Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-07-13

be wonders what would happen II nc
should sometime clash with this new
master OF the situation. This same
feeling peryades the world now, as it
ponders over the result OF the war
about closing. What would be the
outcome if, few years hence, Great
Britain, or France, or Germany or the
United States should be compelled TO
wage war against the victor in this
strife
1t is not sufficient to reply that there
is little danger OF such thing that
all these powers are ON friendly terms
with Japan. The friends, even the
allies, of today, are the bitter foes Of
tomorrow as history proves. Each
nation has its own interests to safe
guard at all times. Sooner or later
these are bound to clash with those of
other nations. and until the spirit OF
peaceful settlement progresses much
further than at present, these differ
ences can only be referred TO the ar
bitrament of arms.
1t may be set down that Japan will
not hesitate to light, rather than sub
nit to serious injury or humiliation.
A nation that would defy great Russia
as she did and stake all on the out
come, when the issue involved was in
a measure remote. will be found ready
in future to defend her interests and
her honor. Indeed, as the great power
of the East, recognized as the arbiter
OF continent, almost. Japan may not
rest content in the possession OF what
she will have when peace is attained,
but may reach out herself until she
clashes with other powers having in
terests in Asia. This is the real dan
ger, rather than that she, an easy vic
tor over Russia, will be carelessly pro-
voked to conflict by the aggression of
another. Japan cannot fail TO feel the
impetus OF the present and recent past,
and however her men OF poise try to
put on the brakes the power from be-
hind will move the machine forward
fast. China will be overrun and ex-
plotted and perhaps stirred to new life
by the winners of the East. The white
race will not rest content to see the
Mongols rise in an irresistible ava
lanche that threatens their own de-
The time is not remote
when some other power than Russia
viii break lance with Japan.
There is nothing in Japan's recent mill
tary career to urge her toward caution.
10 the Chinese war, in the Boxer out
break, in this last great combat with
1ower supposed to be the mightiest on
Earth, she has never suffered one sin
gle reverse on land or sea. The effect
s not lost, either upon her own people
u those Of other nations. Her Prov
.ss is superb. Each war that she has
ought has ended with Japan stronger
han at the beginning. She has de-
troyed Russia's fleets, but her own
IRE larger than before the war. Her
Irmies, though they have shed much
Hood, are more capable of dealing a
,low than ever. The increase in her
and the payment to her of a
arge indemnity by Russia will restore
Ter monetary outlay. Much of this
will 90 toward building
'reater navy and making more eff
lent army. Her navy now ranks
ixth among nations, while the United
states is but fourth, Russia having
allen from third to seventh. There is
lothing to check the martial spirit of
Iapan, certainly, in this showing.
Wars are not entered upon lightly,
o be sure, but we see no reason to
that in the not distant future
Tapan will again have occasion to
rove her valor, nor that it will be less
han heratofnra