The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-09

As BETWEEN RUSSIA AND JAPAN.
II war occurs between Russia and japan,
as now seems inevitable. il will be the re-
suit of a policy of stealthy but steady ag-
gression on the part of Russia for many
years past, accompanied by patient effort
on the part of Japan to safeguard her
rights and avert war. Russian policy in the
far East for a quarter of century past
has been one Of aggression toward China,
Korea and Japan. which. If ever suspended,
has only been in order to get better vantage
ground for future operations. Her absorb
ton and practical annexation of Manchuria.
begun years ago and carried on under a
series Of false professions diplomatic lying
and broken promises unparalleled in his
tory, is only one step in her programme.
Japan has been right all the time and is
still right in regarding Korea as her next
point OF attack Japans determination to
draw the line against Russian aggression in
Korea is more justifiable a measure of
national protection and safety than our
Monroe doctrine is. a Russian lodgment in
the western hemisphere would not be half
as significant or dangerous to the United
States as her laying her little finger on
Korea. Japan is justified in fighting Russia
to the death to keep her out of Korea, and
I'm such conflict the whole civilized world
should sympathize with Japan.
Japan lost her opportunity to make good
against Russian aggression and showed rare
magnanimity when, after driving China out
of Korea in 1894 and whipping her to the
point of humiliation, she failed to exact
territorial indemnity from China that would
have prevented Russia's recent aggressions.
In that war. after China was really whipped
but before she had sued for peace, when
the European powers suggested interven-
ton the Emperor of Japan said, ''The war
having begun, we cannot cease operations
until our object shall be gained" When
China finally sued for peace she was able.
through the assistance of American diplo-
matists and the generosity of Japan, to
obtain far better terms than she deserved,
including a grant of territory much less
than Japan might reasonably have exacted.
That was the time for Japan to have Sc
cured a bar against Russian aggression
through Manchuria, but she failed to i'm
prove the opportunity, and. of course. the
Russian policy of aggression was resumed.
Russia in Korea would be a far more dan
gerous neighbor for Japan than China in
Korea was, and Japan is right in fighting
again for self-preservation.
A statement issued a few days ago by
high japanese authority concluded by say
ing:
In struggling with all her force against
the pretensions of Russia in the far East
Japan works not only for herself, but for all
nations. Japan does not ignore the dangers
and risks of an armed conflict with Russia
heart or as a fanfarade 1t will be less
struggle between races than plan for the
preservation of international commerce.
1t might be added that Japan represents
Western progress in the East. while Rus
STA represents the worst form of absolutism
and the spirit of anti-progress as it is en-
bodied in no other government on earth
Diplomatically speaking Russia is as much
a friend of the United States as she can
be Of any power with her traditional disre-
gard for promises and pledges of all kinds,
people and the haters of tyranny, oppres-
sion and retroaction everywhere from SYM
pathizing with Japan in the coming con-
| fict. While it will be the duty of the gov
| eminent to maintain a strict nuetrality, 1t
will be the privilege of the people to SYM
pathize with those who are opposing the
aggressive policy of the omnivorous bear