Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-06-18
A Justification of Russia.

tracted to that region in the far east
where mightyEconflict is being waged
involving the destiny of four great and
ancient nations. People naturally
sympathize with the smaller country
before giving the matter careful at
tentlon. This is unjust. Let us be
impartial and weigh facts.
The statement that Russia tried to
prevent war may be questioned by
people having little knowledge of af-
fairs in the East. Proof of this as
sertion lies in the fact that Russia
was unprepared for this struggle. Why
was she unprepared? Confident that
Japan was negotiating for peaceable
understanding with her, she had no
idea that the result would be other
wise than peaceful.
Keeping her promise to China she
half of her troops, an act which dis
proves the assertion that Russia,
desiring to possess both Korea and Man
churia, was bent on the forceful an
nexation of the latter and that
she prolonged negotiations to gain
time to concentrate her troops on
Chinese soil. If she had expected war
she would never have lost her OPP
portunity of quickly ending that war
by evacuating the Chinese province.
Russia is not fighting to crafty her
foes ambition to become renowned
nation. She is at war to defend her
vast interests which it would be fool
hardy to abandon. Unprecedented men
will not deny that Russia, who was
the leader in developing Manchuria,
should hold privileged position in
that great province.
The popular impression that Russia
gained her foot-hold in that territory
by military conquest is very erroneous.
By diplomacy she has gained privi-
leges which she has used in such a
progressive spirit that now, "the
flower of enlightened civilization
blooms throughout land" that was a
wild desolate waste before Russia
gained concessions there. China
voluntarily gave Russia permission to
build a railway through Manchuria.
Russia also built bridges, canals,
roads and cities whose rapid grow tn
have no parallel in the old world and
perhaps not in the new. Dalny and
Hardin are monuments Iof Russian
civilization. These great under
takings cost Russia over 100000.
To have abandoned them at the
menaces of an ambitious nation would
have won for Russia the scornful pity
of the world.
If there had been no menace; il
China had offered sufficient assur-
ances of protection to Russia's in
terests, the latter would have con-
tinued to withdraw her forces. In
accordance with her plan, she nego-
tiated treaty with China to furnish
the required G uarantee.
Because of her failure to complete
evacuation by October eighth, 1908,
Russia is charged with violating this
treaty. But her pledge was qualified
with the condition: elf action of
other powers proves no obstacle there
to-"
Jealousy of Russia's growing in
terests in Manchuria induced the
Japanese government to liken it's posi-
tion in the Korean empire to that of
Russia in the Chinese province. Con-
sent to that plan would have been a
surrender of the principle of Korean
independence for which all the powers
have claimed to stand. Russia S
acknowledgment of China's supre-
macy in Marchuria was followed by
the Port Arthur incident, which has
no parallel excepting the destruction
of the MAINE" at Havana six years
ago.
If Japan should secure the desired
domination in Asia, she would or
ganiZe those countless numbers of
Mongolians into perpetual menace
to all Caucasian nations. The chief
effect on the U. S. would be commerce
al. Japan would have great adj
vantage over us in the matter of dist
ance. Her nearness to Manchuria
would make the "open door, practical
~ useless. Russis. on the other hand,
would be at disadvantage with her
land route against the water route of
the U. S.
Therefore for peace and concord, for
right and justice, for progress and
civilization, and finally for our COM
MERGE and Caucasian supremacy, let
us give our moral support to Russia
and repay her for her sympathy for
us in the dark days of the Civil War.
Let us hope that she will emerge
from the conflict triumphant over the
treacherous Orientals whose motive is
jealousy and whose aim is Monaghan
supremacy.
A New Disease.