Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-02-13
Russia's March Across Asia.

Russia's March Across Asia.
Relative to the present agitation in
the far East, an exhaustive article on
the Conquest OF Asia by Russia"
from the pen of John Brisben Walker.
Is OF interest. The following is a cur.
tailment OF the sketch taken from the
February number of the C~osmopoli.
tan:
I In 1881 Russia began her march
across the Asiatic continent. At that
time her advance posts were but 800
miles from st. Petersburg. Today
Russia stretches In an unbroken line
OF 5000 miles. Three hundred and
twenty years have been consumed in
this slow progress, advancing, fight
Ing, retreating; but each decade
marked Russia's march toward the Pa.
! cific. At such times as the attention
of other nations was distracted by
war, then it was that Russia chose TO
make bold moves.
And today, what a vast section of
the globe does not the Russian empire
encompass, In its progress to the
east, the Trans-Siberian railway has
crossed five rivers, each more than
5000 miles in length, each a stream as
long as or longer than the Mississippi.
Slowly, patiently, step by step, dec
ade after decade, the march toward
the Pacific was kept up.
The deeds of valor, of desperate
courage, Of suffering and Of p~rivation,
which marked Russla's advance, would
fill a hundred thrilling volumes. But
low cunning, cruelty, bestiality, were
the accompaniment of horrors innu.
merable.
Count Ignatieff, who secured the val.
ley of the Amur to Russia by diplo-
macy while the English and French
were making their first march upon
Pekin, takes rank among the worlds
greatest pioneers. Dispatching expe-
ditions of discovery, studying the re-
sources Of his new found territory,
building posts, encouraging immigra-
tions-his life was one Of constant ex-
pansive enterprise and activity.
Twenty years later the Trans-Sibe-
rian railway project began to be put
forward. AS it began to near compile
ton those familiar with the situation
watched with interest what Russia
would do. Something was due to hap.
pen. And when the u~naccountable at
tack upon the foreign legations in Pc
kin occurred-an attack which, how.
ever threatening, was never seriously
m~eant-there were not a few who be-
lieved that behind the movement could
be detected Russia's subtle hand.
Prior to 1895 Russia had been per.
mitted to work out designs uninter.
ruptedly. The world at large knew
nothing of her plans. Only in the le-
cations was there any clear conception
Of what the Trans-Siberian railway
meant. But as the line neared compile
ton distinguished travellers began to
cross this region and draw differences.
Japan, always alert, finding Russia
at the upper end Of Korea, knew full
well that Korea was just as much a
part of Russia's program as Manchu-
ria; that, firmly entrenched on the
borders Of the peninsular, each decade
would witness some advance In the d.
rection on Japan, just as each decade
for 300 years had witnessed Russia's
progress in the same direction-much
or little, but always progress.
There Is much mystery as to just
what force Russia has available at this
hour. Certainly 1t can be nothing in
any way capable Of meeting that which
Japan can put In the field. Nor does
Russia's fleet in the East seem to be
capable Of meeting that of Japan on
the basis of equality. But powerful
battleships and cruisers are on their
way from Europe as achievements.
The position in which Japan finds her.
self then is;
First-That Of being as completely
equipped, both as to her army and
navy. now, as she can hope to be in
the near future.
Second-The maintenance of this ex.
tensive equipment is a serious matter
to Japan's finances. II maintained for
years, it would in itself be e"xhausting.
Third-Russia moving her troops
over her newly constructed railway,
is in a worse position today than she
will ever be in the future. Construct
ing Notifications, moving in additional
supplies, perhaps training native
troops, bringing up achievements OF
the best Russian artillery-every hour
Is adding to her strength. In another
year she will be twice as formidable
as she is today.
Fourth-Japan, in a position to fight
Russia's fleet upon a basis Of equality,
probably feeling certain Of victory,
will be endangered II she permits Rus
sia's Atlantic fleet to arrive.
The writer concludes with the pre-
diction that the greatest war known In
history Is about to take place.
Quid Pro Quo.