The Irish standard., 1905-06-03
RUSSIA DEFEATED.


last hope of stemming the tide of de-
feat is at an end. Her mighty fleet
with which she hoped to regain con,
troll OF the sea, has been destroyed
as fighting force. Russia is Grip
pied beyond the hope of immediate
recovery. 1t must be admitted, that
in skill, courage and training, the
Japs are far superior to the Russians.
Russia has had the advantage in the
Of guns on sea. She has had the ad-
vantage in numbers on land, but num-
bers have been of no avail against
a people, whose hearts have been in
the fight. The defeat of Russia is
a defeat of the antiquated govern
ment and the rotten Bureaucracy
rather than the defeat of the Russian
people. In many quarters of the Rus
sian Empire Togo's victory is received
with as much joy as it is received at
Toxic. The Russian people, stagger-
ing under the load imposed upon them
by an irresponsible bureaucracy, have
been hoping for Russias defeat. The
defeat probably means much good for
Russia as a nation. 1T is true it's fleets
have been destroyed and it's army so
often beaten, that it has become dis
organized, but fleets can and will be
rebuilt and armies reorganized. The
important result likely to follow is
that the rulers of Russia will now
nave to give way to a constitutional
represent the people, anu have their
support. If that result is achieved,
the war will not have been fought in
vain, and Russia's defeat will become
a victory.
On the other hand, what will be the
result to Japan? Togo's magnificent
victory assures Japan OF prominent
place among the so-called great ma
tions. At last there is Yellow nation
competent to look after Its own in
terests and match for the best ma
tions of the West. Indeed it is
probable that Japan would have been
successful against any nation in the
world, fighting in the same territory
and in the same waters. 1t is not
only probable but it is almost a fore
gone conclusion, that Japan Is today
more than a match in fighting power
for any single nation. The David
among nations has met and laid low
the Goliath. 1t has done so without
the aid of any country or civilization.
1t has made known to the nations of
the world. that they can no longer
interfere in the affairs of Asia, and
that they had better keep their mis-
sionaries and their armies at home.
Japan has served notice upon the
tion able to cope with the European
civilization.
1t is true, that for the moment Eng.
land has been relieved of Russian
pressure upon India England has
been for years afraid of Russia and
she welcomed the present war with
the hope that the struggle would
weaken her rival. 1t has weakened
that rival, but it has created another
and greater rival. A rival that Is
able not only to cope with the
best troops on land but which is
able to fight on sea. Once for al
Japan has taught us, that all this
| prating about Anglo-SaXon superiori
| ty is nonsense. The Japs owe moth
ing to the Angles or the SaXons. L
| they decide to go into the land grab
| bling business themselves it will fai
ill for England, and perhaps ourselves
in the Far East. Should the Jap'
conceive the notion that the Philip
pines were necessary to their well
being and prosperity who is there tt
say them "Nay?" We hope that thos'
who have been urging on Japan AM
lavishing their sympathy on the vel
low men, will not have cause to regre
it, But, if that shouid be the result
we think it will be due to Japanes
moderation. 1t is easily within tn
power of Japan to make trouble 70
4 the white races. We hope that lnei