The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-03-04
ASPECTS OF THE WAR.
[Cincinnati Enquirerl

So far as military operations are
concerned the war appears to be at a
standstll Developments so far go
to show that Russia was not ready for
the conflict. Not only do the naval
reverses with which she has met indi-
cate a condition of unpreparedness,
but the reported withdrawal of the
main body of the Russian army to
Hardin shows that she had fewer men
in the neighborhood of Port Arthur
than has been generally supposed.
Harbin, a new and tiourishing city,
at the junction of the railroad which
runs down to Port Arthur on the Vel.
low sea, with the main Siberian line
that has its terminus at Vladivostok,
lies nearly four hundred miles north
and east of Port Arthur in the heart
of rich and productive country. II
is in the Russian retreat that the
most danger to the Japanese lies. Had
Japan been able to strike on the land
with the same suddenness and energy
which characterized her attack at sea,
she might have won an equal advan-
tage there, but if it be true that Rus
sia, most dangerous, as Napoleon
found, when retreating, has secured
a position where she can bring her
army up to any number she chooses
and accumulate ample ordnance
stores and supplies, we may expect
later on some demonstration commen-
surate with her overwhelming
strength, strength which, if fully
pat forth, no Power in the world can
resist. One Of Napoleon's often quot
ed sayings after his retreat from Mos.
COW, when the best Russian generals
were said to have been January, Feb.
ruary and March, was that Europe
would become all Republican or all
Cossack. In the book recently publish
ed of his conversations at st. Helena
he is represented by General Gour-
geaud as saying that Russia was like
ly eventually to conquer the world.
Whatever the appearances may be at
the outset, and In whichever direction
our sympathies may turn, it Is not
probable that the developing career
of such Power will be checked and
turned back at its present stage. The
passionate desire Of Russia has long
been for what with all her vast area
she has never had, space on the open
sea, and there Is no holding Man
churia and taking Korea, which, there
is no doubt, she means to do. OF
course Constantinople is open to her
on the other side of the world, and
eventually she will have it, but her
vast Asian possessions demand ample
outlet on the Pacific.
There are some indications that de-
spite Mr.. Hays efforts, and prob
ably the preference of her own govern
ment, China will be drawn into the
struggle. She is well aware that ia
pan, while defending what she be-
lieves to be her own endangered
rights, also stands for the integrity of
China, and as the fighting is most
of 1t likely to be ON her soil it seems
impossible that If 1t continues for
any length of time she will not be.
come involved. While she has prob.
ably not over 10000 trained, effective
soldiers she could immensely barass
the Russians and interrupt their COM
munication by guerrilla warfare Evi-
IDENTIFY the interest of Japan lies in
prompt action, and delay tells for
Russia, and that for the present is
likely to be her policy.
Everything that has been done dur.
ing the past week, including the at.
tempt to conflne the Russian fleet to
hlrhnr nf Apfh ,,.I,i tai
proved at best only partially success.
full, and the reported landing OF Jap
anese troops in the neighborhood OF
yladlvostok, has been on Japan's
| initiative, The present week may
show whether the Russian army is
moving north or whether there is to
be heavy collision in Korea.