The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1904-02-11
RUssIAN-JAPANESE TROUBLE
What May Lead the Nations to
War.

What is the trouble in the far east
Japan is trying TO keep Russia out
OF Korea.
What is Korea and where is it Sit
uated?
Korea Is al au.ocracy under Japan
csc influence, about as large as Kansas
with a population estimated at between
5000, 900 and 1900, 90. The empire
tc,upies a peninsula ias. south OF ST.
b ria, iuttiug into the Pacific Ocean
between the Yellow sea and the Sea OF
Japan, and reaching within less than
100 miles of she southern end OF Japan.
Is Korea a rich country?
Not especially. Il Is purely agri-
cultural land and the methods OF cult.
walton are primitive. A few gold mines
are operated and there are supposed to
be deposits OF copper, iron and coal.
Why, then, does Russia want Korea.
Chiefly because Of its position. Korea
Is an extension of Manchuria, which
practically belongs to Russia. In the
natural development OF contiguous ter.
ritory Russian merchants have crossed
q, tho boundary into Korea and Russian
interests accommodating there under the
weak native government naturally look
to tie Gar for protection.
Why is Korea of strategic value to
Russia?
For two reasons. First. Russian yes.
sels must make long detour around
Korea to pass from Vladivostock, ST
IBERIA to Port Arthur, the Russian har'
Dor 10 Manchurid. In this journey
they must traverse narrow strait be-
tween Korea and Jsparc-' sand
comparable to Gibraltar. 10 irsure
free passage Russia seeks to control the
end of the Korean peninsula. Second,
when Russia begins its anticipated abb
sorp:ion of China it would be incon
v3nienced II hostile power should
have military base on the northeast
ern coast OF Asia. Therefore it desires
to annex Korea.
Why does Japan object to the Rus
sian annexation OF Korea?
Because Japan is overcrowded will
. population twelve times as denss al
that OF the United States, and it seeks
an outlet for its emigrants on thu
mainland. The island empire ha
hoped, too, To make Korea the base o
an attempt TO extend japanese infiu
ence throughout China. Furthermore
it now conducts niDe-tenths OF Korea
commerce and owns Korea's two rail
ways. Its trade and railways woult
both be threatened and probably b.
deprived of value 10 the event of Rus
sia's success. And, finally, Japan hold
that its own independence would b.
menaced we're Russia to gain the har
Dor at the west end OF the Korean pen
insula almost within cannon range o
the Japanese island fortress Of Tsus
hima
Does Japan want to annex Korea!
No. 1t Is satisfied to maintain Korea
independence aud to grant Japan Tt
southern end OF Manchuria. Russi
forced japan to give up Manchuria
seized the surrendered territory ant
secured timber cutting concession il
the Yalu valley in Korea.
What brought on the present crisis
Last year Russia advanced the claiI
that the timber concessions extends t.
tho valleys of all rivers tributary t
the Yalu and that it gives the Russian
the right 10 build railways and to mon
opolize the port of Yongampho at TIL
Yalu's mouth.
Did Russia announce its intention t
annex Korea?
1t did not. But Japan took th
ground that its procedure meant vii
tual annexation and so issued protes'
Is this likely to lead to war?
Japan says it will unless Russia re
cedes from its claims. Elk.