Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-08-25

the realization OF everything they have
sought, the abundant qualification OF
their hearts desire. The occupation
Of this fortress by the Russians and
their stubborn refusal to abide by
terms which were practically of their
own making were the carolina! points
of their offense, and the earnest, in
digaant heart of the island nation was
81 ever palpitating unit in its deter
mination to repair the wrong and pun
ish the perpetrator of it. There is no
form of defeat so unbearable, so ut
terly repulsive to national pride, as
that which is achieved by diplomatic
trickery. No succession of Manchu-
rian victories could serve to appease
Japan's national amour proper. Port
Arthur was the only remedy that could
heal this stubborn wound. This was
the spirit in which the doughty little
empire, having taken stock of its re-
sources and weighed with infinite pre-
cision the possibilities, sat down be-
fore the Gibraltar and began that con-
fiict which it knew meant in the event
Of the most favorable issue only a
costly revenge. Since that memorable
February day when the Japanese fleet
appeared in the Port Arthur offing
there has never been a moment Of
hesitation. With all her cleverness in
masking her footsteps and compelling
speculation to take the place of GER
tainty, Japan has been childlike In her
frankness with regard to her intention
TO make the capture of the coveted
fortress the main feature of the war.
Russia, although she had thus OBJ
tanned possession of an open seaport
on the east Asian coast, was not un-
conscious of the slender tenure of her
enforced holding. That this was the
fact Is proved by the feverish haste
with which she set about to strengthen
her position. First, the great Trans
siberian railroad was rushed down to
the new base. Fabulous sums of
money were lavished on new fortlfica-
tons. A vast naval scheme involving
the building a fleet which should easily
dominate the Pacific was set in motion.
Thousands of Chinese coolies were put
to work to construct the largest docks
in the world. New forts were erected
and equipped with the most modern
ordnance. Naval depots were provided
at Vladivostok and the new city of
Dalny. Military depots sprang up at
Hardin and Mukden. Strategic points
ON he oil
the pretense of promoting commercial
ism several portG--some of them in
korea-were seized, fortified and gar.
risoned.
Now and then faint diplomatic pro-
tests were forwarded to st. Peters
burg, but for the most part the nations
of tho world held aloof and wondered.
II is characteristic of the moral frailty
of humankind that they even admired
No one was deceived least of all the
former occupants of Port Arthur. The
sleepless national eye of Russias
island enemies was never turned aside.
II was no part of Japan's intention to
be precipitate. She saw that her enc.
my's chaos of preparation was ever on
the increase, and she bore in mind the
burden of her proverb-that a surfeit-
ed bee has no defense. She could well
afford to wait, but not too long: not
long enough for NJ. Alexieff A paltry
eighteen months longer would have
given that really energetic Muscovite
an opportunity TO perfect details.
Japan waited until that fateful break
ing on of diplomatic relations on Feb.
6. Within twenty-four hours her fleet.
which had been unostentatiously gath
ering in Sasebo harbor, put an end to
the waiting and two days later put an
end TO Russia's naval power in Asia.
Thus il was that the tenants of Port
Arthur were given an opportunity to
test the security of their stronghold
before its final claim of impregnability
could be made apparent.
Before the beginning of the war
nine.tenths of the world believed that
by occupying and reconstructing the
great fortress, Russia had sealed her
grip on Manchuria and Korea. IL not,
indeed. on China. Time has once more
shown the fallibllity of human judg-
ment. Instead of q safe. haven into
which the fleet and garrison might
in perfect security It has
proved TO be veritable deathtrap.
Better a thousand times for Russia's
men and warships If this fortified mil.
itary toy had never been constructed.
II is well established fact that fort
resses sometimes become sources of
greater danger to the nation that
erects and maintains them than to any
enemy against whom they have been
designed. Most of the disasters which
have oefallen the Russian standard in
are on account of the in
vestment of Port Arthur and the sue
cesses that have come TO the Japanese
are directly referable TO the same
cause. But for Port Arthur-and in
lesser degree vladivostok-the Japan.
csc might have had TO fight on land,
and at times and in places Of Russia's
own choosing. AS II was, Russia had
deprived herself of all volition In the
matter. because she was compelled TO
defend her costly fortress.