Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-26
The Situation in the Japanese Russian
War;

IL lG very ctIieuL ludt mas ~
length become aroused to the need Of
the most strenuous preparations for
the contest with Japan. Everything IS
now reported to be in readiness for the
mobilization of the entire Russian
the front over the great Siberian rail-
road at the rate of thirty thousand 4
day. Covered freight cars have been
converted into troop cars. and reports
from Russian Sources claim that the
trooLs are being comfortably housed
on their long journey to the far East.
The siGes Of these cars are lined with
felt, windows have been cut and stoves
set up. The movable hunks used for
slccl,ing are removed in the day time.
/: is claimed that while each car
carries forty men, only thirty-six are
taken. Each man is allowed three
rcurths of a pound of beef daily besides
regular rations from the kitchen car
Not only will ell the regular forces
of Russia be brought into action in the
present war, but already preparations
are being made for the organization
ana equipment Of a powerful reserve.
In this connection the genera! attitude
Of Europe as regards this contest be-
comes of special interest. Aside from
England ard the United States, it does
not appear that much sympathy for
Japan exists among the rulers at least
in Eur0pcan countries. The pOpu-
Iation OF France is said to he strongly
in favor Of Russia: and Emperor Will
Iiain King oscar of Sweden. and other
European potentates are said to have
written the car personal letters eX-
pressing their sympathy with his
cause. The feeling in Denmark is said
to be Very strongly i'll favor Of Russia.
owing doubtless to the fact that TIL"
Car is a grandson of King Christian.
This is the situation as it affects the
world at the present time.
1t IS certainly surprising that Ger
r1any, which claims to have 4 purely
commercial interest in the far East,
should look with favor upon the Rus
SIAN cause. although the Gar and his
people had reason to expect the moral
s,lpamt of France. Times have Ger
fanny changed since Napoleon invaded
the great Russian empire.
Wheth.r or not it will be possible to
prevent other nations from being en-
broiled in TIE present contest. is a
question that is being anXiously con-
sidcred by the statesmen of all the
civilized nations. Certainly while Eng
land * mistress of the seas. and the
United States the recognized world
power that it is today. it does not seem
probable that either Germany or
Franc. ar. likely to take any active
more likely that England herself may
be led by events to assist Japan. our
own country Will doubtless If its rights
arc not invaded. maintain an attitude
of strict neutrality in accordance with
its time honored traditions. \ potent
reason which will keep France and
Germany from entering into the pro
sent conflict. will b. found in the M
drrcurrrnt of dis.rust and hostility
existing between the two nations. The
French people have never forgotten the
los cf Als.tce and Lorraine. and would
welcome any opportunity which would
render il possible for them to recover
tn, Sc provinces. The peace between
these two nations has long partaken
very rluch OF the character of an
armed truce.
II had been thought that the dis
position Of Russia to usurp to her own
exclusive use the commercial advan-
tages of the far East would lead
European nations to take the same
view. of the situation that is entertained
by England and the United States. 1t
is evident that these countries are
more frightened by the bugaboo of the
yellow peril which Russia has so
shrewdly used as n mask for her own
selfish intentions. than has been the
case with the Anglo Saxon race. Tn
doub,edly Russia might strengthen
herself with Europe by declaration
in favor of the open door" in the far
East. s,ithough the readiness with
which she has broken former promises
would naturally lead the world To look
b upon any such pledges as lacking il
sincerity.
1t is evident that. Russia has much
more to lose in the present contest thar
Japan. There is little likelihood thai
Russia will ever be able to invad,
Japan's territory. The brave people o
that land may he depended upon to de
fend their homes against all attacks
and their geographical position render
them practically inpresnable on thei
own territory. At most Russia cal