The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1904-01-14
Why Russia and Japan
mAY CO TO WAR.

[Atlanta Const tuition
T ATEST advices appear to make it a
sure thing that Russia and Japan
will have to tight out their collision O!
interests in Korea aud Manchuris
There Is a common expectation, also,
that when they so to fighting quick
occasions will be given fer involving
their allies, France going to the aid OF
Russia and England meeting her treaty
obligation to Japan to reinforce hei
when attacked BY more than single
power. After that may come the
bloody de!uge over both Asia and
Europe.
70 understand how The present sit
uation in the Orient has been produced
and to follow inteligentiy future events
iii that quarter, summary CT tbs sew
eral steps from the Chino-Japanese wal
to the present time is necessary.
At the conclusion of the Chino Jap
anese war, when the powers were lop-
ping eff certain valuable belongings OF
China, England taking over Wel-Hai-
Wei, Germany seizlng Klaochou aid
Russia occupying Port Arthur on the
pretense OF aiding the building o. her
railway from Harbip, IN eastern Si-
IBERIA, to that port. it fell to Japan 10
have her right to precedence CT H.
huence in Korean affairs recognized.
During the Boxer revolution Russia
quietly occupied the whole Of Man
churia and began to make preparations
for the permanent possession OF that
province. This called for protests, es-
pecialjy from Japan aud the United
Sta,es-ti,e latter having exaeted Nc
POSSESSION in China but only the recog-
ni,ion OF the "open ports" policy as tc
trade and safe residence for all nations
Russia promised us an official CORES.
pondence to evacuate Manchuria or
October 8 last. She broke that prom
| ise. On the same day of that breach
We obtained treaty convention to
open the ports of Mukden and Antung
| in Manchuria. Our senate ratified The
treaty, but Russia is preventing its rat
ifieation by China. Japan, meanwhile
seeing the promised permanepcy Cl
Russia in Manchurla and menace tC
her supremacy In Korea, protested ard
demanded tina: Russia should keep bel
contract rot to remain III Manchurs
ana threaten aggressions in Korea. Be
cause Russia refuses to answer tha
demand frankly the Japasese soc NJ
way to protect their rights than t'
threaten war with Russia. And there
is the whole story in short meter.
1t seems certain that a Russc-Japa
nese war Is inevitable. At the first o
it Japan will have many advantage
over Russia and if she can fight las
aud plenty may be able to bsat th
Muscovite back across the Manchur
northern 1ead-line. But if Russia ca
prolong the conflict and gradual
strengthen herself by reinforcement
from her western fields she can probai
, ly declmate and finally wear cut tn
, passionate and nervous little bro"
: soldiers.
t Yet the question which is far MOI
!, im portant than what either Russia {
: japan can do the enc to the other
the one of the probable spread OF tt
+ confagration to other powers. G.hel
. hangs in the istributcd balance OF tt
: east the possibilities of the invo!vme'
q of England, France, Germany, Ita
q and Austria and lastly Of the Unite
States from this side ct the situatlo
y The open door policy is necessary
, the future ORIENTAL relations OF th
= country. We want no land, but
\. want liberty of trade-and that one
Ia up big subject.