The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-08

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and in later years the Persian Cult, only
In each instance to abandon temporarily
tho tentative effort. rather than incur
the hostility Of England or concerted l'tts
p9 2'Hn1 y, nxoo,,ont ,,eve,onnent q or ST.
berian territory cuminntn II the con
strtlctionl Of the Siberian Railway,
bore ever this 9,itiet e
could not suffice. being both &1hnc i
aud ice-bound for months IN each wear.
rcor. ayfn ths north W
route across part Of Mnnchurla. To OF
tain permission from China for, this Ia. lat
ter way. Russia npp,,esd Ie lono.s ap 10
Ing thus ehgaGed IN ISL the eon'neneedi
China. .SISss@ 4 I. n. !, B.
lnstru11lcntality OF the United States. and \
with awakening had come nm5ltlon.I1Ih la
new hat she NEEDED IN oHI rs
obtainnble only on the continent Of Asia.
"A footliold4upon the mainland being de-
slrable, she5 cast eyes OF LONGING 9u t,,9
oughlX$rcorganized army and navy alike
war against China, in which,. owing to
the total Gnpreparedn Is Of the later, sfe
iI1 ere was the first clash with Russia. q
For, when Japan sought to grasp Z, Inc ne
to content herself with Formosn and an
indemnity Russia's was the hand tha a
nterposed, though intervention OstenslDiy
B 5si";iS from several Q me povsrs CO..
Compelled to rcllnoush Il foothold won
upon the mainland by force 81. &, arms 1s
ierPness Sc de4eat ans deep
the heart OF tho nation. Hatred was In
tense. Tor tho Bear; whose o q ,str
paw the @na so s9ng gnr
NotSonly did Russia thwarta pan. hut
as the friend OF China secured fo1' her
self treaty permitting t9 construction
N1anchuria. obtaining. also the right TO
employ her troops in the construction
n6 Step a1a Pc
quired, thus 531realizing the long cherished
project OF q horbor by the sea; Japan
forced to- retreat has seen Ru sSs stead
dor there ranklcd in her breast q sore
that war alone could heal.
Yet anot her from n f t5 Pasr
! obtained Port Arthur to be thoroughly
ete5 vt FURRY eaS
Railway Leave was: accordingly pro-
| cured to build a branchsfrom Hardin. IN
Alanchuria, to Port.Arthur,--with a spur
IT, Pekin An occasion for The theni introduc-
[ THUS matters stood In 1900. year Of the
Boxer. Insurrection IN northern. China.
when Russia seized the opportunity 70
plea Of military necessity These, despite
tho protests OF the powers. and Russia's
promise to withdraw. remain IN Manchu-
From that time to the present war. with
Japan has been inevttable-recognized and
! prepared for by the statesmen OF both ma
slon-a policy impossible to pursue in the
face of Russia's aver increasing encroach-
ments. TO this end events have steadily
each country has FASTENED pr,eparatiooins
on land and sea. The conclusion OF the
defense treaty between England and ia
4 pan, whereby the latter is assured. IN
consideration Of her attempt to check
! Russian aggression, Of immunity$for her
territory from violation. even IN event of
and doubtless accelerated the movement
4 for war, In no wise. retarded by Russia,
who. with the completion OF the Trans
i Siberian Railway. felt herself ready for
With equal alacrltys a pretext was ,ern-
rloyed for resort to arms. Its immealaie
4 ent crisis was precipitated BY Japan''s
diplomatic inquiries addressed to Russia
concerning the latter's policy In. Mnnchu y :
( tie bone Of contention, was content to
i play the waiting game. permitting japan
i to become automatically the aggressor.
i trusting thereby doubtless to- strengthen
her position In the court Of nations, The
Immediate excuse for Japan's inquiry was
tho alleged aggrcsslv We ton Of the Rus
\ SLAMS on the Korean side of, the Yalu
4 River, which bounds Korea ana MaEchu.
Il fria. Doubtless another excuse, would have
4 been found to serve as Well 10 elicit
4 II statement Of Russia's Intentions was the
Through tho haze OF diplomatlc CORE
spondence appears quite clearly Russas
answer. Sho wilnotsstir from Manchu-
ria nor will she concede Jnran's right
y to inquire concerning her conduct tnere'
x Plainly stated, It's none of Japan's bus
mess. She advances, moreover. her pre-
e tensions to Il sphere Of influence IN
Korea, Z,
S This is then the issue: Russia will hole
y all she has In Manchura, and places hel
+ hand upon Korea as wei. koren, &c, 20,
4 wards which Japan herself casts enylout
eyes-which, though once compelled 4
abandon, she yet steadfastly purposes .
occupy! \,
TITS thus seeming, clash Tor the ;desti
nies OF two natlons-!nevitnble, TO be q
best but evaded for the time by d!pio
beginning of the destined struggle hetweel
the East and West to decide finally
: which shall dominate in that part OF tn
earth"
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