Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-02-19

transported to Japan In great num-
bers. The exodus has been in prog
ress for some time past in Quiet
way, the result being that the Jana
nese navy has secured many of the
finest gunners in the world, and these
at high prices. sost-s
NEUTRALITY.
Britain, the United States, Ger
many, France and China have de-
clared neutrality. This was brought
about chiefly by Mr.. Hay, Secretary
of State to President Roosevelt.
Russia had hoped China would not
take this stand, but take such a posi-
ton as Russia might have pretext
for invading China, which she would
have had China declared in favor. of
Japan, as was her first impulse. She
will, nevertheless, aid Japan mater
ally IN a quiet way.
For the action of Secretary Hay
Russia is mad with the United States.
snd says we may have to fight on &C
count OF it. Russian papers say the
United States is an avowed enemy.
and must be looked upon as such.
Her Commissioned General officially
announces the abandonment of the
proposed participation of Russia i'm
the st. Louis exposition.
BOUGHT CONFEDERATE wARsuIP.
Lieut. Henry f. Rhoades. now on
duty at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
says:
81 believe that the credit for the
Japanese navy may be placed to the
American naval officers. 1t really
began with the purchase of the
armor-clad Stonewall jackson (later
named the .Adzuma) from the United
States Government in 1866.
"The Stonewall jackson was built
In France for the Danish Govern
ment, and was to be known az the
Sphynx, but she was bought by the
Confederates. She put to sea soon
afterwsrd, but owing to some derauge
ment of the steering machinery She
ran into Ferrol, Spain, for repairs in |
February, 1865, where were lying |
the American war vessels Niagara |
and Sacramento. The commander
OF the American vessels allowed the
Stonewall to escape aud she went to |
Lisbon, and thence across the Allan
tic to Havana. Here she Law until |
after the close of the Civil War and !
was then given up by Spain to the |
United States.
slater the Stonewall was sold to
Japan, and she was sent over there |
by the United States under command |
of Capt. (now Rear a dmiraD George
Brown and delivered at Yokohama
in the latter part of the spring of !
1865"
CossACK vs.. JAP.
The Cossacks are the Trough |
Riders" of the Russian army. They |
live in the saddle and are among the |
doughtiest fighters in the world, Civ
ing and asking no ''quarter." The |
alert little Japs will find the Cossack !
a very different proposition from the
Chinese infantry whom they routed
in the war nine years ago. In fight
ing at close quarters the Russian
though Riders will probably prove
too much for the Mikado's foot
soldiers and cavalrymen. The Cos
sacks are big, burly men and in
melee are foemen to be feared. The
Port Arthur dispatch states that of
the japanese landing party of 600
men nearly two-thirds were sabered
by the Cars troopers. The Japs
will learn before the war is over that
while the Russians may not be efli-
clens as sea fighters they are formid-
able antagonists on land. Phey have
unlimited grit and staying power.
GOOD FOR THE yAPs.
The news of the victory of the
Japanese over the Russians will be
received with satisfaction through
out this country. OF course, it does
not end the war, but it is the vital
first lick, and evidently it has gone
home. The sympathy of our people
is with Japan for several sentimental
reasons. That country presents the
wonderful and unprecedented phe.
nomenon of an old people suddenly
made new by the power of their own
intelligence and energy, reconstruct
ing themselves aud advancing from
obscarity and weakness to promin-
ence and strength among the nations.
1t is the small man in the fight, and,
so far as we can judge, has the right
of it. Apart from our admiration of
the japanese pluck and belief in the
righteousness of the japanese cause,
there is the practical consideration
that it is important for our interests
that Ilussia shall be pushed back and
kept back in the far East. We need I
that territory for our own business
and if Russia controls there
our exclusion is only matter of
time.
In addition to all this, there is
reason to believe in the existence of
some kind of secret alliance or un-
derstanding between this country.
. apan and Great Britain. Certainly
the Japanese stood with us in the
recent Eastern complications and the
combination dominated the settle
ment of Chinese affairs. If they are
not our allies they are our good
friends and firm believers in America.
Therefore, more power to the little
yellow people. May they win and
DO 1T swiftly and quickly. The over
throw and humiliation Of the half
barbaric despotism of Russia would !
be welcomed, not only throughout
this country, but by the whole world,
81 ,rcoAPARIsoNs. i
AT present, at or near the scene of
action, Japan is superior to her an
tagonist In naval and military
strength, and her land troops and
~ naaN 4