The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-06-04
THE Grsr OF THE EASTERN WAR.

THE GIsT CF THE EASTERN WAR.
valued correspondent asks what
the point at issue is between Japan
and Russia in the present war; and
asks further IL the Gar who called
together the Peace Tribunal at The
Hague. has not declined its Offices in the
settlement of the present dispute. The
last question may be best answered
first The Gear was the Heading spirit
in founding tho Peace Tribunal He
has not declined its good Offices. These
so far as we know have not been ten
dered to either party.
In getting at the foundations OF the
struggle now going on, 1t Is only neces-
sary to say, 1t is a war of conquest on
both sides growing out of the density
of population in japan on the one hand
and on the other Russia's longing for
Japan is the most thickly populated
country on the globe, Belgium in
Europe or China in Asia not excepted
These teeming millions were overrun-
ming peacefully the territory of China
in Manchuria and in China's dependent
state, Korea. It was the friction en-
gendered by this race movement that
provoked the war between China and
Japan in 1894. Japan Is duplicating
almost to the letter by her present ope-
rations on land the campaign she
fought ten years ago. The end OF
that war found Japan in complete con-
troll of every foot of land now in dis
pute with Russia. Russia backed up
by France and Germany then stepped
in and wrenched with a threat both
Manchuria and Korea from Japan's
hold and Russia proceeded at once to
make an armed camp of Manchuria.
pretending to do this as the friend and
ally of China. Taking advantage of
the Boxer instruction she largely re-
enforced her army in the Far East.
With the crushing of the Boxer rebel
lion, Russia was confronted with the
necessity of explaining her continued
tresses and in steadily strengthlng her
army. She did this by promising Great
Britain, the United States. and Japan
in turn and every time they asked
promise. that she was preparing to
clear out. Nobody believed in Russia's
good faith but she evidently reckoned
in playing with the situation, on the
difficulty any one power would have
in dislodging her. So she lied and
REINFORCED, REINFORCED and lied. For
nearly a year, Japan made free by
an alliance with England. had been
promise to clear out. but to make
beginning in that direction. Russia
knew this meant war and she re-
doubled her efforts to make herself
secure against attack in Manchuria.
She put Japan off, once, twice, three
times and Japan determined to wait no
longer. She struck at Port Arthur
and the rest we know.
In the upshot of 1t ALL 1t seems clear
Japan was the aggressor originally as
against China and Russia the agrees
sor as against Japan. The first blow
does not count in conflict where two
nations have for years been steadily
arming for war. Japan was being
cut off from any possible growth in the
only direction where, growth was to be
had. She is fighting for elbow room,
Russia for a coast line where she can
build and operate great fleets. China
is to pay the piper whatever the event;
that is in land. 1t must be said how
ever, that Japan has ben studiously
correct in her treatment of China and
offers, 1t is understood, to turn over
Port Arthur promptly to China if China
feels equal to governing there. Japan
will too throw the whole region open
to foreign trade. This generosity is
in Difference to European public opin-
ion. Japan has no notion of ever
again releasing her hold on Manchuria
and Korea except at the point of the
bayonet.