Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-04
the OUTBREAK OF War.

The Russo-Japanese situation ha.
Seacaaed its climax and i, would appeas
drom the press, dispatches that actua,
atostilities are only question Of tbs
time 1t may take for the opposing
0Eunies and navies to get within ssrik.
ing distance OF each other. Japan
wants to fight. She believes her future
depends upon a successful effort I.
check the Russian advance into Asia
and realizes that every year of delay
draws from, her own strength and adds
70 Russia's. Japan is ready for war
Her preparations are made. Like an
athlete in full training she is anxious
knr the clash ere she grows stale"
lershdp of the yellow countries. Sha
eas earned the place by her progress
alyes-s and fought for It successfully
wLrh China. The plans OF japanese ex-
pansiou must necessarily be limited TO
The lands ani peoples of her own color
She aspirss 20 be the arbiter OF casters,
Asia. The question with Japan Is
whether she shall consen. to remain an
ISLAND empire. to be overshadowed and
s1ominat ted by Russian occupation OF
Che coast. or fight while she is ready
for her place as the dominant Asiatic
power. II Japan Is ever to do battle for
her future she must do 1t now. Five
years later. when Russia has completed
her Qualifications and strengthened her
eastern navy. war would mean ineyita-
bic disaster. Japan means 10 light
when she is ready. Her defeat means
ehe extension OF the Russian autocracy
ever all China.
The United States has more than a
passing or sentimental interest in the
approaching conflict. Our interests In
khe east are already great aud the
peomiss OF the isthm!an canal forecasts
nur commercial supremacy OF Asia. We
have acquired gateway to Asiasic
GrAde In our ACQUISITION Of the Philip
panes and our marvellous capacity OF
! production is asready crowxiing Ameri-
gan goods aionx the commercial chan
1lels that lead toward the commercially
4sxdeveioped eastern market Our in
esreshs in the east add to our RESPONSE
Utilities and dangers. Attempted block
nde OF the Aslattc coast by Russia, q
declaration OF food supplies to be con-
esabaSd of war. or any Of a half dozen
ooes4ble con ttngencies whic1h might So
S4ously interfere with the commerce Of
NE United States. might and without
aoubt would involve this country more
rr less alarminxly.
War with japan means CONNER
Hal boom ito the cities of the Pacific
Ooaat. Much OF the foodstuffs neces-
cary to the conduct of the war will be
'ANd by CHS country ii the combatants.
TO Jan. |. fully so per cent more
Hour and wheat had been taken by Ja-
nan than was purchased from Pacific
Uoast st2tes during the same period of
my crop year. This heavy increase is
believed to have been due to a far
seeing policy of Japan in gradually ac-
cumlatdng eoodstuffs to carry ITS army
md navy thru an expected war. OF
ne last crop. the equivalent OF 100000
ouatlels OF wheat in flour have been
kh1pped to Japan, and 100000 bushels
q wheat un9round. This impressive
Seem Of commerce preceded the recent
eush orders of canned meats and other
Urovisions which both Japan and Rus
49, 1ave been qlurrying from American
warehouses for the immediate urgen-
c1es OF threatening war.
But this country has more than q
cpmmercIal interest in the struggle be-
tween the yellow man and the Slav.
Gapaa Is the Asiatic America. An
American admiral in American ships
was welcomed fisSt to Its sealed ports