New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-14
Decentralization War.
One LihIc Nan ASKS Whq about and We Tn to TEL Hin

A certain small boy asked his father at the
breakfast table q few MORNINGS ago, What caused
the war between Japan and Russia Many people
think boys ask too many questions but how are
they 10 learn things IL they do rot. They cannot
read and understand things theft fathers cam
Besides. asking questons-especially such excellent
ones as this boy asked-ndicates that the inter
rogator-Or boy asking questons-has a good foun-
dalton TO start building his education on Now
this boys question was sent 10 The Tribune. An
we have to say about the question IS that we wish
ne would ask easier one How IS one to tell
about the causes Of war. when one does not know
all OF them? To be sure Ike two boys who have
got into a quarrel and have been called upon
10 explain about IT, each has his side 20 sive; but
one cannot tell whether either side has told all Of
the truth. Both Japan and Russia have given their
sides
1t will be well 70 begin by getting out the geog-
raphy and turning to the map of Asia. or. better.
10 a map on which can be found a slice OF Siberia,
the upper part OF China and Corea a1d the Islands
Of Japan by themselves. Siberia, every one knows
by this time belongs 20 Russia Running along the
lower edge 81 Siberia and crossing the claw Of 10
near the sea Of japan is u bis river called the
AMOR On the lower side OF this river lies
country called Manchuria. For many years Man
churi9 belonged % China. JuttiuE of from Man
cnu1ta into the midst OF the yellow sea and the
Sea Of Japan IS q tongue Of land called Korea on
some maps and Corea on the others. Now. look
closely. \ river Will be found running part way
across this tongue Of land between Corea and
MauChuril. This Is the Nalu River. about which
so much IS being said.
Now Russia for several years has been building
railroad from Europe across Siberia 10 the sea OF
course the railroad, in order to DO OF ought 20
end near the water, where SHIPS could bring to Il
freight and also take freight from it, Siberia is
so near the North Pole Is very cold in some
places IN the winter time. in fact, so cold s 1t
that all the bays along the coast freeze over IN te
winter and vessels get In or OUT with their
!reizht 1t planned TO build this railroad 90 q
place called by tho long name o. NladivOstOk-
f- rrHH f.l n r ~ . fI
sea of Japan the foot OF the claw OF Siberia
Tie Cars ministers thought 60 would be- much bet
ter To build the railroad 70 81 bay which DID not
freeze over ar any UiAC or tlo year 50 se.-l,'" c
got lu opportunity 20 build tr across AaUCiLrla,
which belongs 20 China. TO q place now known az
Port Arthur. This place may be found at the END
Gulf 81 Pe-Chi-Ii This guIf Is az the head or the
Yellow sea. the left Of Corea, and ol a. level
with Picking, the capital OF China
Two or three years ago q l'L or uld N-Aliltilirl.
called Boxers. who wanted 10 get tie foreigners
out of china. shut the foreigners IN Peilug and
would not let them leave the city The soldiers Of
marched % Picking and made the Boxers go away.
Russia left some or her soldiers III 1llt-llfii. M
stead OF taking them home as some "i the other
countries did Then the Cars minister when
asked ~ their soldiers not going 90 leave poor
C'uiua's land Of MaucHuria- said they would go
when China bad zone certain tnlnss. anu "a c, ,ty
soldiers did not People began 20 believe t.tt
the car intended % take the country f1r himself
Japan is only r. small country as one may see by
looking the But there "a lot Of big and
little Japs. with brtstliug black hair and their
islands are getting too small Tor them Ihey Walt
some more land TO spread out upon t1re1 would
fust suit the laps, and every one has Thought
that some day the little man who calls himself
country 70 Japan. MaucLurla and Corea are sep
grated only by the Ialu River. Japan. az least,