Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-23
EUROPE AND THE WAR.

of battle in the Orient, either on
land or sea, other events, in which the
European nations are concerned, are
happening speedily and two possibili-
ties begin to show above the horizon.
One of these is that some of the Euro
pean powers will become involved in
the war which is now an affair be-
tween Japan and Russia The other
is that if Japan wins in the present
struggle. the victory will mean cru
SADIE on the part of the millions of peo-
pie in Asia, to carry out the spirit of
the cry asia for the Asiatics." This
watchword has, in former days, kept
foreigners away from Oriental trade.
but until the present war started, there
was much hope that the prejudice
would be dispelled soon, and for all
time Japan's victories over the Rus
SLAMS, however, are beginning to en-
courage the Asiatics, and some proph-
cts and reliable observers of world af-
fairs assert that the damage is al
ready done.
The trade in the Orient, which lis
shared by several of the more power
full countries of Europe. together with
the United States, is a very profitable
trade. Millions on millions of people
are over there on that far continent,
waiting to be fed, clothed. amused by
foreigners, and the foreign merchants
are anxious to supply their wants. The
United States already has a good trade
in China and Japan. So has Germany
and France, and England. England
controls in large measure the trade
with India, though other nations get in
on parts of the markets even there. 1t
has not been long since the business
men of America and several of the
European countries would have re-
garded suggestion of a heavy Asiatic
trade as wild dream, but now it is a
fact and if it were taken away by a
closing of Asiatic ports to foreign
trade the loss would be felt in every
part of the civilized world. And this
is true even though the Asiatic trade
is only beginning to develop. A few
more years without Intervention on
the part of the Asiatics themselves
would mean a great increase in the
imports and corresponding increase
in the profits to the foreigners.
But just at this time, when it Is be.
COllllu6 pooSlDl0 W oCS IllS SplSuulu lS-
suits that can be achieved by enter.
prising work among the Orientals
they themselves raise the cry, Asia
for the Asiatics.' 1t is not to be won.
dered at, this fear that foreign com.
mercial invasion will result in ultimate
conquest of arms. Russia has had Port
Arthur, England, Wei-Hai- Wei France
has Indo-China, Germany has ports all
in Chinese territory The show of
strength that has been brought about
by the present war has not been lost
upon the Asiatics and they are begin.
ming to think Of modern methods OF
defense The old-styled wall cities, on
which they have depended for many
generations are now out of date. 1t is
necessary that they make better pro
visions if they would withstand the
forward march of the foreign DEVILS
so they have begun training their men
in the rudiments of war. The smoke
of battle, waited by the wind, has
drifted across the plains of Manchuria
all the way to Pekin and the rulers OF
the Chinese are impressed with the
importance of war and the need for
defense. German and English officers
have taught the Chinese the theory of
war and the best methods of drilling
Like the Japanese, they are able to
initiate their teachers and China, once
the need for men was established
would prove a formidable enemy on
the field of battle. With her millions to
draw upon she could overwhelm al
most any invading force, no matter
how skilfully generated or how well
drilled. The plan now on foot in
China is to have its army officered by
Japanese veterans and that the plan
is not in the making but in the course
of execution is shown by the heavy
attendance in the new military schools
and various practical educational insti
tutions.
Asia for the Asiatics" doesn't
sound as we'll to the Yankee ear, as
American manufactures are sold
around the world" But if the present
condition of affairs continues and
Japan defeats Russia, there is every
likelihood that China and Japan will
form defensive alliance which will
defy the efforts of the most enterpris
Ing foreign business man, and will
close their doors forever to the for
eigners
It is not hard to see, as further de
Il H.. l.