The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-03-02
THE UNITED STATES
IN THE ORIENT.

The most notable magazine feature
recently announced is Harold Bolce 8
discussion, in the March Booklovers
Magazine, Of America S Opportunity
in the East. The article the first OF
a series dealing with the outlook for
our nation in Korea, China, and the
entire Orient-is characterized by
breadth of view, keen observation,
and treatment at once sane and
picturesque. The admirable illustra-
tions and helpful comparisons of
routes, distance, relative areas, and
populations aresupplemented by maps
in full color.
Mr.. Bolce, who has stepped aside
from an important governmental po-
sition at Washington to become a
special staff representative of The
Booklovers Magazine, is now on the
field of action In the far east His
credentials from high officials, at
home and abroad, have given him ac-
cess to inner circles in Oriental life
and diplomacy, SO that he is certain
to furnish throughout this series in
creasingly interesting matter. This
first article bases its conclusions up
on interviews with statesmen and
leaders of commerce, not only along
the Atlantic coast before his depar-
ture, but especially on the Pacific
coast, caught on his way to Japan
and Korea. He crystallizes the wide
diversity of opinions regarding the
outcome of the conflict between Rus
STA and Japan: On the one hand the
widespread, anti-Russian sentiment
"a conviction that Russia s triumph
would inevitably mean the closing of
doors in Manchuria, and possibly In
the whole eastern world, against Am
erican commerce; on the other hand
the strong pro-Russian sentiment as
sorting that Russia Is now an en-
lightened country, manifesting a mod
ern spirit of progress = notably in
her vast railway construction and,
having shown herself always our
friend, planning more and more to
encourage reciprocal trade. In line
with this, as Mr. Bolce shows, there
are not few who mistrust Japan,
strenuously insisting that Japan has
distinct scheme for solidifying the
Mongolian race, an ambition to merge
and mobilize the millions Of China
into a military entity, whose power,
once aroused, would dwarf into in
significance any horde of conquerors
the world has ever seen; and that.
therefore, "a japanese victory over
Russia would be an international cal
amity,' an insurmountable calamity
to the free commerce of the nations
Both Of these divergent views Mr..
Bolce presents quite clearly.
Diverse as these opinions are, all,
however, agree in one thing: That
the United States is at the present
moment confronted by the greatest
opportunity and the greatest problem
III her history''-in brief, that this
is a crucial hour for the republic if
our westward course Of commercial
empire IS still to take its way Up
to this time, as Mr.. Bolce reminds us
/ in a quick survey, America s march
/ to the western sea has been unparal-
leled-the nearest approach to it In
/ recent days being Russia s march to
the eastern sea. The latest facts of
marvellous development of western
states which Mr. Bolce gives his-pis-
lures of upspringing western cities,
with their fine streets, notable build
ings, miles of wharves, and imposing
merchant fleets; his accounts of IN
dividual successes, and his showing
that there is room and a loud call
for two million more of our young
men of the right stamina on the two
Pacific coasts-all these emphasize
the necessity for broad craftsmanship
at Washington and alert action on
the part of our leaders in commerce
Surely this is an epoch-making ar
ticle
All in all the March Bookloyers
Magazine is a remarkable achieve
ment, and marks distinct advance
in modern magazine making.