The Grit-advocate., 1904-01-22
The Real Struqole.

ne l.oHuoH correspondent OF lHc
New York Herald sends the following:
All the civilized world realizes that
underlying the diplomatic fencing
bout is far greater matter than the
mere safeguarding of Russian inter
ests in Corea or of Japanese interests
in Manchuria. II is the universal rec
ognitiOn of this fact that makes every
nation On earth follow the struggle
with brca.hless attention. All feel
instiEctiyely that Japan is but the
supcrnrmerary in the drama. All d.
vine that behind the scenes stands
far greater actor stands the real pro-
tagonist. awaiting the right moment to
step into the center of the stage.
No doubts exist as to the identity
of that actor. 1t is England. The
real issue. in fact. is not shall Russia
or Japan dominate Corea. but this
one: Shall England or Russia rule
supreme in the far east?
Great Britains policy of diplomatic
opposition to Russian development
has failed. and the time has come,
apparently. when more energetic
means are to be lrleu.
This decision upon the part of Eng
land can cause no surprise to any one
who has watched the steady advance
Paciticwards Of Russia and the cXten-
sion of her influence in the far east.
Little more remains for her to ac-
complish before she can enter upon
the work of realizing her ambition 10
predomnate in China-an ambition
which England also nourishes. One
or the other must fail There is not
room for both.
Once that step is successfully taken
the absorption Of Corea within Rus
sia's sphere of control. and she has
Won the game. Her position is i'm
pregnabe. Pchn is under her thumb
and the whole Of China lies at her
mercy.
What effective opposition could
E.r gland bring to bear against the
designs upon the Chinese empire Of
a power firmly established in Corea,
controlling Manchuria, in possession
of lines of communication that drain
an immensely rich 'cNpansc of terri.
tory with unlimited resources to hand
in the shape OF a hardy. frugal, war
like population to aid with the pres
tige of victory that is an irresisti.
bic moral force with all Asiatics.
England could do nothing. II is
her realization of the fact that makes
one fear for the maintenance OF peace.
The success of Russia in the diplo-
matte negotiations now pending
means more than triumph over Japan.
1t means irremcdiable dereat Of Brit.
ish aspiration in the far cast.
When this fact is recognized it be
comes easy - account for the provo
cative tone of the English press.
which is in such cnriously pronounced
contrast to the correct attitude of
the British government. Ii becomes
easy to explain the hints that Great
Britain canCCt aud will not allow her
ally. Japan. to be crushed.
Either the quarrel is JaDans or It
is Ergland's. u it is Japans and
she chooses TO 30 to war TO settle the
matter why should she rot b.
crushed" if Russia is more powerful?
TIE fact is, England has far more at
stake than Japan. Either the terri
torill expansion OF Russia must be
arrested definitely or EnGand's aspira
tons after commercial supremacy in
the far east must remain an unfulllicd
dream.
Under the guse Of Russo.Jap-
aucse dispute, in short. the lion and
the bear are preparing to grapple in
a life or death struggle. and it is the
dim perception of this that forces the
world to follow the preliminary phases
OF the duo! with such passionate il
tcrest.
Say l2-5 W.Il Sweep Seas.