Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-02-13

/ uh6l iAtE utSptt1ltOIS with INASSld.
| Japan does question, and she cannot
afford to do otherwise.
Walter Wellman has explained the
whole subject of the contentious be-
| tween these two dominant powers of
the east probably more clearly than any
other writer who has attempted to ham
die the subject. He writes under a
Washington date, and his sources of in
formation Is not only our own state de-
partment, but the Washington embas-
seys OF the powers OF Europe and Asia
as well. Mr.. Welman says.
Japan demands that Russia sign a
treaty stipulating the independence of
Corea.
Russia has expressed a willingness
to sign such treaty with conditions
and the conditions are that Japan shall
stipulate free rein for Russia in Man
churia and, by implication, in other
Chinese territory.
Japan has refused to accept any con-
ditions, has declined to take any step
which might be construed as a recogni-
ton of Russian sovereignty in Man
churia, and has insisted upon settle
ment Of the question of the future status
of Corea without involving that settle
ment with the status of the Chinese
province.
This crisis is the natural.
the inevitable collision of two great
forces which for years has been work
inc trsrard ono another rrJ,a ,,nts..,,ot
policies Of the two powers have for years
drifted nearer and nearer to actual col
lision. Peace has been preserved
through makeshift and procrastination
of the evil hour But at last they are
face to face,
THE two forces which have come
into collision are the instructive lines
Of expansion of the two countries. On
the one side is Russia, marching stead
lily, almost resistlessly, craftily, some
times trickily toward the Pacific; adj
vancing with railroad and army and
traders and assumption of local author
ity wholly subversive of the nominal
sovereignty of Picking; moving on pow
erfully through assimilation of the
masses, through a pressure almost gla-
cial masked behind stealth fairly fe-
line; creeping forward, ever forward,
now and then seeming to pause, but only
seeming, for crafts sake.
ION the other side is Japan, whose ma
tional instinct centers upon two points:
First self-preservatlon by preyeut'n
the vast ogre OF Russia sweentr
through to the Pacific and there spread
ing up and down with an expansive grab
which in the end must threaten and
finally crush Japans very existence.
Second, the more immediate and prac-
teal aspiration of Japan for an outlet
upon the mainland OF Asia. Japan lacks
room. It's little island kingdom is not
large enough for it's people. To the east
the vast Pacific; to the west the totter-
ing governments OF Corea and China.
and il is TO the west Japan must perforee
look for expansion, for her opportunity,
for self-preservation commercially and
politically.
when Japan turns her longing gaze
to the mainland she beholds there, en-
trenched, greedy, powerful, stealthy and
almost resistless, the hordes Of Russia,
and back of them an instructive national
policy which deliberately plans and I'M
ceasingly seeks to overrun all China
After the war between Japan and China,
which resembled combat between the
swordfish and the whale, and which re-
suited in a crushing victory for the little
4 fish, the people Of Japan congratulated
| themselves upon their success in secur-
ing firm foothold on the mainland
Their national aspirations were about to
be realized, they thought. But the Eu-
ropean powers interviewed, largely
through Russian influence and intrigue,
and the japanese were compelled to give
up all they had won. They have never