Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1904-03-04
THE WAR PRIMER.
CauSd of War Between Russia and
Japan Summed Up in
Few Words.

What is the trouble in the Far East?
Japan is trying to keep Russia out
of Korea.
What is Korea and where is it stu
ated?
Korea is an autocracy under Japa-
nese influence, about as large as
Kansas, with a population estimated
at between 100000 and 16,000,000
The empire occupies a peninsula just
south of Siberia, jutting out into the
Pacific ocean between the Yellow sea
and the Sea of Japan, and reaching
within less than 100 miles of the
southern end Of Japan.
Is Korea rich country?
Not especially. 1t is a purely agri-
cultural land and the methods Of
cultivation are primitive. A few gold
mines are operated and there are sup
posed to be deposits of copper, iron and
coal.
Why, then, does Russia want Korea?
Chiefly because of its position.
Korea is an extension of Manchuria,
which practically belongs to Russia.
In the natural development of con-
tiguous territory Russian merchants
have crossed the boundary into Korea
and Russian interests accumulating
there under weak government
naturally look to the czar for pro-
lection.
Why is Korea of stategic value to
Russia?
For two reasons: First, Russian
vessels must make a long detour
around Korea to pass from Vladi-
vostok, Siberia, to Port Arthur, the
Russian harbor in Manchuria. In
this journey they must traverse a
narrow strait between Korea and a
japanese island, comparable to Gibr-
altar. To insure free passage, Russia
seeks to control the end of the Korean
peninsula. Second, when Russia be-
gins its anticipated absorption of
China it would be inconvenienced if a
hostile power should have a military
base on the northeastern coast of Asia
Therefore, it desires to annex Korea.
Why does Japan object to the
Russian annexation of Korea?
Because Japan is overcrowded, with
population twelve times as dense as
that Of the United States, and it seeks
an outlet for its emigrants on the
mainland. The island has hoped,
too, to make Korea a base of an
attempt to extend japanese influence
throughout China. Furthermore, it
now conducts nine-tenths of Korea's
commerce and owns Korea's two rail
ways. And, finally, Japan holds its
own independence would be menaced
were Russia to gain the harbor at the
end Of the Korean peninsula almost
within cannon range of the japanese
island fortress of Tsushima.
Does Japan want to annex Korea?
No. 1t is satisfied to maintain
Korea's sovereignty with the expecta
tion that its natural advantages of
situation will give it the lions share
of Korea's trade.
When did the trouble between Japan
and Russia begin?
1t began in 1895 when by war Japan
had forced China to recognize Korea's
independence and to grant to Japan
the southern end of Manchuria.
Russia forced Japan to give up Man
churia, seized the surrendered terri |
tory and secured a timber cutting con-
cession in the Yalu valley in Korea.
What brought on the present crisis?
Last year Russia advanced the
claim that the timber concession eX-
tends to the valleys of all rivers tribu-
tary to the Yalu and that it gives the
Russians the right to build railways
and to monopolize the port Of Yon-
gampho at the Yalu's mouth.
Did Russia announce its intention |
to annex Korea?
1t did not. But Japan took the
ground that it's procedure meant
virtual annexation and 50 issued a |
protest.-Kansas City Star.