Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1906-01-04
Official County Paper.
NOTABLE YEAR IN HISTORY.

phe year 1905 will be a memorable
ole in the political and military annals
of tae world The historian of the
future viii find not few events of high
import TO record when be comes to sum
up its story. The place of first inn
portance must be assigned to the re-
suits growing out OF the war between
Japan and Russia, of which this year
saw the conclusion. The most striking
outcome OF this struggle was the en-
trance OF Japan into the rank OF the
great powers of the world. It's conflict
with China decade bsfore had dem
onstrated that it had compact and
extremely well organized military
system directed by trained men OF his b
-apacity, but the world was scarcely
prepared for the spectacle of a small
Asiatic state venturing to attack IA
European nation enjoying high
military prestige and having popula-
tion three times as large as its own,
and pursuing career Of uninterrupted
victory. Three striking incidents In
this war Of oyer eighteen months fell
within the year 1905; namely the sur
render Of Port Arthur after one OF the
great sieges OF history, the battle of
Mukden, the most titanic engagement
10 modern times, and the remarkable
naval battle in the destruction of the
Baltic feet. Not the least noteworthy
circumstances connected with the war
was the successful mediation Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, which re suited in the
Peace of Portsmouth, and the selection
OF an American city as the scene of the
negotiations. Nor must mention be
omitted of the conclusion of the new
Aaglo-Japanese alliance which aims to
guarantee the territorial rights of the
two co contracting powers in India and in
Eastern Asia.
OF high Significance also are the de-
velopments now in progress la Russia
itself. For some years political unrest
has been growing there, and demands
have been heard for the estab ishment
OF some measures of political and social
reform. There can be no doubt, how.
ever, that a powerful impulse was com
municated to the forces of discomfort
by the loss OF prestige suffered by
Russian arms in the contest with
Japan. The demands of the Zsm.
stvosts and of the reformers generally
were dealt with 10 a most vaciatlling
manner, and rescripts of palliative
nature alternated with incidents like
that OF the 'sred sunday" In August
the Gar issued q manifesto instituting
a national consultative assembly Al
The end OF October he published new
charter securing freedom Of cons ,lence,
speech and association, and widening
the basis OF the suffrage, and Count
Witte was summoned TO form a cabinet
OF responsible ministers, but in spite
of these measures the agitation has
not been allayed. Ga the contrary.
there have been widespread disturb
ances. In particular, the Baltic pro-
vinces have been in condition of open
revolt, and at Moscow the revolutiol ;
lists for some days held their own
against the imperial troops. The out
look in Russia for the immediate future
ii grave indeed.
In other directions questions have
arisen which have seemed for a time
to carry menace to telnational
psace, but they have thus far been
settled amicably or have been put in a
fair way of settlement. AS the result
OF a contest over bill for separate
consular service passed by the Nor
wegian Storthing, situation was pre-.
cipitated which led TO the declaration
by that body that the union with
Sweden was dissolved Negotiation:
subsequently, hadtled to peaceaDle
separati, OF the two countries an6
the election Of Prince Charles Of Dsn
mark al King of Norway. Ia Austria
Hungary underlying difficulties OF Ions