The Irish standard., 1904-06-11

don, following right on top of the
Japanese investment of Port Arthur,
and the reported humiliation of the
FladivOstok fleet, shows that, while
the money lenders Of England have
been profuse in their praises of the
nations yellow ally, both in war and
in peace, they allow no sentiment to
enter into their business as money
lenders, says the Irish World. In de-
manding six per cent rate Of inter-
est on bonds taken at 931a cents on
the dollar, the issue to be secured by
a first lien on the custom duties of the
country, money lenders of England are
either taking undue advantage of
Japan or else they do not share the
high hope of success entertained by
the English press.
In marked contrast with these dl.s-
tic terms is the loan of $1GO,OOO,OOO
made by the Bank Of France to Rus
sia, at five per cent. without any con-
dition other than the general credit of
the country, and that, too with the
privilege of refunding at lower rate
of interest whenever conditions war
rant it. The French people either
have more confidence, or more con-
science. than their English neighbors.
The financial agent of Japan in Lon
don volunteers the statement that the
$5O,OOO.OOO borrowed is not to be
shipped home, but. ON the contrary, is
to be kept in England for the purpose
of meeting adverse balances. IT this
is true, and there is no reason for
doubling it, JAPAN IS A DOOMED
NATION! If ninety days of war
forces a sovereign government to sur
render it's right to collect public rev.
enues, and that. too, for the paltry
sum of $50,OO0,OOO, which it is con-
ceded is to be used for meeting ad-
verse balances already existing. what
is to become of it in prolonged strug-
gle such as Russia is capable of max
ing, even though it suffered defeat in
every engagement? The death rate of
the Russian army so far is not equal
to the birth rate, and with those who
know anything at all of their tenacious
character, it is conceded that. with
Russia, the war has not yet commenc-
ed. Unless Russian character has un-
dergone complete change since the
Crimean war in 1856, it is safe to say
that children yet unborn will serve in
the cars present army before Russia
will surrender to the yellow races of
the Orient. Even if we accept Japan
ese reports of the casualties, con-
tinuation Of the struggle would leave
Russia with a population Of nearly
1OO,O00,OOO after every vestige of
human life had disappeared in the
Island Kingdom.
The population of Russia is given at
14OOO0,OO0, while that of Japan is
given at 45.OOO,OOO, or ratio of more
than three to one. Assuming that the
death rate was equal, it will be seen
that Russia would have 95,OOO,OOO left
after human life had become extinct in
Japan. RUSSIA'S STANDING ARMY,
that is, an army which is in no way
connected with the Industrial pursuits
of the nation (Which must be main.
tanned in Japan as well as with its
rivaD is 100000; behind this army
is 100000 more men who have re.
ceived military training, and who are
ready to take the field at moments
notice. If Japan We're to withdraw
from it's factories, its fisheries, it's rice
fields and its shipping, upon which the
nation subsists, every male between
the ages of Is and so years, it could
not assemble-even if it could raise
the money to arm them-more than
one-half that number.
But some one will say that Rus
sia's army is 5000 miles distant. while
Japan is close to its base of supplies
Let us see whether or not that is true
So long as Japan's efforts were con.
fined to the water it had that ad.
vantage. being only from 200 to 300
miles distant from its home ports: but