The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-06-01
A VICTORY FOR JAPAN
ITS SUPREMACY IN EAST PREFER-
 ABLE TO THAT OF RUSSIA.
This Ia Decision of Judges After Lfs- tenfng to Debate of University Stu- dents--Board of Trustees
 Holds a Meeting.

|
 University, May s1.--(Special )--The annual debate between representatives of the Philomathic and Erosophic Lit erary Societies took place this morning at 10 o'clock in Clark Hall. in the presence of a good audience. All Of ! the speeches showed careful study and preparation The subject Of the de- bate was: Resolved, That Japanese supremacy in the far East would ad- vance civilization more than Russian supremacy. Affirmative, Moses Kohn and John Wesley Vardaman of the Erosophic Society; negative, Aubrey Boyles and Ernest Scott McGlathery of | the Philomathic Society.
 In the opening speech Mir Kohn com pared the two nations with respect to | allowing freedom in commerce. prog ress in internal affairs and in religion Japan has always stood for the open port, while Russia has been the fore I most exponent of the closed door. Ja- pan has made great forward strides since Its opening to the effects of civ ilization, while Russia has made very little. He spoke of the impossibility of the yellow perif' and argued that Japans victory would even be the best thing that could happen to Russia her self
 MT Boyies, the first speaker for the negative, stated that Russia's influence on civilization would be more beneficial than that of Japan on account Of her superiority in the three most essential clements that generate in a nation the power to produce 1t. First, in litera- ture, where all that Is best of na- tion's thought Is crystalised and where mental development is best | shown, Russia is superior to Japan. | Second, she excels in the moral status | of her society and in the moral charac- ter of her people. In the third place. | the Christian faith, which animates her to efforts in civilization's cause is en- | tirely lacking in Japan, where no God | Is recognized, no divine law and faith shown.
 Mir Boyles was followed by Mir. Var daman, who spoke in favor of the proposition. MT. Vardaman said In part that Russia still holds to medi . | aeval forms of government, while Ja- pan has adopted modern ideas. Russia shuts herself out from other countries, while Japan stands for free intercourse with all nations. The Japanese, being | more closely related to the Chinese. would be more instrumental in im- proving their condition. Russia is on- ly seeking territory, and her past rec | ord proves that her power of advance ing the cause of civilization Is small. | Russia would not only shut out the commerce of other nations from Japan. but she would keep the inhabitants in an oppressed condition, as she does her own peasants. Japan's liberal policy | towards all powers would develop a wonderful trade and place China on the road towards a higher develop ment Russia's supremacy would dis | turb the balance of power, and make possible a Russo-Chinese peril.
 Mir. McGIathery closed the argument | for the negative. He showed that Russia's progress is original, her de- velopment grows out of her native ability. Japan's progress is wholly im- | itative, 1t is closely copied from Eng land and America.
 Russia belongs to the white race, which has always been the leader in civilization. Japan belongs to race whose distinctive form of civilization was developed more than two thousand years ago.
 Japan has thrown all her energies i'm to@her army and navy. No other nation
 has put so large a proportion of its wealth into machines of death. Rus sia's expansion into Siberia and Tur-
 kestan has been of great benefit to them, uplifting them. developing their natural resources and establishing law
 and order. She has carried civilization
 to Manchuria, having spent $30o.00o. 900
 there in this work. While her pres ence there Nhas brought a wonderful improvement. Japan's presence in Ko-
 req and Formosa has not advanced civ ilization or commerce.
 Russia vs. Japan Is Christianity vs. Buddism and Schintoism, 1t Is the white race vs. the yellow race.
 The judges, who were Rev. A F. Carr, Gen. W. W. Brandon and Hon. H. T Davis, rendered their decision in
 favor of the affirmative. and another
 Japanese victory was scored
 The Board of Trustees of the Univer- sity met yesterday afternoon at 2
 o'clock with Governor Cunningham in
 the chair. Those present were Super
 intendent I. w. Hill. Hon. J. E. Webb
 of Birmingham, Judge T. w. Coleman
 of Eutaw. Hons Hubert T Davis of Gadsden. M. P. LeGrand of Montgom-
 cry. J. H. Johnson of Talladega, T. NJ Stevens of Mobile, T. N. Mcclellan ot Athens, Daniel Pratt of Prattville and
 H B. Foster of Tuscaloosa. The after
 noon was spent in listening to the Presidents report and to various pc
 titions, all of which were referred to l appropriate committees to be acted
 upon today The Board met this morn ing at o'clock and listened to dis