The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-07
MR.. MACAULEY
A TRUE PROPHET
HE PREDICTED THE PRESENT
RUSsO-JAPANEsE WAR.
On Oct. 16, 1897, He Said 1t Would
Come In About Six Years-Former
MinneapoHtan, Now Leading Fig
ure in Japan, and the Interview He
Gave "The Journap Over Six
Years Ago.

On Oct. 16, 1897, more than SIX
years ago, T lie jour- printed
MacCauley. an American resident Of
Japan we'll known in Minneapolis
from his former residence here. Mr..
McCauley was the leading representa-
tive of the Unitarian church in japan
and president of the "Senshtn Ga
learning. AS showing how thoroly he
was in touch with the oriental situa-
ton, it is now pointed out by reader
Of T h e ] o u a that Mr.. Mac
Cauley six and a half years ago pre-
dicted war between japan and Russia
within six years. The war has come
few months later than was then pro-
phesied. Mr.. MacCauley's interview
makes good reading even at this time
as the following extract will show:
What Russia 10 After.
You inquire o. me concerning the re-
lations Of Russia and Japan. All the en-
Of its foreign relations is chiefly absorbed
in maintaining the unity Of the empire
and it's dignity against Russia. Russia
has become the dominant power Of Eu-
rope, and her movements are OF more In
terest to the world than those Of any
other one power.
The proper development Of the Russian
empire demands two outlets, which as
yet have not been secured. One south
ward thru the Mediterranean, the other
eastward into the Pacific ocean. The
three outlets from Asia into the Pacific,
north Of China, are three narrow straits
| controlled by the Islands of Japan, and one
harbor possessed by Russia on the east
ern Asiatic coast, is closed by ice nearly
half the year. Two things, therefore, in
Asia Russian development requires, one a
harbor open turnout the year, and the
other safe access into the Pacific. unhind-
cred by any antagonizing power. The
open harbor is comparatively easy to get.
It will be taken by Russia from Korea.
Or southern Manchuria. But If Japan
becomes very much stronger than she is
now she can dictate to Russia as to how
Russia shall pass into the Pacific ocean
almost as readily as the powers holding
ConstantinopIe control Russian commerce
southwark at that point.
| It is of the highest interest to Russia
therefore, that Japan shall not become toe
strong. This fact perhaps is clearer than
almost anything else to the Japanese gov
eminent. They are determined to become
a world power, and the Russians are de-
termined that their way into the Pacific
shall be free This is to be the source, ir
all likelihood, of the next great struggle
which Japan is to have. Each country is
bending all Its strength to obtain the
mastery of the situation.
Korea IL the Key.
In this, more than in any other reason
Is to be found the secret Of the extra
ordinary efforts Japan Is now making tt
develop its navy and perfect it's army
The great Trans Siberian railway will b.
finished in about six years. With the com
pletion OF that road the Russian army car
be safely transferred from Europe to tn,
Asiatic coast. With the completion o
that road the Japanese feel that grea
crisis in the development of their ow,
country will come. How the struggle will
mature no one can tell. But the pac
Of special irritation lies in the contro
Of that miserable kingdom Of Korea an,
the special humiliation the Japanese fee
at the present time arises from the fac
that the Russians have secured the uppe
, hand In the management of Korea Yo
know that after the Chinese war the Jap
anese took upon themselves the direction
OF Korean affairs, but that thru the mis-
takes or incompetency of some of thei
: officials such internal disturbances wer
: aroused as gave Russia a show Of RICH
J for interference.
The first result Of that interference wa
an agreement for a joint control of tn
country. But after the usual Russian wa
. Of doing things Japan, which once had tn
. entire management, has now been com