The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-03-09

Russias reply, she spoke pointing out
that her commercial interests in Man
churia must prevent her from denying
her right to influence therein. If there
We're To be a neutral zone. let it be
both sides of the line separating Man
churia and Korea-say so kilometers
wide on each side
1t took Russia forty-two days. or I'M
til December II, to recover from this
neutral zone boomerang The only
medicine she took was new ships and
men for the East. When she did reply.
il was To ignore Manchuria altogether
and reiterate her former demands re-
garding Korea. Japan on December 81,
ten days later, politely suggested that
she was waiting for a reply concerning
Manehuria; that Russia would kindly
desist asking her not to use Korea as a
strategical base and that the neutral
zone question be abandoned. After six
teen days, on January 6, Russia pro-
posed that Japan recognize Manchuria
and her littoral as outside her sphere
of influence Russia TO promise not to
impede Japan or any other of the Pow
ers in their enjoyment of the rights and
privileges granted them therein by Chi
ma, but this concession to be made only
in case Japan agreed to the neutral
zone in Korea, and not to use that ter
ritory for strategic.at purposes. Russia
also refused to guarantee the terrific
rial integrity of China. On January 13,
one week thereafter, Japan reiterated
her original proposals. She well knew
that as long as Russia refused to guar
antee territorial integrity, her agree
ment to respect enga gements made by
China as to Manchuria was not worth
the paper it was written on, for treaty
rights are co-extensive with sovereign
ty. The Car had only TO announce the
annexation of Manchuria, and all Chi
mas promises with regard thereto
would lapse. Hence the Mikado took
his stand on the only tenable ground
international guarantee of territorial
integrity. Russia's reply was awaited
for &wenty-three days. Though none
was then received. the japanese min
lister in st. Petersburg was Informed of
it's tenure-evasion, like all previous
answers. When this was communicated
to Tokyo diplomatic relations were
severed on February 5, and without the
formality of a declaration, a state of
war supervened.
JAPAN'S MORAL VICTORY.
In the meantime Russia had
gained little over six months. every
warlike preparations. She was hasten
ing vessels to Port Arthur and the
Yalu, terrifying everywhere, and rush
ing to the East her Baltic fleet. Its
arrival would have given her naval
predominance. In Korea she was eX-
hausting all her arts to prevent the
opening of Yong Ampho and thus Sc
cure that key to the Lao Tong penin-
sula. If Japan was to maintain her in
-egrity, she must strike now or never.
She had waited until the very last mo-
nent. Acute observers the world over
had been pointing out that every day
Of delay increased in algebraic ratio
he surety of her rivals impregEabnity.
Still throughout all the trying negotia-
ions and vexatious delays Captain
3rinlkley is authority for the statement
hat she moved not a ship nor a sol
lier; she did not even call out her re-
serves" Not that she was not prepar-
ng herself at home by making every
possible provision for successful con-
est but outside of her dominion she
fitted not finger. while Russia was
throwing her forces into the territory
# foreign state.
Japan's patience, however was win
ing for her a Great moral victory. Her
more far-seeing than her
eople had counted the cost of playing
or the gree test stake at issue in any
modern war-the approval of the
worlds conscience. She wanted the
onest sympathy of the United States
-Russia's traditional friend-and the
onviction of our people both that her
ause was righteous and the war forced
pom her With the moral support of
ne world-at all events. of the Anglo
axon world-Japan felt she could go
trough any conflict. Assured of this,
he lost no time After Withdrawing
err minister she gave Russia three
avs Of grace. Then at one fell stroke
ne swept away the pretensions of the
ear to naval prowess. Out of seven
and seven protected cruis-
RS she left to her foe only three Of
ach class fit for service, the four ar
iored cruisers being safe at V1adivos-
TX. Such in brief is the historical tale.
WHAT IF RUSSIA WINS?
Now what of the outcome? Forecast
,r a moment what Russia's victory
lust mean. Her preparations have
one back for decades. She has had
Ut one ambftion-the control of Asia.
ears ago Pobiedonostseff told Hon. A.
White why-in order to control the
orId Absolutism in church and state
believed by her rulers to be the only
ossibIe salvation for the human race.
er fight is one of ideals-the past
gainst the present-Asia versus the
GRID for Russia is at heart Asiatic.
he pulse of Sargon and Nebuchadnez-
II beats in her veins. She has merely
lded the sign of the cross to the ban
er of the Orient. Her plans are well
id. Years ago she pushed a telegraph
lie from Kiakhta via Urga to Picking
ross the desert of Cobb. following the
ravan track of centuries. Latterly
e secured from China the right to
rallel the wires with rails. Give her
anchuria and Korea plus this rail-
ad, and Northern China is hers, the