Morris tribune., 1905-01-07
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PORT ARTHUR.

The SIGNIFICANCE OF PORT ARTHUR.
Port Arthur has been the foundation OF
Russia's dream of empire In the Far East, says
the Pioneer Press. There might be Russian
occupation of Manchuria without it, but it is
safe to say that there will not be. The fall of
that series of citadels probably puts end
forever to Russian domination in Northern
China even if it does not put an end to the
dream of it. For Japan will not give up that
position again. She will not be asked again
to relinquish it. Eager Russia, Germany
and France may be to bring about relinquish-
ment the world fixes limits to national audacty
beyond which even the great powers do not care
to go. Japan's position in the world and before
the eyes of the world is not that which she oc-
cupied at the end of her war with China a de-
cade ago. The position of the Far East is not
what it was then. The opinion not only of the
United States but of the world understands to-
day more thorouly the significance of the Far
East, the Importance of the Lao Tung PENN
sua in that problem and it's meaning to Japan.
Japan in the meantime has risen from the posi-
ton of third-rate to that of frst-rate power,
Aside from this, the moral opinion of mankind.
linquishment of the peninsula and the victim
of Russia's far-seeng duplicity, would not toler-
ate that the fruits of double victory, won by
a devotion as splendid as to border the
fanatica should be torn from the victor. It's
practical sense would not tolerate settlement
that means the continuous threat of in the
Far East when righteous settlement means
probable pease.
The bearings of Japanese possession of
Port Arthur on the and on the destinies of
the Far East is one of those matters concerning
which speculation is not altogether idle. That
with it's harbor admirably adapted
to naval purposes and surrounded by circles of
hills whose military possibilities Russia has
demonstrated has been likened to a dagger
pointing to the heart of Japan. 1t may also be
lkened to the key of the Far East. In the
strategic center dominating the gulf of Pechill
and the Yellow sea, and affording a base for
operations against Japan, Korea, Northern
China and the German possesssons in Shant-
ing province. Without it, Russia's possessions
of an ce-free port at Dainy would be imposs-
ible except with the consent and the terms
of the power holding it. Without Dalny the
excuse for control of the Manchurian railway
aud through it of Manchuria is destroyed
Without it Russia's Eastern Asiatic ambitions
must be confined to Eastern Siberia at
most to the region of the Amur OF, to more or
less direct attack on the Chinese empire proper
thru the wastes of Mongolia.
Under the circumstances we may expect
not only that Japan will held Port Arthur, but
it will convert it as Russiardid into a fortress
all but impregnable. Itis even probable that
it will be made even stronger than. Russia
made it, not only because the Japanese are
more likely to show superior efficiency in the
art Of preparing its defenses and because they
will be able to profit by Russia's experience but
because the holding of the fortress is vital to
Japan, whereas to Russia it was only an Incl
dent of useless and costly ambition.