The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-09-23
VOL. XVIII.
What Japan Secures.

As might have been expected, the
world is too much engrossed In ad-
miration of the successful diplomacy
of Wittc and the unparalleled and
unexpected success OF President
Roosevelt's efforts In behalf of peace
to speculate much on what Japan
has actually gained as Il result of the
war. 1t Is seen. OF course. that she
has lost the entire cost Of the strug-
gle. and has contcnted herself with
one-half of the island OF Sakhalin
when she might have had the whole,
but when all the congratulations are
said and people have had time to
carefully analyze the peace agreement,
it wfll be found that Japan has gain
ed much more, in fact, than she claim
ed or even hoped to secure when she
went to war with Russia eighteen
months or more ago.
While Japan has surrendered her
claim for indemnity and to the north
ern half of Sakhalin Island, she has
acquired the complete domination
over and control of Corea. 1t is true
that she is bound by treaty to respect
the rights of the presentl,orean roy
nj family and respect also the integ-
fity of the country, but there IL no
Limitation upon how she shall rule 1t
or how she shall exploit Its resources.
Henceforth, to all intents and pur-
poses Corea is vassal and province
Of Japan. Anyone who considers for
u moment the overcrowded condition
of the Japanese islands and remem-
beers the thrifty and industrious char
acteristics of the Japanese, will readi-
" see what great gain to the Jap
anese Empire the acquisition Of this
rich and extensive province means.
1t will AFFORD ample room for the sur
plus japanese population and furnish
abundant opportunities to the thrifty
to exploit Its undeveloped resources.
In the next place Japan acquires
the absolute possession for an indefi-
mite period OF time OF the Liao-Tung
Peninsula. upon which are situated
the fine harbors of Dalney and Port
Arthur, both connected by railroad
with the interior Of Manchuria and
China as well. BY the possession OF
these ports, defended as they will be
by the reconstructed Notifications OF
Por. Arthur, Japan will largely con-
troll the trade OF Manchuria and North
China, even the policy Of the open
door is maintained there by Il treaty
with Russia, as well as a general I'M
Outstanding with all the other
Powers.
Japan also secures through the
treaty confirming, OF course. her ac-
tual possession by conquest OF the
Manchurian Railroad. extending from
Hardin to Dalney. 1t Is true that
she is under obligation to cede this
line to China when China Is ready to
pay for it, but there. IL opportunity
for realizing a neat sum out OF III
sale, which will help not little tt
liquidate the costs OF the war.
Japan has also opened up the who'll
of Nanchuria to the trade OF TIT
world, and forced Russia to with
draw entirely from the province
While all nations will be able to trad
In the ancient province OF China oil
even terms, Japan, because OF he
special facilities, will undoubtedi,
get the lions share of the trade
Finally, the Japanese have acquire
the best OF Russian fighting ships b
capture or salvage, and have also Sc
cured the right to fish on the Sibcr
an littoral northward from vlad
vostok.
In view OF all these acquisition
who can say that Japan has nc
profited enormously 10y the war. eve
II she has failed to secure the linden
nifty she demanded. 1t is even doub
full II she could ever have compelle
the payment on an indemnity ha
the war been prolonged. There ar
therefore, people who fall to see
what japan has suffered by the
suit of the Portsmouth conferenc
even though Russia has escaped Il
thing she feared the most. namel
the payment OF indemnity.-New q
leans Picayune.