The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-02-14

Of her arch enemy. Russia. IF Russia
should take Korea IL would bring the
Northern Bear to he very. portals of
the household Of Japan. on the other
hand, II Japan shouiG- take Korea II
would bring the little yellow man TO
the borders OF MahchUfia. Neither one
can wen afford TO so 90 war over ko-
Fca, or for any other causes neither
can any nation interested in the peace
and future conlmereIaf possibilities in
the Orient willingly consent that war
should grow up between Japan and
Russia over Korea. or from any other
cause. In addition 10 her fine. ice
free harbOrs. which BEssia wants. and
access TO which she is determined TO
have Korea commands the yellow sea
and the Japan sea. and Russia wants
no aggressive power like Japan occu-
pying the position Korea commands.
Korea has fertile fields, genial climate.
unsurpassed fisheries. rich mines. and
room for growth. Japan wants these,
as well Is d place 10 stand to meet the
aggressions Of the Slav. Besides. Ko-
rea In Russian hands means a dagger
pointed at the heart of Japan. IT is
a Iifa-and-death struggle for Japan.
She may be only feinting and diploma
tizing I'm demanding guarantees as to
trade and privileges IN Manchuria and
insisting upon her rights in that prov
ince, although her commercial trans
actions with the people of Manchuria
outweigh those of all other nations
combined: but as 10 Korea. there is
no room for diplomatizing. The vital
importance to Japan Of this peninsula
is realized by the whole people. from
the throne to the Japanese fishermen.
The japanese people are a passionate
may be said or done. there VIII be
war, and desperate war, before ia
pan will willingly consent to seeing
Korea in the possession and control Of
Russia.
International Consequences Of War.
japan wants the integrity Of China
maintained. the control of China in
Mdnchuria re-estabiished, and the
commercial door in the entire empire
kept open. japan is willing to respect
the paramount interests Of Russia in
Manehuria, subject. 10 China's admin
istration, in exchange for Russia's rec
ognfzing the similar paTamcuntcy of
Japanese interests ia Korea. Up to
this time Russia refuses TO accede TO
these demands Of Japan. Behind all
the play and COunterpiay of diplomatic
events. behind all the answers and re-
torts Of strenuous Jan and strenuous
Slav,- behind the alleged seliCitude for
omen doors Korean and Chinese integ-
rity, there pace the 6erce figures of
national ambitions national necessities
and national jeaIousfes- Unless the
world forbid il, Russia and Japan viii
sooner or later by these belligerent
forces be pushed INTO armed combat,
because their interests as nations are
irreconcuab5e and opposing. Either
there must be arbitration and acquies-
cence in the inevitable compromises
suggested by the tribunal of arbitra-
ton or there must BE- war. If war
could. be confined in its operations 20
Japan and Russia the world would
doubtless be less concerned; but in
vOlved in any war in the Orient today
is the possibility Of a worldwide con-
ffagration. in which would be involved
the destinies Of the twentieth century.
IF Russia should wip''-that is the
question that touches profoundly the
English statesmen The supremacy of