The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-03-09
The Conflict in the
s. Far East.

4 QUESTION we may ask, and
~ solve within our own minds is,
n what has the conflict in the Far
East brought to light? Since
the outbreak of the war between Rus
sia and Japan these two nations have
had the rays of investigation searching
among the hidden secrets of the
present and the cherished history of
the past in the endeavor to bring to
light those elements that have mani
tested themselves so plainly during
the present conflict.
It is a sad state of affairs when in the
present enlightenment of the world two
nations feel compelled to take up arms
against each other, instead of arbitrat-
ing the points in question and abiding
by the decisions of the arbitrating
board. That such conflict should ex-
ist in the present day, is not so strange
when one studies the existing condi-
tions of the two nations. Russia has
always been looked upon as Christian
nation, while Japan as semi-heathen.
Russia was considered one of the
worlds great powers, while Japan was
given a place among the second or
third-class powers. By many Russia
was considered progressive while
Japan was looked upon as retroactive.
We might call attention to many OF
the points of supposed differences, but
our first question is, what has the con-
fiict brought to light? Let us look at
few of the phases.
First: That nation divided in it's
self cannot battle successfully against
q united nation
Second: The numerical difference
in the fighting forces of the nations
are eliminated by the nearness of the
weaker nation to its base of supplies.
Third: That the soldiers or fight
ing strength of nation, like success
full business man, must be trained
from A to z.
| Fourth: That nation may be con-
sidered world power, yet be unpre-
pared to battle with the weakest of
nations.
Without further enlarging upon the
features brought out so prominently
by the war let us glance hastily at
these two nations. We find in Russia
today spectacle that causes the heart
of liberty loving and liberty enjoying
people to thrOb with sorrow and SYM
pathy. The Russian working class is
oppressed, and because they have a
grievance and attempt to tell their
wrongs to the ruler of their country,
they are ordered shot down as a pack
of savages. The working classes are
not the only ones oppressed. The
peasants are so burdened by taxes and
restraints forced upon them by the
aristocracy that they are barely able
to keep body and soul together. Rus
sia has its race problem, but instead of
the colored man, the Jew is the one to
suffer.
That such condition of affairs
should exist is not surprising. Russia
is one man country so far as govern
ment is concerned. The czar of Rus.
sia is an autocrat, and only those who
are connected by blood relation OF
social standing reap the fruits of his
governing powers, while the middle
and lower classes must foot the bill OF
suffer the penalty. This is the natural
.. consequence in any country where
one man has complete control of pub
lie affairs.
In such a country as Russia is today
, the czar makes the laws and then ap
points agents to see that they are en-
. forced whether it ruins the middle o.
, lower classes or not. Is it to be won
dered at, that these agents are assassi
mated by the oppressedp Should tn,
world at large be astounded when the,
hear of the assassination of such mel
as Gen. Falinkoft, NJ Won Plehve
Gen. Tcherrkoft, S. Soinlnen, an.
Grand Duke Sergius2 I think not
Would the world be surprised to hea
that the czar himself had met the fat
lof his appointeesp believe not.
Why should such state of affair