The San Francisco call., 1904-07-21

COOLIDGE TALKS
OF RUSSIA

The first Of a series Of four lectures
to be given under the auspices OF the
Mechanics Institute took place last
night in the art gallery of the Mechan-
I les Pavilion Archibald Cary Coolidge,
assistant professor of history. Harvard
University, entertained large audience
with a complete review Of the causes
OF the present war in the Far East and
of Russia's attitude. past and present
Professor Coolidge is one of the leading
authorities, on Russia
In his Introductory Professor Coolidge
reviewed the beginning of the modern
era of japan and also the slow awak-
ening of the Slavic empire. In referring
to Russian diplomacy he said:
Many have, referred TO the alleged double
England and the United States. however feel
perfectly able to care for themselves diplo-
matically. but the Russian Government Is
It credits itself with. The extension Of Rus
sa has caused great deal OF talk II We
II has acquired since 1870 there would stll
be left a territory larger than the United
States The advance Of Russia has been Ike
that Of glacier-slowly but surely, Inc Ted-
son Russia has grown 50 fast within the last
twenty years IS owing TO an enormous increase
OF her population, the developing or heI stS1
sources and the building OF railroads Stlh
Russia, between the years Of $500 and @ lSoOs
mas grown no more than mas our own Gun
try than other world powers. Where Rus-
sia added Siberia. We have added the entirS
West from the Mississippi TO the Pacific. Rus
sa's alleged greed for land did not prevent
her from selling Alaska to US. Great Britain.
France and Germany have added almost twice
as many square miles to their territory as has
Russia Russia's greatest gain was Siberia,
put THIS was acquired IN much the same Iasn-
ton-from nOmad tribeS-as was our West
from the Indians. Russia had other lands
richer and more attractive. Until lately 81
i OetIa vas We sIeat uASuoIsH S S-,s-s a. 80
prison OF criminals the home or aQVentureEs
and tramps- With the building of the Trans
came more endurable and immigration re-
ceived a forward impulse. Although the ROAD
was built as a military measure. Russia was
hO more prepared Tor the results or the ldst
ten years than any other nation The Chino
japanese war and the Boxer war came Ike a
japanese war began before Russia was ready
70 meet the emergencies placed upon ner
main railway. Russia regarded japan in the
LiaOtung Peninsula as dangerous and when
each OF the great powers demanded It's slice
from the victorious japanese Russia claimed
and obtained Port Arthur. Korea whose
people have more liking for the Japanese
than for the Russian. destined to become
the Choice Of the two Koreans would choose
Russian occupancy. The Russians would
merely bring their officials. a few traders and
obtain franchises. while the Japanese would
usurp the sOverei gnty OF the kingdom and a
heavy immigration OF japanese would begin
I not that the claim OF Japan
for room in which to expand is a valid claim
upon which TO seize Korea II II was brought
ABOUT tnat japan could not get horea' Would
this country cOunteuance Japan's entering
some cOuntry-MexiCO. for example-upOn the
assertion that she needed the country for her
excess populationE Now, a word as 10 the
open door, in the East. which, il Is claimed.
Russia is desirous OF closingi II is an open
door that opens one way; Japan seized For
mosa and left no open door. There is no open
door in Porto Rico and without reflection
upon the policy Of this Government, the Brit
ish have complained that cur 'Open door in
the PhiIiPpines IS open none too widely.
Russia has obtained from China very good
port in Manchuria, Nladivostok. There IS no
drawback Of being icebound in the winter
z months An outlet to the Pacific bv a port
free from Ice the entire year is urgently needed
by Russia Without II her Interests IN the
East suffer. II Japan gains Korea she will
Immediately fOrtify the points OF land on each
side OF the Korean Straits forcing an shfrs
proceeding TO any Russian port to pass under
japanese guns. This would have the effect
Of very completely "bOttling up Russa's
fleets, should japan desire 70 do 30 at anv
time. American sympathy for Japan is partly
owing to the idea that a very large nation 4
/ fighting a very small one. This is in fact.
railroad over which to transport her troous
and although on paper Russia has numerically
a larger army in the field than Japan. the
japanese are stronger at the present time in
Nanchuria-
The professors closing remarks dealt
with the effect that hasty expression OF
American sympathy for Japan has in
Russia. He asserted that we had for
feited the friendship Of a great power
that formerly admired US and in many
ways initiated us. He expressed the
hope that the press and public OF the
United States would remain the friends
Of both countries in the momentous
struggle