The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-05

Russia s Real Weakness.

Is Russia to be forever barred from
the open sea? The combination Of Eu-
ropean powers against her has for
hundred years thwarted her efforts to
reach the free ocean from her European
side. England has jealousy. guarded
the Mediterranean. The five great
powers have by their policy maintained
the integrity Of the Ottoman empire in
Europe as much to coop Russia in the
Black sea as for any other purpose.
Baked in Europe, Russia crossed Sibe-
ria, built 5000 miles of railroad and
struck an open port in the northeastern
corner of China. '*
Apparently secure there from posi-
BILE combination Of European powers,
and in fact encouraged IN her aggres-
sions on China by France and Germany,
Russia seemed at length to have
achieved her object. She had great
port at the most strategic point on the
east coast Of Asia. : a. }-s@.
But just as her plans were blossom
ing, up jumped the little island empire
Of Japan, with a demand that Russia
retire from Manchuria, give up Port AT
thur, and withdraw her navy to the Ice
locked harbor Of Vladivostok. Japan s
demands were not complied with, and
Japan promptly began a war, in which
her land forces have driven Russian
armies from the Yalu river to Mukden
and her land and naval forces, acting in
concert, have wrested Port Arthur from
Russia at tremendous cost to both
countries, in lives and money. -
Russia s plans are at a standstill
Without driving Japan into the sea she
cannot recover Port Arthur nor obtain
a resting place, for the remains Of thel
navy. The prospects Of her driving
Japan to the sea are not brilliant. Mill
tary experts would probably say that il
is impossible for Russia to victual anC
supply, with her present facilities, al
army large enough to drive Oyama back
at all.
In the case Of the war being declared
a drawn battle and peace being restored
on the basis Of the status quo Russis
would be no nearer the sea in Asia thar
she is today in Europe. The only re
source left then would be to try tn,
way Of the Persian gulf and here sh,
would need England's consent.
1t is natural ambition on Russia Z
part to reach the open sea. In no othe
1 way can she become commercial powe
nor even truly civilized nation. VIII,
have Europe and Japan combined
against her9 The answer must be foun,
partially in the character Of Muscovit
diplomacy. The fact is that no Euro
pean nation believes a word that eman
4 ates from the bureaucracy that rule
4 Russia. There are no guarantees TO
z the pacific intentions Of Russia tina
4 would be accepted in any capital in Eu
rope. Russia might make any sort of
pledge she pleased, but no nation in Flu
!. rope would accept it unless on the basi
/. that she could whip Russia when tn
time came for the unmasking Of the lie
Russia had told. The weakness of Rus
STA today is her autocracy. Her re
Mobilization in Europe would begin wit
the establishment Of responsible gov
a eminent at home. Europe must hav
some one to- deal with other than
nominal car, and an unknown lot o
grand dukes. Russia must develop ma
tional law before she can expect to &c
n the benefits Of international law
"A The department. OF agriculture has jus
brought into the country a surprising va
riety Of lamb, called ''woolless sheep.
They are fawn-colored and small In size
u not much over 4 90 pounds but are yer