The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-01
e Present Condition Of the Gibraltar Of the East,
And the Prospect of It's Restoration by the Japane

from Germany and other European
countries.
In 1894 the Japanese. then at war
with the Chinese empire, stole in
through one of the narrow dehles which
lead through the protesting mountains
and after a bIoodv fight captured the
city and garrison. For two years there
was no one to dispute Japan's authority
in the captured fortress. At the close Of
that period, moved by Russia's gloomy
predictions and China's walls, the al
lied powers that had taken the contract
to clear up the eastern muddle served
notice on the Japanese that they must
restore Port Arthur to its legitimate
owners. The little warriors obeyed re-
luctantly. but before leaving they took
the precaution to destroy the fortifica-
tions.
Two years later Russia, having ca
joled thesChihese government into a Gu
rious agreement sdenonainated a lease"
took possession of the place. The Chi
nese had done little toward rebuilding
the overthrown forts, but the new ten
ants soon began the complete restora-
ton of the fortress upon a scale far
SURPRISING the original design and
made no secret of the cars intention
to make it the Gibraltar of the eastern
world. The ambition of the Muscovites
was so apparent and the negotiation
with China was so farcical that no one
was deceived in the matter The mag
nitude of the Russian scheme of max
ing the place impregnable made the
plea of temporary occupancy absurd
even to the cars illiterate soldiery, and
belief in permanent ownership was
general.
From the moment of Russia's occu-
pancy until the breaking out Of the
present war, period of six years, there
was never any perceptible cessation in
the activity due to Russia's attempt to
make Port Arthur an absolutely safe
center for her long contemplated and
ingenious scheme of Asiatic expansion.
The work was continuous day and
night, and there was no Indication at
any time that economy figured as a
prominent element. The national treas
ury was drained to make Port Arthur
and it's splendid satellite, Dalny, the
center of the Russian dream Of eastern
supremacy. The treasure poured into
this specious enterprise would have
served in the capable and economical
hands Of the japanese to found an en-
pire. Even in the bungling and inedi-
cient hands of the Muscovites it daz-
zles one on account of its immensity.
Failure though 1t be. it was a mighty
conception.
This is the ruined heritage into which
the fortunes of war have indicted the
victorious Japanese. No other nation
on the earth is capable Of keener ap-
probation of the mockery of the situa-
ton. It is not only that the boasts and
threats of the hated aggressor have
been silenced, but the places where he
stood have crumbled into dust. To the
sober and abstemious japanese, accus-
toned as he is to count the cost OF ev-
erything, the shattered and worthless
evidences OF Russian prodigality which
lie at his feet must temper the joy Of
victory with the sensible regret which
waste inspires. He it is who knows
best of all how nearly impregnable his
foes succeeded in making their Gibral-
tar. and he It Is who best realizes the
cost of demonstrating the hollowness Of
the boast.
A year ago the world could not have
foretold Japan's policy in regard to the
occupation of Port Arthur Today 4
has been made wiser, and 1t believes
that the course OF the wonderful little
orientals, whatever its detail may de-
velop. will be marked by great dignity
and prudence and a hutpanitarianlsm
that win be a model for civilization q
follow. GEORGE H. PICARD.