Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-03-31
sI.00 A YEAR.
What Is the War AboutP

ln-r'ret the present m'suuierstAui-
iug between Russia and Japan. The
chief facts NAV be presented thus:
What is the real issue?
Japan objects to toe Russian bears
showing his long. cold nose down in.
10 Korea.
Korea ls an autocracy under Jap
anese Influence, about as large as
Kansas, with a population estimated
at between so0O.OOOa and 5000 600.
The empire occupies peninsula just
south Of Siberia, jutung out into the
Pacific Ocean between the yellow
Sea OF Japan, and reaching within
less than 100 miles of the southern
end Of Japan.
Is Korea such valuable country?
Not especially. It's purely agri-
cultural land, and the methods of
cultivation are primitive. A few
gold mines are operated, and there
are supposed to be deposits OF copper,
iron and coal
Why, then, does Russia want Ko-
rea ?
Chiefly because of its position.
Korea is an extension of Manchuria,
which practically belongs to Russia
In the natural development of contig-
uous territory Russian merchants
have crossed the boundary into Korea,
and Russian Interests accumulatIng
there under the weak native govern
ment naturally look to the czar for
protection.
Is Korea of real strategic value 10
Russia
Yes; and for two reasons First,
Russian vessels must make a long de-
tour around Korea to pass Vhdivos-
tok Siberia, 10 Port Arthur, the Rus
sian harbor in NJ MnchurlA. In this
Journey the, must traverse Il narrow
strait between Kores and a Japanese
island, comparable to Glbralter To
insure free passage Russia seeks to
control the end OF the Korean PENN
sula Second, when Russia begins lls
anticipated absorption Of China It
would be inconvenIenced if hostile
power should have military base on
the mort eastern coast Of ASIA. There.
fore. 1t desires to annex Korea
Why does Japan object to the Rus.
sian occupation OF Korea
Because Japan il overcrowded.
with a population twelve times AS
dense AZ that of the U tied States,
and it seeks an outlet Tor its emf
grants on the mainland. The island
empire has hoped, too, TO make Korea
the base OF An attempt to extend Jap
anese influence throughout China.
Furthermore. It now conducts nine.
teulhs OF Korea's commerce. and owns
Koreas railways. And hually. Jap.
an holds its own independence would
be menaced were Russia TO gain the
harbor At the end Of the Korean pen.
insula almost within cannon range Of
the japanese island fortress Of Tsus.
hima.
Does Japan want to annex Korea'
No. 1t is satisfied TO maintain
Koreas sovereignty with the eIpec-
tation that its natural advantages Of
situation will give it the lions share
of Koreas trade.
When did the trouble between
Japan and Russia begin ?
1t began in 1895, when by war
Jaran had forced China to recognize
Korea's independence and to grant
Japan the southern end Of Manchuria.
Russia forced Japan 10 give up Man.
churia, seized the surrendered terri
tory, and secured timber.cutting
concession in the Yslu Valley in Ko.
rea
What brought on the present crisis :
Last year Russia advanced the
claim that the timber concession e1.
tends TO the valleys Of all rivers tFib-
utary to the Yslu. and that it gives
the Russians the right to build rail-
ways and to monopolize the port Of
Yongampho at the Ya.u's mouth.
But Russia has not announced lie
intention to annex Korea.
No. But Japan took the ground
that its procedure meant virtual an
ne1Ation, and 90 Issued protest.
Is it true that the sympathy Of the
United States is largely with Japan ?
Il is true. Russia stands for cold,
aggressive sel6shness. Her acquisi-
ton of new territory in the Far Eas,
means no addition TO the Christian
Influences at work in that region.
On the other hand, japan is an
alert, progressive, PIucky little ma
/ tim which has shoWn great hotpItali-