The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-14
Is American Sympathy Now With
Russia.

Russia.
The New York Herald says editori-
ally:
Mr.. Rowland F. Hill, in a
cation to The Herald, published today in
its column of letters confirms what Tho
Herald's Washington dispatches stated
recently in regard to a marked change
Of public sentiment in this country
which was in favor of Japan. There
was a strong pro-Japanese feeling,
which not only has in a certain meas
ure subsidede but there is apparent
a decidsd reversal Of sentiment In
many quarters and a pro-Russian drift
of public feeling.
Mr.. Hill aptIy draws attention to
the fact that those who from personal
observation have studied the situation
in the far east lean toward Russia
rather han Japan,and,a as The Herald's
Washington correspondent pointed out,
those who have returned from the far
east say that the Japanese have lost
the friendship of people who have
come in closest contact with them IN
the Orient.
Mr.. Hill doubtless voices the opinion
Of thoughtful students of the eastern
situation, when he says that were pub
lie sentiment formed more from care
full investigation of the points at issue,
and less from sentiments expressed by
a hostile press. Russia would have
more sympathiZers in our country,
where fair play is insisted upon"
Commenting upon this the Indiana
State Sentinel says hat while it has
nothing against the Japs, it has be-
lieved all along that Russia is entitled
to American sympathy. Russia" t
says, has always been the consistent
friend of the United States, and it is a
shame that this country should have
ingratitude. 1t is no wonde that SEN
timent is changing. There is now A
fuller knowledge Of the situation" This
changed sentiment will doubtless find
little Judgement in the south, which
very naturally has no love for Russia
on account Of the incident for which
the north would chiefly remember her
the sending Of war vessels to New
York and a Francisco during the
Civil war. However, we are prone soon
to forget such deeds, as is shown by
the fact that the south had
no overweening desire to keep
keep hands off Spain although the
Madrid government was foremost in
recognizing the Confederacy. The main
grievance of a tangible natur against
the czar's overnment now is it's action
III regard to commerce, and if it is gull
ty, as claimed, there is no reason why
from the standpoint of right and wrong
we should not desire japanese ascen-
dency. According to President Borden
of the Fall River Cotton Manufacture
ers' Association, Russia made persis-
tent n successful efforts in the spring
OF 1903 to shut our American cotton
out OF the Chinese markets. While IN
the winter months of 1923 we were
sending there on an average of about
$4,000 900 yards a month, the sales Eel!
OF rapidly during the spring, summer
and fall until in November, 1903, our
exports Of cotton manufactures to Chi
ma had shrunk to around a million
yards a month. Last July they had
climbed up to over II, 900, 900 yards, to
be sure, which was nearly double the
export to China in the corresponding
month 1903. but considerably less than
half the monthly average prior to April
or tnat year. japanese success means,
In Mr.. Borden's opinion, the salvation
of the American cotton mills, In so
far as the cotton trad of China is con-
cerned. And it is no doubt" says
The New York Commercial. "the fact
that Russia's trade policy in China
and the unsettled condition of hat
country for a year or more PAST have
operated tellingly against our cotton
sales there" We are of the opinion
that If American sympathy is turning
toward Russia is due to the fact that
she Is getting the worst of the struggle.
With neither right nor advantage to
he United states on her side it is hard
20 see why we should give her our NOR
al support.-Charlotte Observer.