The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-07
Korea the Real Bone of Contention
Betaveen Russians and Japanese

and Europe, a route open both In times OF
war and peace.
A look at the map shows that vladivostok
is situated on the japanese sea and hedged
in on all sides by a chain OF japanese
islands. interspersed by narrow waterways
through which communication with the
ocean is had.
THE WATERWAYS IN DETAIL
There first. on the north, the Mar
rows. between the Siberian continent and
Sachalin. which constitutes a shallow. dan
gerous waterway. Nikolajewsk is situated
on the Narrows terminating in the Sea OF
Ochotski. a turn-again alley with
out outlet except through the Kur-
lie islands, extending from the
southern extremity of Kamchatka
to Yezo. The Kuriles passed under Japan
csc sovereignty, by treaty with Russia. in
1875 These islands offer most formidable
obstacles TO navigation. They are envel-
oped in fog for the greater part of the year.
while the waters thereabout are full or
rocks and sand-banks, etc.
There is another connection with the Pa"
ciic ocean, namely, that around the SOUTH
ern extremity OF Sachalin, via the canal
or laperouse, terminating, like the other. in
Narrows that lead to the Kurile islands
In the south we have direct communication
with the Pacific ocean via the Straits or
Tsugar, which latter are commanded by
the islands ofsJeso and Nippon, both Japan
Schimonoseki thoroughfare, not much wider
than ordinary river and fortified by the
Japanese on all sides. In the Canal OF Krus-
enstern the same conditions prevail: In
short, ali vessels bound for the East ST.
berian coast or departing from there must
pass through japanese waters, at the mercy
of Japanese guns.
Japan has mounted guard outside the gate
of Siberia, and may say who shall enter or
depart and who shall not. Besides, Japan
owns all the ice-free ports of that immense
times "A :
Europe.
There is one ocean highway left. the
southernmost from Vladivostok, namely,
Broughton canal, resembling the Canal OF
Calaic in width. This is not in the hands
of the Japs entirely, but has Jap dover.
the Mikado's colony eusan.
If Japan acquired Korea she would at the
same time acquire control of the naval ana
maritime operations OF all Eastern Siberia
and OF the Province OF Amur. Even Nladi-
vostok and Dalni could communicate with
each other only by the Mikado's grace. In
deed, II Japan was permitted TO occupy
Korea, Russia would have no free seaboard
whatever, despite her worldwide expansion.
NATIONAL NECESSITY.
Consult the map once more. 1t shows that
egress from the Baltic may be shut of
by Denmark or Sweden. while egress from
the Black sea is controlled by Turkey.
These drawbacks Russia is willing 10 suf-
fer. in the interest of Europes peace. but
cannot accept a similar situation in her
East Asiatic Empire. Viewing the Russo
Japanese situation from that standpoint.
the sympathies OF the commercial, as well
as of the political world, will be with Rus
/ STA.
The Baltic and Black seas are controlled.
as stated. by two weak powers having no
navy to speak of. AS Russia would have
to fight for her existence in Europe II these
waterways fell into the hands of Great
| Britain and Germany. respectively. so the
| control OF Korea by the great power OF the
| far East, Japan, can be had only at the
| cost OF war. Great Britain recognized the
! true situation years ago when. 10 secure
her right-ofway in the Broughton canal she
| occupied the island of Quelpart. which
| commands the canal from the south. The
occupation was conducted in irregular
way, and England had to give up the
| island
Logically considered, the sympathies OF
the United States should be with Russia
| Already Japan Is our annoying competitor
| Possessed OF Korea her competition would
become intoierable. as owing 10 inhnitesimai
| costs Of transportation, cheap labor, etc-s
| she could cut prices in half.
| In case of conquest Korea would enter the
| japanese Zollverein, as a matter OF course,
and commerce with that country, on the
| part or foreigners could be stified by pro-
tective tariffs. Yet Korea. 1 assure you,
is a most promising country. possessed OF
great natural wealth and a fertile soil. IN
der efficient administration she would AFFORD
excellent markets.
Last. but not least, japanese possession
OF Korea threatens the trade OF the United
| States in China. Once master OF Seoul,
Japan, being so much nearer 70 Pekin,
Shantung and Petchilla. could easily push
| her trade with China VIGOROUSLY to the
| front.
ERNEST Won HEssE-wARTEGG.