Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-25
JAPAN PLAYS FOR Big STAKE
Has Vital Interests in Disputed
Territory.
Russin's Issue Not So Scrioue-.IJcr
Victory Would Close Doors Of
Jnpan's Best Market.

In the case OF some great international
CONNECTS. much historical and phosophi-
cal study has been necessary to reveal the
fundamental principles at issue That is
not true of the present conflict between
Japan and Russia. There are, of course,
many points of actual and potential diff
ference between the two powers, and
many important interests at stake. I;ut
the really decisive issues are quite clear.
some arc regarded by Japan as vital;
some are not, says tine correspondent OF
the Philadelphia Ledger. Perhaps none is
in the premises at least. vital to Russia
On the eve Of settlement by war, it IL
worth VIM to picture from the Japanese
view point the main issues involved.
First, the background of tho picture
must be clearly fixed. II is a widcawake
ana thoroughly modernizcd japan with
every national organ created, quickcned,
and rapidly expanding. Not only agri-
culture. forestry. fishing and mines. but
also industry, transportation and trade
show striking growth. Fair induces are
tho following: In 10 years GSo3-1e0) rail-
way mileage in operation increased from
1871 to 4.o31 miles while the value OF for
eien trade increased from 17S.0O0. ono to
Go6, 300 900 yen. In seven years Us96-I903) the
tonnage Of merchant ships exceeding 800
tons increased from 1866 to 540. $40 tons.
The capital invested by companies In
creased in five years GS96-l90) from 39I,-
y
five years the aggregate capital and re-
serve Of ordinary banks Increased from
37W0,0cJ to go 100000 ven while deposits
rose from 2.593 to 5,S011 million yen. In
view Of the limited area of cultivable
lands, the high birth rate and the rising
standard of living, pressure of popula ton
is tremendous and overflow inevitable.
AN EXAGGERATED ISSUE.
A minor issue much distorted and much
exaggerated in current discussion abroad,
Is the fact that Russian aggression now
covers the very territory from which, un-
der preteSt of preserving the integrity Of
China and the worlds peace. Russia Sc
cured the assistance of France and Ger
many III 1896 TO drive out japan. The in
cident has weight only because Russia
has chosen to keep open and to ageravate
the sore. Its full Significance, however,
appears in the light of two further facts:
First. when forced by Russia France and
Germany to code Manchuria back to
China, Japan pressed for stipulation in
the treaty with China, pedgiug China
not in future to cede any of the territory
in question to any other foreign power.
Secondly, Russia. with the effective sup
port of France and Germany. successfully
opposed the insertion of such a. stipula-
ton, on the ground that it could con-
template action by Russia (aione), and
that since Russia would never be an ar
rnt # We unneecessarv y.i,Iv h,d
J,non ,roua5 tbat tho cassion ri Man.
rhi,rin ala mot concern any third newer
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much oraatar ;n,norta,cn ie tho thrcatcn.
ed etitliny ~ imnortant econnric asnira-
lions OF Japan Already a number OF
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