The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-02
From the New York World.

ZNN EW persons understand what the T row between Russia and Japan is about and how it comes that an island nation, with population of A, 26O, 606 and 655 square miles of territory, should dare trial of strength with a compact empire with a population of 129 OO4, ,514 and S,63O,395 square miles of territory, not to speak of the great disparity in size of the Russian and Japanese armies and navies. Ever since united Europe prevented Rus sia from getting an ice-free seaport and made the Sultan guardian to the entrance to the Black sea, the Russians have turned their faces eastward, seeking by means of the vast Trans-Siberian railway an ice-free seaport in Asia.
 Meantime Japan, weary of her isolation as an island empire. soyght to gain a foothold on the mainland of Asia by se- curing an ascendancy over Korea, an un- military and empty-handed hermit nation Of about 100000 inhabitants. occupying a mountainous peninsula of S5, 900 square miles, which reaches southward from Manchuria between the Yellow sea and the Japan sea China and Japan both
 
 people.
 In order to assert her position Japan provoked a war with China in 1894 and | drove the Chinese army out of Korea. She also landed an army corps in Man I churia and conquered the province of Liaotong, which contains Port Arthur, Tallenwsn-both military strongholds on 1 ba t1,a rio and Tartar capital, Mukden.
 China sued for peace. In the negotia- I tions which followed she ceded to Japan rot only the island of Formosa, but the Manchuria Province of Liaotong. This province reaches from the north of Korea to the Gulf of Pechili the sea threshold I of the route to Picking.
 l It exactly suited the swiftly expanding ambitions of Japan. It placed Korea l helpessly between her territorial from tiers. gave her the greatest military and naval stronghold in Asia-Port Arthur and brought her within striking distance of the capital of China. The Japanese were delirious with pride.
 l At this point Russia, supported by France and Germany, refused to allow Ja- pan to take the province which she had conquered, and which had been ceded to her. Japan roared with anger, but sub- l mitted.
 Later on Russia built a branch of her | Trans-Siberian railway to Port Arthur, l which she leased from China. Gradually 1 Russian troops were moved into Man l churia Russian officials really admins tered the government of the country, al- though China was nominally sovereign.
 Today Russia occupies and has virtually | annexed the province out of which she busted Japan only eight years ago. She has a viceroy. Admiral Alexieff at Port l Arthur.
 This situation has aroused Japan to a high pitch of fury. She wants revenge and vndication. She cannot bear the sight of the Russian flag flying over terri tory once hers by the right of conquest. Besides this, Russia has steadily en- croached on Japan's influence in Korea and has shown a disposition to secure territory and seaports from that nation The Russians have thus far baffied the | plans of Japan in Korea, which, it is as- stunned, aim at ultimate annexation. In other words, Russia has forced Japan to confine herself to her islands.
 The ocupation and virtual annexation of Manchuria by Russia is recognized as a violation of pledges given by the Russian government. She was asked by the Unit ed States to withdraw her army from Manchuria and promised to do it on cer- tain day. Japan, too. insisted upon the evacuation. On the day named Russia failed to withdraw, and to show her atti- tude her vceroy on the same day paraued a great army at Port Arthur. with ban ners, music and every symbol of rejoicing.
 Japan seeks to force Russia to retire from Manchuria and to recognize Korea as a Japanese sphere of influence" The negotiations have gone on for long time. It has been hoped that some compromise would be reached.
 To strengthen her position Japan made A treaty of alliance with Great Britain in February. 1902. in which the two countries agreed to do everything necessary to maintain the independence and territorial integrity of China and Korea, and also agreed, in case war should ensue. that if other powers should join the aggressor in hostilities against one of the contracting parties. the other should go to its assist ance.
 Japan is said to have sent an ultimatum 10 Russia, and it Is announced that unless Rusgsl complies by January war will follow. Both statements. however, have been denied officially.
 The whole Japanese army on-.a war footing amounts to only 474,170 officers and men. while the war strength of the Russian army is 5.si7.7Os officers and men in time of peace Japan has an army oi 14..77o soldiers. while Russia has always more than 100000 men under arms.
 The Japanese navy consists of 5S war ships and s6 torpedo boats. while Russia has lis warships and 226 torpedo boats and torpedo destroyers. The Japaness navy carries $40 heavy guns and 1912 sec ondary and machine guns. The Russian navy carries 672 heavy guns and 1926 sec l ondary and machine guns.
 | Japan has 8 first class battleships,