The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1904-03-02
WHY THE JAPS DID 1T.
And Some Of the Causes That Led Up To
the RusSian-Japanese War.

To THE EDITOR Wearied beyond
further endurance by diplomatic
delays, evasions and insincerity,
and no doubt convinced the delays
we're only to gain time for Russia to
mobilize her forces and forward
munitions and supplies, Japan took
the initiative and attacked the Rus
sian feet at Port Arthur with great
success. Japan thus has the first
plea in the great court of last resort
among nations.
| On its face Japan was the aggres
sor, but is she so in fact? Has not
the conduct and bearing of Russia
in the whole controversy been that
OF aggression At this distance re-
liable data of the relative strength
and resources of the two nations is
not at hand. The last number of
the Outlook says The Japanese
army of over 600, 900 men in the ac-
tive aud >reserve.elists have been
Emobilized andthe troops are ready
to occupy Korea if desirable and
again while strength of the two
opposing fleets in Asiatic water is
about equal in battleships and in
cruisers both armored and protected
the Japanese can throw a total
broadside three times as great as
can Russia.
The population of Japan is about
45, 600, 900 and she has relatively a
small public debt and estimates that
she can at once raise a war loan of
$3.50, 900, 900, which, with funds on
hand, the amount not given, will
enable her to carry on the struggle
for some time. The population of
Russia is about 14O, 900, 600, 80 per
cent of which is engaged in agri-
culture, and one authority places
her total active army at |, 1OO,O 900,
with 5000, 900 reserves not mobil-
lied. OF the entire army 35O,c
are said to be in the east ready to
be transported to the seat OF active
hostilities. George KEENAN, places
Russia's debt at SO, 800, 900, 900 with
a gold reserve5 of $500. 600, 900. We
find that in mem and money the
showing is in favor of Russia, and
If the matter is pursued further and
account taken of territorial area the
preponderance over Japan is shown
ia a marked manner. Russia 5
8, 500, 900 square miles being for
comparison over two and three
quarters times as large as the Unit
ed States while the area OF Japan,
$50, 900 square miles, is less than
| twice the size of Minnesota
The race, though, is not always to
the swift nor the battles to the
strong Japan is on her own ground,
where every force can be brought
to bear without delay and has small
risk with her transportation of army
and navy, animated by . spirit OF
patriotism and a. determination to
preserve the national life. Her
army is we'll in hand and her navy
having kept up the practice adopted
by the United States has proved
herself efficient and ready for action.
And, too, Japan has an advantage
| in a thorough knowledge of the
country where the land force will
be called upon to engage the euemy.
On the other hand Russia is 5000
miles from her base Of supplies
which must be sent in over single
railway, the last 500 miles of which
is in the country of the enemy.
i The Chinese residents of Man
churia, who objected to the building
of the railway but we're overborne
by the Russians, will no doubt
have their innings now. It is re.
ported that they refuse to sell horses
or supplies Of any kinds to the Rus
slams. It was asked the other day
Il
if Russia had any right to be il
Manchuria Most certainly sht
has; when she built the trans Siber
ian railway toVladivostok she fount
the place untenable by reason o
the harbor being closed by ice 70
FIVE months in the year. She got
concession from China to build t
Port Arthur and hasexpended man,
%1,r