Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-05-11
RUSSIA AND JAPAN
Estimate OF Opposing Forces by
Chinese Paper

Estimate of Opposing Forces by
Chinese Paper
A recent issue of the "Shanghai
Times" published in Shanghai,
China, in discussing the progress
of the war between Japan aud
Russia, says:
Nations are much like individ-
uals in haracter-some are tyran-
nical, others free and independent /;
some prosperous, others dissOlute !;
some licentious, others free from
excess; some voluptuous, Others
sober; some voracious, others with
out ravenous greed. In this sor-
didly commercial age seldom does
an individual achieve greatness
without money; nation, never.
OF the vOraciOus nations of the
world Russia occupies a conspicu-
Gus place. Russia possesses real
estate, and if it be true that the
source of all wealth comes from the
soil, Russia is rich indeed. Her
land may be imperfectly cultivat-
ed, poorly titled, the promising re-
sources of her vast area latent aId
undeveloped, yet her extensive
territory constitutes the asset of
national greatness.
The almost bOundless region of
Ru. sian territory does not appease
Russian cupidity, Russian greed.
She wants more; she wants China.
1t is this Unsuitable and unappeas-
ed longing for more that has
brought war ipwhich the detonat-
ing guns of Japanese warships are
heard off Port Arthdr and Vladivo-
stock.
The area of Russia Is only ex-
ceeded by the area of the British
Empire. The area Of the British
Empire is IL, l46, OS4 square miles;
that of the Russian Empire is
8, $50, 395 square miles. The pos
sessions of the British Empire are
scattered over the wide world
those of Russia are cOmpact-s:e
is without possession in foreign
seas and beneath alien skies. She
is an inland power, practically
without sea acquisitions and unless
she takes Korea in this war, with.
out sea accretlons. The destruc-
ton of the entire Russian navy,
including the dismantling of the
gunboat Mandjour in the neutral
port of Shanghai, while it would
rob her of making offensive on
slaughts on japanese commerce in
these waters and japanese ports,
does not menace and jeopardize
Russia's inland possessions.
The population of the Russian
Empire is 100, OO4, 79S; that OF
European Russia is 1872, 92O,O53.
Major w. r. Hamilton, Artillery
Corps, United States Army, places
the Russian Army on peace foot
ing at 1,O78,458. In time of wal
Russia could easily place in the
field 100000 men providing, OF
course, that she had the means to
equip them. Her vast territory,
thinly populated in places and
poorly developed as it undoubtedly
is, would justify the presumption
that she can equip such a vast
army to preserve the integrity OF
the nation, and this, too, notwith'
standing the official corruption
that exists in the land.
There are internal dissensions
in Russia. The people have long
felt the burdens and injustice OF
the despotic government, autocrat.
ic and cruel, robbing the individ
ual of freedom of thought and
liberty of action. But history il
replete with incidents where peo'
pie ground down and suffering
great wrongs by despotic rulers,
which have famed the fi.es of up
rising and civil rebellion, have raj
lied to the SUP port of those rulers
on threatened invasion of the
country by an enemy. Russia and
her many millions of population
can live on the resources Of the
country, not requiring the product
of other countries for subsistence
In this respect she is similarly
situated to the United States
Unlike Russia, Japan is circum
scribed; circums cribed in te ritory
in population, in resources. Prior
to the cripp!ing of the Russian
feet, of the two countries, Japar
unquestionably was the more vul'
nerable to attack. Unlike Russis
she is an island empire. And un
like Russia her government is hon
est and liberal and her people in
tenseIy patriotic. If, as DIR. John
son says, patriotism is selfishness
the japanese are selfish; selfish Of
their homes, of their families, OF
their holidays, of their callings, Of
their communities, of their nation
al life. The japanese are happy
in the unity of national unifica
ton they are one in heart, one II
mind, and one in purpose. There
is their strength.
Japan has an area OF l41 ,OO'
square miles. The area of TIT
United Kingdom, including Eng
land, Wales, Scotland, Ireland ant
smaller islands, is l20,9 square
miles with population of Al, sos,
III. The population of Japan il
"A, 2eO, 6O4. The total war strength