The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-01-14
TROUBLE in THE FAR EAST
Conflicting Interests on the Pacific Which
Bring Russia and Japan to the Verge of
War.

The troubles in the Orient which threaten
mOmentarily to bring the great nations of
Japan and Russia into armed conflict, and
possibly to draw in other nations, ma king
a world war, arise from the economic con-
ditions in both Russia and Japan. Japan
is small country with an exceedingly
dense and rapidly increasing population.
The total area of the empire is 145, 655
square miles, or less than the total area
of Kansas and Nebraska. This makes an
average over the whole empire of over 296
people per square mile, or 429-per square
mile in the more thickly-settled portions.
This is about 20 times the average density
of the population of the United States. or
four times that of the North Atlantic Diyi-
sion of the country. The whole of Japan
is more thickly populated than even little
Rhode Island, which has 4O7 people to the
square mile
The people of Japan are all active. in
dustrious, skillful producers, and there
must be market for their wares and an
outlet for the rapid increase in numbers.
She naturally seeks for outlets and mar
kets upon the Asiatic mainland, particu-
larry in Korea and Manchuria;
very ready of access, is peninsula of
3d. 900 square miles area, or nearly the
size of one of the Dakotas, and has about
100000 p0pula ton, far less advanced
than that OF Japan. consequently offering
a good market for japanese goods.
Mancluria, which lies farther west, has
an area of 363, 61O square miles, or about
as big as the country between the Allie
ghanies, the Mississippi River, the Lakes,
and the Tennessee River. and has pop
ulation of 8, 100000 This country is also
IA tempting market for the Japanese, and
an outlet for her surplus population.
Russia, on the other hand, has been
steadily extending her boundaries east
ward to the Pacific, and has expectations
of building up an empire there greater even
than she has in that portion which bor-
ders on Europe. Fifty-four years ago her
people went down the Amur River and
cific, claiming all the territory lying north
of that river. China at that time pro-
tested, lint the Gar Nicholas decided that
where the flag Of Russia was once raised
il could never be hauled down, and he
made good the Russian claim to the terri
tory. Out of this grew the important Rus
sian town of Vladiyost0ck, which Russia
had made military and naval stronghold.
Some years ago she began the construc-
ton of a great railroad across the country
to Vladivostock. Objections were discoy-
cred to this place ms its principal military
post, for it is so far north that its har-
bors are ice-locked for a large portion of
the year. and. besides. the Pacific could
be reached at Port Arthur, in Chinese ter
ritOry. 346 miles nearer. At Port Arthur
the harbor is free of ice the year round:
therefore Russia began intrigues to have
a branch of her railroad run down through
ManchHria> to Port Arthur. and to gain
possession Of that highly important
strasetic point which gives her-th domi-
nance over a large part Of China. She had
many diplomatic struggles. but at last Sc
cured all that she was after. In gaining
the right TO construct railroad through
Manchuria to Port Arthur. she gained the
right TO garrison aud protect it and the
adjacent country. She also intrigued for
control Of tiae peninsula Of sKorea. and SCI
cured ascpncsesion giving her the impor.