The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-05
CAN 7 STOP WAR
Why Russia Can't Let
Powers Intervene.
Fall OF Port Arthur An 0min0us Blow
Signal Victory Necessary For The
Russians to Recover From lis
Effects
Effects
BY JOHN CALvAN oLAUGHLlN.


Russia will make peace in her own
way, and in her own time. cries the
Russian government
why should we make peace now,
The officials continue when we have
not UP TO this time been prepared 10
fight. Port Arthur's surrendef regret
table as il is, has an advantageous side
Ii has been Il dangerous lode stone,
which has been attracting It's to our
destruction. Now that it is in Japa-
nese hands. il need not necessarily be
our objective. We may strike toward
Korea. The possession, consequently.
of two points, toward either one Of
which we may move, will cloud Japa-
nese diVination Of our movements, and
inure to the profit of kuropatkin."
This optimistic colorinG OF q disaster
which is admittedly one of the GraVeSt
that Russia could suffer in the Far
East, is only used by tho officials in
their public description of the historic
| canvass hat their country and Japan
are making. The fall of Port Arthur
is one Of the most ominous blows
that could be inflicted upon Russian
prestige, and its effect upon China and
Central Asia no one can fOreteli. There
are many Russians who believe that
the Chinese are only waiting 10 see
which side is certain to win wher
If they mold back now, it will be be-
| cause Japan re-enforced by other
nations, advises against L. At least,
this is the view held in st. Petersburg.
China EayOrS Japan.
There has never been any question
in RuSsia'S mind that China was keer
for Japanese victory. The Picking
government knew. and is aware today,
that il Russia We're to defeat Japan,
Manchuria will be forever lost To the
Chinese throne. ON the other hand,
| If japan be the victor there is at least
: q chance that Manchuria will he re-
stored To China. These considera-
tons have naturally had an inliu-
| enCe upon China'S policy
Upon the advice Of the powers, par
ticularly that given by the United
| States, China has refrained from tax
| ing any action hostile TO either beili-
gcrent. The Russians have not always
| been satisfied with her neutrality. They
! have bitterly resented the demon
| STATIONS which Chinese troops made
| upon the frontier of the zone Of hos
| tilities, defined by international agree
| ment, and they have believed that
| Chinese soldiers were enlisted in the
| bands OF Chung Chuzcs, which have
| served as Japanese irreguIafs. ana
| caused ;hc Russian army consider
| able annoyance The supmeness OF
| China III falling TO insist upon The
| return by Japan of the DESTROYER
| EeShitelry, which had sought refuge
| in Chefoo. and was towed out by Iapa
| nese torpedo ooars, created IL storm
! OF indienaticn which was partially al
| layed by recognition Of the inviolaDil-
| ity OF the cruiser .&skold Switch sought
! refuge IN the harbor og Shanghai l.
| was fortunate for the neutrality OF
| China and perhaps for the whole
! 10 ,1-t ~
| seize the Askold.
| IF Japan again violate the rights Of
| g neutral port" declared the Russian
authorities, this might compel us no
| longer to consider the neutrality on
| the whole Chinese empire. which
| would without doubt, have q most
| regrettable effect upon the conditions
| Of affairs in the Far East.
And then TO China was unoAlcially
| addressed this threat:
THE greater the difficulties placed
] in our way by China breaking her
| neutrality, the more pitiless will be
| the retribuion. China should re-
| member 1900, and should not consider
| lightly the antagonism of the popula-
| ton toward foreigners. The blows
| which threaten her in case she inter-
feres in The war will be far heavier
| than those she has suffered
Spreading Russian Views.
In ORDER to minimize the effect of
| japanese victories. measures were
taken to acquajnt the Chinese people
with the Russian view of the situa-
| ton. y paper was established in
| Picking, which gave in Chinese the
news developments as seen by Rus
| slams. Agents were dispatched to
| various points to conteract statements
| made in behalf of the Japanese. Every
| thing has been done, in fact, to main
tain Russian prestige IN the eyeSt of
| the Celestials.
This activity on the part Of the Rus
| slams shows their appreciation Of the
! power and Importance of the Chinese.
| It has been repeatedly pointed out that
| China has sent hundreds Of young
men to Japan for military instruction,
who. on their return TO their native
country, Will be given positions in The
army corresponding to the instruction
| received.
Further compiled tons" the West is
warned, may arise between Europe
and Asia, which will make the present
war look like child's play"
Russia has ever considered it her
mission 20 ciyilize the Chinese. and has
regarded herself as the bulwark be-
tween the so-called yellow peril" ana
White civilization. If she fails to gain
Il signal victory over the Japanese,
her mission will terminate and the
respect for her as a barrier against
the people of Asia will TO a large eX-
tent disappear
1t is these considerations which
force Emperor Nicholas 10 continue
he war in spite of the grave disad-
Vartages under which his armies are
laboring. When they have won q sub
stantidl victory, which will restore her
prestige i'll far Eastern eyes, there
can be talk of peace. But can she,
with any credit to herself, her officials
ask, accept now the mediation of a
third power when at the outbreak Of
the war she declared that mo peace
ful intervention can meet with sue
cess, and that She world 'nof admit