New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1904-02-20
BURST OF PREMATURE SYMPATHY

BURST OF PREMATURE SYMPATHY
Nothing quite so astonishing has
happened in the United States for
some time Us the wave of pro
japanese sympathy that has swept
over the country in the last two
| weeks. Sentiment against Russia
is everywhere pronounced, and no.
where more than in the south,
whore race feeling is supposed to
predominant. The little reverses
which the Russians have met on
the sea have been magnified until
one would think the czar's domin-
ions were about wiped off the face
of the earth.
Part Of this feeling is due, no
doubt, to the entirely erroneous
idea that Japan is a sort of David
among the nations fighting the
huge Goliath. In size, of course,
Japan is overmatched, but in avail
able fighting force she is at least
Oh even terms. By sea she has
far the best available navy, and by
land all of her military strength is
concentrated within short dis
lance Of the battle ground, while
Russia has her forces and supplies
to transport over 5000 miles of
single track railway. In the early
stages Of the war, therefore, Russia
is at an enormous disadvantage !;
and it must not be forgotten that
Japan's first aud indeed only vie
tory was achieved by striking an
unprepared enemy in the dark be-
fore war was declared. The Amer
lean eonfesses it can see nothing
chivalrous nor admirable in this
but from the applause it has re-
ceived people evidently think it a
glorious act.
1t is surprising that such pro-
found sympathy should be ex-
pressed in the south for branch
of the Monaghan race fighting
against Caucasian nation, albeit
its slowest aud least progressive
branch. People are also deceived |
by the false idea that Japan is
somehow a highly civilized aud
cultured race. The japanese civ
ilization is thin veneer, applied |
from without, at first by force.
Those we meet in this country are
cultured and intelligent, but the
mass Of japanese probably hate
all Caucasians as fiercely as they
did century ago.
On the contrary, Russia is work
ing out her own salvation, as the
Caucasians are in the habit of do
ing. The impulse to educate and
achieve comes from the masses of
The people. She is our traditional
friend, large purchaser of our
,roducts and on more than one
occasion an Invaluable ally of the
United States. She has Just COM
'leted great work for civilization.
'he has just opened by means Of
he Siberian railroad, one Of ma
ure's great store houses. Is it a1y
Vonder that she desires to operate
Is ports, free from the menace of
iongolian guns ! Is it any surprise
hat after building her railroad
cross Manchuria, she desires to
afe guard her possessionsi
Would the United States build the ).
'anama canal and allow Panama. !,
} be governed by joint commit /,
70 Of foreign nations.
The sympkthizers with Japan
ssume too readily that her success
ill make for the worlds better
lsnt. If she should win, it will
{ but a short time until some
Eher and better prepared white
alton will be obliged to step in
here Russia failed and reduce the
ze Of the Japanese national head.
triumph will mean con-
nuation Of open ports and trade
ktensi0n for all nations; no one
nows what Japanese victory
ould mean. But she will not
in. The real war hasn't even
Bgun yet. Lake Charles Americam.