Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-23
KEENAN, WANTS
JAPS TO WIN
Noted Traveller and Writer Talks En-
tertaininely About the War in
the Far East.
PREDICTS CHANGE OF FEELING
Says That There Is Not Much Pa
triotism Among the Subjects of
the Gar.

III RUSSIA loses IN neT Struggle 10
hold Manchuria there is no telling
what may he the result to the nation
menaced as ii is now by SC many
enemies and so much internal dis
sention. With Poland and Finland
on the north. Armenia on the other
side, and with the Jews. Little Rus
STA, the dissatisfied peasants. the stu
dents and countless hordes OF Other
people who now nurse in secret then
wounds and grievances against the
government. with all these dangers
menacing a country in its normal con
dition. what might not h. expected oil
them il this same country were brok
en- by defeat in a war which the great
majority OF the people would have
averted if they had been allowed a
voice."
Thus spoke George KEENAN,, noted
traveller and writer, famed for his eX
pose. in 1856. in the Century Maya
zinc. Of the horrors of the Siberian
~conyicts' life. Mr.. KEENAN, vas in
Chicago yesterday at the Grand Ia
cifc hotel, on his way TO Japan Il
write of the Russo-Japanese war fol
the Outlook.
Under Martial Law.
Practically two-thirds of the Rus
sian people are now living under mar
tial law" continued Mr.. KEENAN,
This has been the case for a number
OF years, the discomfort and the revo
l~utionary tendencies of the people
making IL necessary for the govern
ment to do this. Last year LOOT
persons were arrested for political
offenses against the government. Fiy,
years ago the annual number of ar
rests for this cause was about 5000
The increase is strikingly indicative
of the gain in popular feeling against
the government.
1T Is true that we are hearing from
ST Petersburg daily stories of patri
otto gatherings of the people, bul
that Is characteristic of all nations al
the outbreak of war. When the de
feats and casualties begin % pile up
when thousands of homes are desc
lated, when the taxes to pay for tho
war begin to be wrung from the peO
pie. then there may be demonstra,
tons OF a different sort.
Mar Forced on the Gar.
This war has been forced upon the
czv and the people by the grand du.
cal party and the war party among
military circles. The ear is a weak
man. be has no sand, he is dominat'
ed by the strongest mind nearest him.
The strongest minds wanted war;
they forced the government to take
the stand Ii did on the Manchurian
and Korean questions. But they made
one miscalculation. They thought to
drag negotiations along until spring,
meanwhile preparing to be strong
enuogh In the far east to crush ia
pan at the outset. They did not dream
that Japan would strike llrst and this
early
This is a war for graft. 1t Is the
practice of the Russian government,
whenever IL %conquers a land by force,
TO distribute the richest portions
among the nobility and the military
commanders. OF course, the very
richest goes to the ears private es.
tate, then comes the grand duCaI
party. and after them the military
commanders. Such was the case
when Siberia was taken: such will
be the ease If Russia wins in this
struggle: Manchuria and Korea will
be plucked similarly. That is why
the grand ducal crowd and the mill.
tary were 80 anxious for war. They
look for rich pickings."
Favorable to Japan.
what will be the outcome of the
war;" Mr.. KEENAN, was asked.
1T is impossible to tell. At the
outset. before the japanese had gain
ed their great naval victories.
thought Russia would make short
work OF II. Now 1t looks as though
Japan would win. Russia made a
great mistake at the start in allowing
her feet to be So separated. A part
of 4. lay at Port Arthur, another par
at ~VIadivostok. and two valuable
ships, the Korietz and the Variag. al
Chemulpo. Had these ships all beer
massed at one point the story would
have been different, | think. Now
the Russian feet In the far east Is
badly crippled, to say the least. She
a not get her Baltic and Black sea
fleets TO the far east because of var
ious obstacles.
II can quite believe the story tina,
the russian naval officers AT PnEI