Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-30

was quite at home there The administra-
ton of the vast region was Russian, and 1t
was very fair administra ton, too. better
than China had ever given the country dur
ing her nominal supremacy. Russia was
pressed for declaration of her intentions.
She replied that they were honorable Gas 1t
were) but she continued to stay. Japan
argued that she had practically violated
China's territorial integrity. that she had
her eyes fixed on Korea, and that with
Russia once in possession of this vast
country Japan's very national existence
would be threatened.
Russia promised to evacuate Manchuria.
1t was to be done in one-third sections at
intervals of six months. In 1903 she for
mally notified China that the country had
never been pacified since the Boxer rebel
lion, and that it was impossible for her to
move out.
From the moment of this declara ton the
Russo-Japanese war was inevitable 1t had
been brewing since 1895. The negotiations
between Russia and Japan dragged along
till February Of 1904. when diplomatic re-
lations were suddenly broken and the jan
anese attack was launched on the Russian
Warsh1pS Fariag and the Korietz in the
harbor of Chemulpo, followed Immediately
by the japanese attack on Port Arthur the
next day. From that time to the present
there has been no break in the chain of
Japanese victories.
Encouragement Of Affairs.
This brings to a close one chapter of The
Japan by the agreement of Portsmouth
gets protectorate over Korea. This, ac-
cording to many, will mean the admins
tration Of the country by Japan with a pup
pet sovereign on the throne as powerless as
any of the nominally ruling princes OF In
dia. Russia will evacuate Manchuria 1t
Will be restored to it's weak Chinese adj
ministration, and whether that will lead to
disorders and the necessity for the inter-
vention of the powers remains to be seem
Port Arthur and the surrounding country
passed by lease to Japan. Sakhalin Island
remains neutral territory. neither side be-
Ing allowed to fortify its half Of the big
island so that 1t will be military menace
neither to the coasts of Japan nor to .he
Russian mainland. The Chinese Eastern
railroad from Port Arthur to Hardin will
be surrendered to China by agreement with
Japan. and Russia will lose her concessions
In and around Newchwang. The fishing
rights along the Russian shore from Vladf-
vostock to the Boring sea are granted 20
Japan. Russia does not surrender her war
ships informed in neutral ports. She does
not limit her naval power in the Pacific,
and, most important of all to her she does
not pay any indemnity so that Japan will
not be freed from the expense entailed sy
the war. and will not be able to use the
money obtained for increasing her arma-
ment In expectation OF further trouble.
Such is the situation in the far east az
the result of an almost two years struggle
between the two great powers. 1t Is in re-
iittic iuoTe imam RUSSIA progressed her.
SELF ready to grant to Japan during the
negotiations that proceeded the war The
difference is that at that time Russia was
looked upon by Japan and the world at
large as an almost overwhelming power
that would or would not keep her engas e-
ments as best fitted her convenience The
war has shown that an agreement can be
forced from her, and there Is little pros
pect that all the arrangements OF the con-
templated treaty will not be scrupulousIy
kept.
Both Heavily in Debt.
The war ends with both nations heavily
involved in debt. Russia has been warned
by European bankers that she could have
no more money for war, but that she could
get practically as much as she wanted II
peace were declared. She is an fmmenseIv
rich country in her possibilities. She has
a great gold reserve that has not been
touched by the war. and her church gold.
amounting to hundreds Of millions more
Will OF course not be touched for internal
development. but Is a strong guarantee of
her potentialities If she should become In
VOWED in another war
Japan has strained both her internal and
International credit almost to the utmost.
Her customs are hypothecated and she haa
not received from Russia the financial in
uemnity that would have lifted from her
shoulders the burden of the war and left
ner free Tor fresh expansion and develop
ment. At the same time. in spite or her
financial burden, those who know Japan be-
neve that the development will come.
Sne mas In Korea a great territory of i'm
mense and undeveloped wealth. She was
already really paramount in the countrv
before war was declared or the foreien
population there were 10000 Japanese In
Korea against 5000 Chinese The other
foreign aea g., nations tons hardly counted. There
country, and they were engaged In mining
and introducing electric light and power
plants Her exports and imports have
heretofore been small, amounting to less
than 100000 In exports almost altosether
OF raw material and food stufYs In 1909.
But 1t is country that has gold silver and
iron In abundance, and which in its north
ern section Is capable Of raising great crops
of barley. millet and oats, and in its south
ern fertile benches produces cotton, to-
bacco, rice and food stuffs
Japan is in a position to develop Korea's
material resources and draw on her for a
great deal of the raw material which as a
manufacturing nation she must have to
compete in the trade of the orient. Jap
anese administration has also kept pace
with the war in Manchuria, and she has in
addition to laying down network of light
railways for military purposes, seen to the
planting of grain and oil beans. two of the
great staples of the country, 30 that the
close OF the war will find Manchuria In
very fair way to continue her role as q
great granary for the far east.
Open-Door Policy.
The Russo-Jap treaty Of course inclhdes
stipulation to observe the policy Of the
open door. But it is believed by those who
have kept track of oriental affairs that
Japan will henceforth be master OF the
situation. She is In q position to duplicate
EngIands success as manufacturing Is
land and has more material advantages than
England had when her great career OF de-
velopment began. Japan has water power.
cheap labor and community of interests.
almost of tongue. with China. and It Will
be hard for any nation to compete with