Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-23
Japan and Russia.

Despite the meagerness of details in the
dispatches today from Russia it is evident
from a few indications that the revolt
which led to Sundays massacre at the
capital is widespread At Sevastopoi, on
the Black sea, the admiralty works OF the
government naval establishment of great
size and value, are in flames, presumably
the work of the mob. At Warsaw the
railroad station is burning and consider
able portion of the track has been destroy =
ed also the work of the mob. In the eau
casus if unconfirmed reports are true. a
union between Christian and Mahometan
subjects of the czar for riotous purposes
has been formed with serious results
These are only three points in the vast
empire but they suffice to point to the
possibilities of a revolutionary movement.
The truth becomes glaringly apparent that
the cars people are homogeneous only IN
their sufferngs at the hands of the govern
ment and their desire for change. Jews.
Christians and Mahometans, Poles, Firms,
Caucasians and the Slavs themselves-are
all today straining in the leash to reach
tyranny with the crude weapons that a
watchful system has left to them.
Compare this condition, a great empire
dissolving into its component parts for the
the state of Japan, Russia's opponent in the
field, Japan is compact, homogeneous in
the best sense, patriotic, united in purpose
and enthusiastic over the war. Its people
are offering themselves freely for service
Its women are assuming the labors of the
fields that the men may fight.
Every day since the war with Russia be-
gan has increased the prestige of the Jap
anese emperor with his subjects. And. on
the other hand every day has lessened that
of the car with the common people of Rus
STA Yesterday brought about what is likely
to prove its utter disappearance. Inc
Little Father has failed his children.
Why this contrast? Because the Japanese
empire stands for progress and enlighten-
ment, and the Russian empire for retro
gression and ignorance. Because Japan
though retaining the form of imperial gov
eminent has adopted the principles of rep
resentative government, and has admitted
the people to a share in the administration
of affairs, while Russia, though closer In
touch with western civilization and in per-
feet understanding of western ideals, holds
tenaciously to the long-refuted doctrine
of the divine right of kings and the prin-
ciple of autocratic rule.
Japan is fighting in the Far East for civ
iliZaton, Russia for benighted SelfiShness
Japan is fighting to prevent the partition of
China between Russia and it's rapacious al
lies. And it may prove in the end that ia
pan is fighting for the suffering masses Of
Russia those widely distinct classes of peo-
pie whose only common thought is that of
revolt against the tyranny of government.
1t would. indeed, be one of the marvels of
history if this newcomer in the family of
nations. only fifty years emerged from the
darkness of eastern conservatism, should
prove to be the agency for the rescue of
the Russian people from their terrible
plight. Yet yesterdays massacre at ST.
Petersburg and the war events of the past
year indicate the strong probability of this
result.