Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-25
RUMORS OF WAR.

The dispatches this morning concern
ing the eastern situation are decidedly
alarming They state that Japanese
army has landed In Corea, and that a
Russian force has crossed the Yalu
river, Another rumor has It that a
Chinese army has been sent to Man
churla. Were these rumors true. they
would mean that the long predicted
war has commenced without formal
declaration Of war by either side. And
II II is to be war, that, In all probable
ity, Is the way In which It will begin.
The two contesting parties VIII step up
on the toes Of one another until pa
thence Is exhausted and the declaration
is made that state Of war exists"
Both parties desire to avoid the respon-
slbility OF having precpltated the con-
nlct; both desire to appear in the role
Of defenders OF their own rights; neith-
err wants to be the attacking party. Civ
iization has done this for mankind,
that even land-hungry governments are
now ashamed OF declaring n war upon
a neighbor.
But the rumors are denied, and II Is
quite possible that they have no found
alton In fact. In few days the world
will know whether the war was actual.
IS commenced while the negotiations
were still going on,
Russia's appearance In Manchuria
forms most remarkable chapter OF
the modern history OF Asia, In 1891 II
was decided 10 build the Siberian
railroad with It's terminus at Vladiyos-
took. A long detour was to be made,
80 as TO avoid Manchurla. but the Rus
SLAMS soon found that a straight line
through that province would be an ad-
vantage. And so an opportunity OF OBJ
talnng concessions, including the right
Of maintaining trops along the line,
was eagerly looked for by Russia
The opportunity came when Russia
stepped In between China and Japan,
ana saved the Lioa.Tung peninsula to
the Celestial" empire, China was
naturally grateful and Russlas reward
was secret agreement, by which
China was TO give Russia preferences
as against other powers, while Russia
was to defend China against the world.
This was followed by the Manchurlan
railway treaty, in form an agreement
between China ana the Russo Chinese
bank, but actually between China and
the Russian government. The agree
ment not only permitted Russia to
build the road, from west to east across
ManchurIa, but It allowed her to guard
II with such troops az she deemed nee
essary against brigonds, and II gave
Russian goods brought into China by
railroad a preference Of so per cent In
duties rs against those entered by for
oign nations at seaports. Russia now
was secure OF practical control OF all
northern Manchuria at the least,
But Russia was not yet satisfied
She coveted Port Arthur the chief har-
Dor on the peninsula, from which Japan
had been ousted, The opportunity OF
moving on this port came, when Ger
many seized the port OF Klao- ChGu for
then Russia had TO have some "recom-
pense" And so Port Arthur was seized
by Russian fleet. II was later LEASED"
and more railway concessions were OBJ
tained Then the Boxer troubles
came along, and Russia found another
excuse for occupying Manchurla
While the allied forces were march
Ing to Pekln. TO rescue the besiegcd
legations, Russia was pouring her
troops into ManchurIa and occupying
all strategic points, Russia has re-
peatedly promised to evacuate the
country and restore II to the Chinese