The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-02-04
THE EASTERN SITUATION.

mains, in doubt. Negotiations con-
tinue with long intervals between
moves and at the present time it is
Russia who has the opportunity and
necessity of making reply. The re-
cent reports from Japan and Russia
have been of somewhat more peace
full import, though some of them now
prophesy war. 1t is very doubtful it
the real status of the negotiations is
known, for the greatest secrecy has
been maintained with regard to
each exchange OF notes, but the general
outline of the points in controversy
Can be readily explained.
The japanese are very much in
earnest in demanding that Russia take
unto herself no new means of coercing
China. They believe it to be a mat
ter of life or death with them. Rus.
STA wants very much to get foot Sc
curely planted in Korea. Port Arthur
which she hoped and believed could
be made an impregnable fortress and
ice free port all in one has proved
hardly fit for either, certainly not for
the latter, so she now wants a port
on the coast of Korea and wants it all
to herself. Open ports are not to
Russias fancy. Competition from
other nations in exploiting the trade
of the Chinese Empire and the outly-
ing provinces is not desired.
Right here the recent action of the
United States in securing the treaty
with China by which certain open
ports are arranged for becomes of inn
portance. The treaty was not ex-
pected to be entirely concluded until
some months later, but the American
government became convinced that
Russia was laying plans to defeat or
nullify the treaty, and as conse-
quence the state department at once
rushed matters and quickly closed the
deal Immediately from Russia came
bowls and walls which indicated
that the Russians felt much offended
to think that this government would
not trust them. Japan trusts Russia
no more than did the United States
aud probably not as much. To keep
Russia from reaching farther and far
ther into Manchuris, Korea, and
the Chinese Empire the japanese
want a cast iron agreement in form of
treaty, signed by the Russian au-
thorities Russia diplomats are
willing to agree orally to almost any
thing, but putting it on paper is an
other thing
So there they stand. The press of
each country is in favor of war and it
appears that in Japan especially pub
lie sentiment is for it, but apparently
neither government is quite ready to
| fight. Meanwhile each country contin-
ues preparation for combat, mobiliz-
ing ships and troops and getting to-
gether supplies. The condition re-
minds one of that in this country in
1898 when the people clamored for war
until finally it came, the first clash
occurring before any declaration of
war. With Japanese and Russian
troops touching elbows along the
frontier in Korea, it will be wonder
| if some trouble does not start there
that will bring on general hostilities.
Japan in such case must have the
| sympathies of Europe and America
because of the stand she has taken on
the open door question in the present
negotiations, but whether she would
get any active aid or not is ques-
! ton 1t would seem from the terms
OF England arrangement with her
that war against her would mean
war against England, but treaties and
alliances often amount to more on
paper than in fact when the test
comes. Undoubtedly, however, Eng
lands connection with the affair is
one that has an influence toward peace
through making Russia more cautious.
| Meanwhile the East remains the GEN.
ter of interest in international affairs.