Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-09

sian machine In Asia at the disposal of this
American senator, travelling in guest of in
formation.
The result of this tour is a wore of ex-
ceptional value. 1t is written in the pictur-
esque and vivid style Of which Senator Bev-
eridge Is a master. It's timeiiness, in view OF
the impending crisis in the affairs OF Russia
and Japan, becomes at once conSpicuously
evident. 1t fits into the situation as do very
few books. But, as the author declares
more than once, this Is not surprising in
view of the fact that the foundations OF
the circumstances leading to cJaiifct be-
tween the two powers were laid nine years
ago and have been strengthened by Nir;u-
ally every move which has since thei been
made upon the chessboard of Nsidtic pol
tiles. Throughout the chapters ruEs 4
vein of comment 10 the effect that in the
Judgment of the author war IS inevitable
between Japan and Russia. lie adds
foot-note to the text first sent II press
dealing briefly with the lates. TecrudsScence
of the war spirit giving the work a jour
nalistc value even in addition To its pecu-
liar appropriateness.
Senator Beveridge presents the case of
Russia in its strongest aspects. IL would NOT
be accurate. however. to declare him Rus
sia's champion. He recognizes many i'm
proprieties and injustices in the Russian
program; bat he points ont the advantages
which, viewed by him, viii accrue TO
China and ultimately to the world through
the Outstanding of Manchuria. His por-
trait of the Russian the diSplacer OF
the Chln6mdn IN command OF tHdI great
province Is by TO means terrifying. He
paints him in series of types. the soldier,
the administrator. the priest, the peasant,
the railroad man, the merchant Each of
these factors he regards as civilizing. His
plane of contrast is between the Russian
and the Chinese administration of Man
churia. On such a basis the net result is
inevitably favorable to Russia. There is.
unfortunately, no sufficiently broad basis
for comparison between Russia and some
other great power presumptively situated
in Russia's present position.
1t must not be understood that Senator
Beverage offers his work strictly as an
exhibit in Russia favor. His own posi-
ton is that % an expositor of facts as they
exist rather than as an advocate He tells
what he saw. and II is very plain indeed
that all that he saw attests to the perml-
hence of RussIas position in Manchuria,
short of a successful onslaught upon her
by Japan or some other power. X wGGld
be folly to question the purpose of the Mus
covite to stay after the multitude of evil
dences which are given in this book. Nor
can those evidences be doubted. The au-
thor looked keenly and questioned shrewdly.
But he needed no especial acumen to con-
vince him of the permaEence of the pro-
gram. Everywhere the signs multiplied
that the car intends that his PEOPLE shall
settle in MSnchuIia; that his soldiers shall
guard them: that his officers shall admin
lister their wants, and ultimately that his
warships shall protect their ports, where
his very substantial Notifications briStle
In a significant manner. Merchant. sol
der official and priest all spoke with sim
pie confidence as TO the fiXity of their sta
tons. There is nothing temporary. nothing
fimsy about the Russian structure.
Senator Beveridge. of course, draws some
significant conclusions. He believes that
this Russian advance spells peril to the
trade of the other powers in the course of
time. He points TO the fact that the Russo
Chinese bank is to be found all over the
eastern edge of Asia. 1t is the foundation
for the vast trade that the Russians are
expecting ultimately TO build up in that
part of the world. But Russia is not yet
In position to supply the developing trade
wants of the far east. Germany is ready,
tween these three producing powers already
exists a sharp rivalry. Germany has adopt
ed better methods than the others. The
United States has superior advantages of
access; but lacking banking system in
China such as those of the Germans and
the Russians, the United States finds itself
now handicapped. It's commercial ma
chinery is likewise faulty.
The only real menace TO the American
trade involved in Russian advance, as
viewed by the author assuming that this
country strikes sharply for the market, lies
in the power which Russia's control over
the railroads of northern Asia will give
her for the crushing out of the rivals to
her trade enterprises. II is clear that SEN
ator Beverdge foresees trouble in this re-
spect, through the imposition Of differen-
tiaI freight tariffs and excessive customs
charges at the Russian-controlled ports. u;l-
less the United States stiffiy establishes its
rights now, in advance of the day when 1t
win be to Russia's advantage to exclude