The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-29
Russia's Policu.
Clearly Defined in Official Instructions
for Children.

Tor Children.
Russia has always been willing to
explain to the nations of the world
all about her policy in the Far East.
and particularly the unselfish and
philanthropic motives which inspire
it, but curiously enough her ex-
plantations have always had so befog-
ging an effect that those outside her
borders have felt that they knew less
about what was going on inside
after an explanation than they did
before it.
On this account the clear exposi-
ton of the causes ane original pur-
poses of the war with Japan. as set
forth by the ministry of public in
structiOn for the benefit of school
children, will be welcomed, especial
ly in England and America. which.
it seems, are really responsible for
the conflict between Russia and
japan. The ministry makes eight
points, as follows:
Geographical conditions seem to
invite the spread of Russian sway in
the Far East.
The relations between Russia and
aboriginal inhabitants of civilized
countries have always been kindly
and fraternal, quite in contrast with
the relations maintained By Western
Europe and the United States with
the aborigines Of their colonial pos
sessions.
Russia's motives are always Iaud-
able, while those of western Euro
pean nations are selfish and grasping.
Russian people are possessed by an
eternal, natural, and legitimate de-
sire for an outlet to the sea.
By building a railway across the
Asiatic continent Russia acquired
rights in the Far East which she
supplemented by the peaceful pur-
chase of Port Arthur from the
Chinese.
Russia had to occupy Manchuria TO
protect her railway and other IN
terests.
One effect of Russian transforma-
ton of Manchuria was the desire OF
English and American capitalists to
expel therefrOm the great civilizing
Russian and reap the fruits of Rus
sian enterprise.
Finally, England and America
thrust forward Japan as an opponent
of Russia, because both Japan anG
! Russia were commercial rivals OF
England and the United States, and
war between them would weaken and
cripple both combatants, and thus
make Il easier for England and
America to advance their own in
terests.
True, the treatment of aborigines
by civilized people, so called, has been
disgraceful ever since man began tc
believe in the anomaly Of spreading
| civilization by the sword; but that
Russia's record is any better than
that Of other nations is refuted by
reference to SO recent a happening
as her dissertation Of Korean tomDs
Equally absurd is the claim that
the United States and England eggeo
on Japan. There is neither mystery
nor conspiracy connected with the
war in the Far East Russia grab.
bed too much and too quickly, and
then would not let go because she
thought the other fellow was toe
small to put up much of a fight. OF
course, that statement of the case
would not make pleasant reading fol
the school children. but truth is
truth
The real shame in the situation lies
in the fact that not a single nation
can raise a protest against Russia.
action without the hypocritical pose
All Of them have done the sam,
thing, and they viii continue to DE-
it until they learn that the world i,
a place for men to live in. not some
thing for them to fight over.