The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1904-01-21
BUSINESS END OF WAR.
Probable Effect Of Hostilities on
Trade Of Nations.

. u
New York, Jan. Discussing the
effects of war in the far east upon
the finances of the world, Henry
Ciews in his weekly review of trade
says:
Tt is the inevitable CLASH of two
systems of civilization that of gov
erRment control represented by Rus
STA, and that of individual freedom
represented by Japan. Russia, un-
der her economic system, can thrive
only by getting more human beings
ard more territory to tax; and Japan
alone stands in her path towards con-
summation of these designs. This
explains why Japan finds SO much in
ternational sympathy, and Russia so
little. AS for the sinew of war,
moaey, it is difficult to say where it
wa be provided. France, Russia's
strongest friend, already holds about
$1.s00, 100000 of Russian bonds, and
is not likely to be hungry for more;
especially as such aid would offend
ERgland, who is a much better Gus
tOmer for French products than Rus
sia- There is no other country that
would be anxious to lend Russia, ex-
cept upon sxorbitant rates; and it
must not be overlooked that Russia's
cruel treatment Of the Jews has
hneught her the dislike of powerful
bxsMkers of that race who could easily
pat obstacles in the way of Russian
borrowings. On the other hand Jap
an could undoubtedly place large
amounts Of bonds in London, where
both sympathy and seif-interest are
en- her side. Discretion would no
doWbt lead Russia to moderate her
aggressions; the question is, can she?
Eventually her governmental indus
trial schemes must break and pro-
duce serious internal discussions.
1t Is gamble, therefore, whether or
net war will precipitate these dissen-
sisns or postpone them; but just now
the war party is dominant both at
st, Petersburg and at Toxic, and
therein lies the danger. The first
eject of hostilities will be to unsettle
the financial markets, though as u.s.
ual the actual outbreak will find the
event largely discounted.
Ii Japan insistes upon her demands,
which are, that Chinese sovereignty
in Manchuria, also Japanese influence
offer Corea, be continued, war will be
the outcome. 1t must be remember
ed that Russia has for many centu-
ries past been scheming for an open
sea outlet in place of being frozen
up in all her northern ports for two
thirds of the year. Russia's original
scheme of relief was via CONSTANT
Rople, but that was found impossible,
owing to the combined opposition of
the European Powers, hence the
!, building of the Siberian Railway into
Chinese territory means that Russia
proposes to get seaport outlet from
the Manchurian and Corean coasts.
Naturally Japan strenuously opposes
this as she realizes that Russia would
be an autocratic and dangerous neigh
Dor and besides would hem in her lit
tie island territory from expansion,
which is becoming so much needed
by her growing industries and in
ders her forceful attitude the result
will be transfer of Chinese sover-
eighty to Russian sovereignty over
Mancnuria, and the result to the
United States would be that the re-
cent commercial treaties providing
for the open door policy in behalf Of
this country would become a closed
door through change OF sovereignty
over that country, for certainly treat
les made with China are not likely to
be carried over by Russia, unless
they are found to be TO her advan-
tage. Consequently to prevent war
there must be a back-down, either on
the part of Russia or Japan. The
commercial interests of all foreign
trading nations would undoubtedly
be best served by Russia's territory
being confined to present limits. 1t
therefore would appear that Japan,
from an interested point of view at
least, has the sympathy of the COM
mercial nations with her." ..@