The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-02-09
SYMPATHY is WITH JAPAN.

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doubtless with Japan for two rea-
sons: First, because Japan is the
weaker nation, and, second, she is
demanding the open door in Manchu-
ria, something which every commercial
nation wants. No doubt efforts will
be made to have Russia and Japan
patch up their differences. Indeed, ii
is reported that England and France
haye already taken steps in that di-
rection. There is no reason, however,
for thinking they will accomplish the
object aimed at. Japan is determined
to force Russia TO comply with the
demands which she has made upon her,
if she can.
AS to whether she can or not there
is a difference of opinion among those
who know the military strength of the
Japanese and of the Russians, and
also the general characteristics Of the
however, is that Japan will find it inn
possible to overcome Russia's superior
ity in population, wealth and military
strength. 1t is admitted, however. that
Japan will make a great fight until
she is exhausted.
1t is expected that the opening
scenes of the war will be in Corea, and
off the coast of that country. 1t is
thought that Japan will at once pro-
coed to take possession of Corea and
that Russia will attack her there.
The initiatory fight may be on the sea,
and in a sea fight Japan stands a
good chance to be victorious. The
feet of Japan and the Asiatic fleet of
Russia are at the present time not
very far apart. The former is supposed
to be near Weiheiwei, the Asiatic ma
val station of Great Britain, and the
Russian fleet is just outside of Port
Arthur.
Neither power is equipped for a long
war as far as finances are concerned.
While Japan isn't in debt as Russia
is, it is doubtful if she could borrow
a large amount of money except from
her own people. But the fact must be
taken into consideration that Japan
can carry on a war with remarkable
economy. Her soldiers can live upon
small rations, and if the scene of the
war is in Corea they can subsist up
on the country. 1t would be impos-
sible for Russian soldiers to get along
without meat, and that isn't to be had
in Cerea. 1t would have to be taken
there, and that. too, from a far distant
point.
Russias borrowing power is pretty
nearly exhausted. 1t was recently
stated in one of the London papers
that she owed the people of France
fully $1,000. 100000. 1t is evident she
couldn't get any more money from
France.
II is a matter of Importance as to
what effect the war will have upon
this country. The impression seems
to be that IL will depress business and
force down the prices of securities.
continue to be prosperous and our in
dustrial plants have all the orders
they can fill there is no good reason
why there should be depression in
our securities. 1t may be said that
the fear that European nations will
become involved in the war will
cause our securities held abroad to be
sent home in order to turn them into
cash. But why wouldn't there be a
desire to hold on to our securities If
the outlook was that they would suffer
no depreciation?
The price of cotton may be affected
unfavorably because the demand for
cotton goods in the Far East market
will probably fall off, but there will
be an increased demand for our pro-
visions. Both the Russian and the Jap
anese armies will depend upon us to
some extent for supplies, Except in
the matter of cotton, therefore, there
doesn't seem to be any reason for
thinking that war between Russian
and Japan will affect any of our in
terests injuriously.
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defeat at the beginning of the war,
particularly on the sea, it is probable
the war would come to an early end
Other powers would interfere to bring
about a settlement and would insist
upon Japan's accepting terms they
would make, but if Japan should be
victorious in the beginning it would
be impossible to get her to accept any
other settlement than the granting of
the demands she has been making up
on Russia.