The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-26

however much he may seek to conceal and
suppress it.
American Sympathy in the War.
With whom should the people Of
the United States sympathize in the
war between Japan and Russia?
This question is discussed a great
deal, not only in the newspapers and
the magazines, but where individuals
pressing their personal feelings and
speaking from their personal view
points. Unquestionably the dominat-
ing sentiment in this country is one
of sympathy for Japan rather than
with Russia. So pronounced is the
predominance of this sentiment that
knowledge of the facts has come to
the government and the press Of Rus
STA. There great surprise is .ex-
pressed and disappointment and re-
sentiment manifested.
There are those in our-own country
who contend that our sympathies
should be on the side of Russia. They
hold that proper sense Of obligation
and decent gratitude for Russia's
friendship for the United States at
critical periods in the history of this
country compel US to favor that coun-
try in the present war. It is con-
tended that Russian as Christian ma
ton should have the support and
favor of this country as against ia
pan, which is pagan. It is urged, also,
that from the low level Of commercial
interest we should desire the success
Of Russia rather than that of Japan.
Neither of . these considerations,
however, go to the merits of the
proposition 1t is not a question of
whether we are or are not under OBJ
legations to Russia, whether Russia
stands for Christian civilization, as we
regard it, or whether our CONNER
cial interests are on the side of Rus
sian supremacy. Each one of these
questions will admit Of discussion and
afford opportunity for honest differ
ence Of opinion.
There is one view of the question,
| however, toward which the American
instinct of fair play is bound to turn,
| It wants to know, first, what are the
| merits of the controversy, and will be-
| stow it's favor in accordance with prin-
ciples of right and justice as they are
involved in this war. It is this fact
which compels the people of the
United States to sympathize so largely
with Japan. They are bound to rec.
ognize the fact that Japan is fighting
for her life, that her very existence is
threatened by Russian aggression We
are abundantly supplied in our own
experience and in our own dealings
with Russia with knowledge Of the
treachery, deceit and brazen dishon
esty with which that country ha:
treated the whole question Of orienta
politics. The sacrifices which Japar
has made for peace and the bold rob
berry which she has suffered at thu
hands of Russia are matters of too
recent occurrence not to be fresh ant
clear in the minds Of the American
people. SO that when it comes to tn
question of sympathy we can no NOR
disregard the merits Of the controvers,
itself than we could If we were to SCI
the bully of the school yard imposin,
on a smaller boy, robbing him of hi
1 playthings and seeking to drive hin
out of the playground. Howeve
closely we might be related to tn
bully, or however great the sense o
obligation we might feel toward hin
for some past favor, we should b
bound in all fairness to resent hi
selfish and overbearing treatment o
one weaker than himself. And hoy
can it be otherwise than creditable t
us that, laying aside all consideration
of precedent and tradition and self
interest, the social consciousness 9
the American people, made alive an
sensitive thru possession Of the fact!
should respond to them alone? Wher
is the right of this war? That's tn
, main point.