The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-14

diers numbered 15O, 600, and they may have
100000 or even 1900 there to-day. With
the new railroads thousands more can be
rushed in. AS you know, every man in Rus
STA is a soldier, and the Cars available
army numbers millions.
Al the same time the Japanese troops are
thoroughly well organized. There are no
better soldiers anywhere and no Drawer.
On the one side the japanese are fighting
Tor their homes and on the other the Rus
SLAMS are fighting at the orders of their
rather, the Gar, and at the same time in
the belief that it is their duty to carry the
cross into China and thus Christianize the
far East. That is a point that is not gem
orally considered, but l am told the Rus
slams believe that it is their destiny TO
spread their religion over all Asia"
In the trouble between Japan and Rus
STA what should be the policy of the United
StateS?"
Ity,' replied the senator. I'VE are i'm the
happy condition of being the closest friend
OF each nation. The Russians nave a SEN
tlmentaI as we'll as a real friendship for
us and so have the japanese. Russia was
our friend at the time of the revolution, it
aided us during the civil war and it sold
Alaska to us in preference to any other
nation. In return we have done many things
TO cement this friendship, and especially
so during the famine of a few years ago.
In Russians are appreciative and to-day,
Notwithstanding the efforts of other nations
TO make the United States Russia's enemy,
we are its strongest friend.
II ID NAC SdiiC VIII OdDdns 0OlHlIiOuOIe
Perry, one of our naval officers, opened
up that country TO modern civilization, and
since then we have always been fair and
liberal in our dealings with 1T. In our dip
lOmatic negotiations we nave asked less
than other nations and given more. The
result is that Japan regards the United
States as her friend, and if the fight be-
tween her and Russia is carried TO a finish
we shall be in a position to take advantage
of the situation then, whatever il may be.
If any nation is to receive anything from
CTNh 4 CpfrlQmQnf yUQ ar least Cha1l not
be left out"
ITO AND wITTE.
"You have met both Count Ito, of japan.
and Sergius White, of Russia, the greatest
men of the two nations, Senator Beveridge.
Tell me about them"
physically they are as far apart as the
poles,' replied Senator Beveridge. Count
Ito is dark, short and stocky. Mr.. Witte is
rosy-cheeked. tall, but road-shouldered.
Both men are very great and very quiet. 1
should say that Ito is, perhaps, the greatest
Asiatic now living. and 1 think one might
say that Witte is the greatest Slav. Ito is
the creator of modern Japan. He wrote
the Constitution, and he has been the ad-
wiser of the Mikado since it was enacted.
He is cool. calculating, conservative and
perfectly fearless. AT the same time he is
as simple as a child.
"Sergius White is also simple. In fact, all
really great men are unostentatious 1t is
only the little fellow in a big place who
puts on airs. Mr.. Witte makes you at home
and talks to you in a low, quiet way, which
Is very impressive. You cannot help see
ing that he is great nor feeling so when
you realize what he has done. He started
life as a railroad clerk at Odessa and rose
10 be manager of the railroads of that part
or the country. He was taken to st. Peters,
burg and given charge of the railroads of
the empire and then made minister Of
finance and the right hand of the Car.
II is largely due TO him that the Trans
siberian road was built so quickly. He has
put the empire on a sound financial basis,
and he is to-day the power behind the
throne as to most matters in the far East.
lie is a broad-gauge man. He sees the
whole world as 1t changes from day to day,
and he knows how to take advantage of
every change for the good of Russia"
speaking of Russia's financial condition,
Senator Beveridge. The empire is heavily
In debt. In the fight with Japan will the
Car nave enough TO pay his needs?'
|When war comes money usually comes
also, said Senator Beverage. 1T may cost
more, but it comes. Russia is n land of
vast material resources, which it would
take many mortgages to blanket, and it's
government has the power of raising money
without asking a congress or the people to
ratify its act.
Take the matter of the iauor business.
which is now altogether in the hands of the
government. Sergius Wittee saw the enor-
nous profits OF the Russian rumsellers, and
he sent out word that after a certain time
the government would make and sell all
the ~intoxicants used in the country. That
time came and to-day every drop of vodka
or brandy consumed In Russia comes from
the government stores. The business is so
handled that there is less drunkenness and
better liquor; and at the same time the
prohts are enormous. During 1903 they
amounted TO more than the total expenses
or the army and navy or to a sum equal to
about one-fourth of all it costs TO run our
government for a year. l do not say this
is right. j merely give the results.
There is now talk of taking over the
tea business in the same way. The Rus
slams are the greatest tea drinkers on
earth, not excepting the Chinese, and the
revenue from the sale OF tea would speedily
wipe out any debt which might arise from
q war with Japan"
Just one word more, senator: how is
your new book, entitled The Russian Adj
vance, selling?'
THE first publication is about exhaust
ed replied the senator, land / am revis-
ing some few things for the second edi-
ton" FRANK G.. CARPENTER.
Copyright, 1904.)