and the violation of her word to the
allies in the Boxer war;
1t is said that France sympathizes with Russia
her view of the case. This is probably play in the
game going on between France and Germany to
court the favor of Russia. II Germany insnuates
herself into thetplace held by France as an ally
of Russia, France will be isolated on the continent
But it must be remembered that England and Japan
are Joined in the same form of alliance as that be-
tween France and Russia, and if France should 90
50 far as to give aid automatically to the czar
England may be expected to go just as far with the
Mikado
The rest of Russia complaint runs to Japan act
of war at Port Arthur in advance of formal dec
laration 1t is not the first time that has occurred
We did it in the Mexican war, and had an action at
in odx nf H.,
gress 1t may be said, too that every day that Rus
sian troops remained in Manchura after the date
agreed upon for evacuation was an act of war Such
continued occupancy is understood by every govern
ment to have been warhke menace, directed against
the independence and existence of Japan.
Russia's note is published concurrently with a
boast that she will wipe out the japanese armies next
August. If she expects that in such an event she
will also have permission to do as she pleases with
Japan she is probably mistaken, for it is incon-
ceivabe that the world will consent to her ABSORPTION
of that empire There is no intention anywhere to
permit Russia to become the dominating power of
the planet, as she would be with Japan China and
Corea> absorbed into her system In this the United
States is equally interested with other western ma
oHS Sucu eA ApdiiSOI OI huSSldH power WOULD pfdc-
tcally drive us out of the Pacific, and while it is
not probable that we would make war in the matter,
it is probable that would join concert of such
western nations desire to preserve just balance
in the worlds trade, and preevnt the spread of the
execrabe scheme of government represented in the
Russian policy.
We stand at present on Secretary Hay s note. en-
forcing respect for the neutrality and territorial in
tegrity of China 1t is most important action, and
makes foundation for future action in protection
of our interests in the Pacific and in the trade of
China.
American public opinion and view of the morals
of the eastern conflict exactly uttered in the many
pulpits in this country in which the subject has
been discussed In not a single case has the Russian
side met with any favor The superior civilization
of Japan is recognized as it should be, and the su
peror system of her governmenahas not escaped en-
dOrsement. Japan has a high degree Of popular
government, with parliamentary institutions and
perfect system of Jurisprudence founded on the com
mon law. Americans will not see there institutions
submerged in the brutal autocracy of Russia
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