The Irish standard., 1904-02-27
THE REAL CAUSE OF WAR.


express an intelligent opinion on
European politics than Michael Davitt,
who is now in this country. He is a
close student and has travelled extern
sively throughout Europe. His opin-
ion in reference to the war now in
progress is worth more than all the
stuff printed in the large type extras
that appear upon the streets of our
American cities. Always an earnest
! and unselish advocate of human lib
erty in every part of the world, he
cannot endorse the Russian govern
ment in much of its action. Not long
ago he strongly condemned Russia for
its treatment of the Jews, but he un-
derstands fully the meaning of the
present conflict. He knows there is
no connection between Russia's heart
less treatment of the Jews and the
Japanese cause. He knows why and
to what extent England is back of
Japan. Mr.. Davitt therefore candidly
says that his sympathy and that of all
true Irishmen is with the cars coun-
try. He says that it is not at all likely
that England will openly take sides
with Japan. That would mean the GER
tain loss of India to the British, and
this would be too high price to pay
for helping heather nation like Japan
10 l1umiliate Christian nation like
Russia. No, England had quite
enough of war in South Africa for the
present generation. She will cheer the
Japs on to the task she herself shrinks
from facing.
Discussing Europe's opinion of
American sympathy for Japan, Mr..
Davitt says:
"The sentiment in Europe, speaking
candidly, is that you allow yourselves
to be led by the nose from London, as
usual. Nearly all the correspondents
in the Far East are Englishmen, and
you take your news and your views
from London, as you did largely during
the South African war. The English
would like to use you as she does
Japan. to pull the chestnuts out of the
fire for them.
Gas one who is just as much an
American at heart as anybody who has
lived over here all his life, I must say
l can see no good that can accrue to
this country from the war in the East.
Especially should be deplored any at
tempt on the part OF the press or a
section Of it to influence public opin-
ion in America against Russia. The
tzar's people are among the oldest and
stanchest friends OF this country
among the nations of the world, and
there are some things one should look
back Upon"
Is ii not unworthy the intelligence
OF the American people that they
should be justly liable to such criti-
cism. We should not allow ourselves
to be misled by press which is OBJ
viously engaged in fighting England's
battles. Any one at all conversant
with the history of European politics
knows the cause and object of the
war. The Anglo-American press would
have us believe that Russia has already
seized Upon Manchuria a large pro-
vince OF China but such is not thc'casc.
In 1893 Russia obtained certain corr
cessions from China in the way OF a
lease for twenty-five years of a small
portion of Chinese territory and the
right to extend the Siberian railway to
the Pacific ocean. Russia has done
nothing contrary to the terms of that
agreement China has made no, com
plant. Japan was not invaded or
Threatened. England, however. saw
| Russia about to get to the open sea
and immediately commenced a CAM
paign of trouble making. England has
maintained the Turk in Europe in Or
der to keep Russia away from the sea
on the south. For many years Eng
, land has planned and schemed i'll order
to keep the Muscovites from the open
ocean. In 1855 England and France
helped Turkey against Russia, and the
Turk staid in Europe in order to keep
Russia ont OF Constantinople. In 1873
Russia marched through the Turkish
armies to the walls Of that city. and
again the Christian nations with Eng
land at their head said that the Turk
must remain i'll Europe anil that no
European power should be allowed to
pass its war vessels through the Oar
danclles without the consent OF Tur-
key and all the great powers. This
provision, of course, was aimed at
Russia-shc must not be allowed free
road to the ocean. Since then. Russia
although still longingly looking in the
direction of Constantinople, has turned
her attention to the task of gaining an
ice-free port on the Pacific. She has
constructed more than 6,ooo miles Of
railroad across Asia at an immense
cost. and at last has foothold upor
the ocean. All Europe opposed hel
when she attempted to drive the Turl
r 4 ~