Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-23
JAPAN AND RUSSIA
THE FOREIGN OPINION OF AN
AMERICANS FEELINGS.


pos of the opinion of the American people
pro and con Japan and Russia. This SUBJ
ject has never been studied very deeply on
account of the many difficulties presented
to the diligent student Of diplomatic
problems such as thus, which contain
points that must be not only carefully
balanced, but also well presented, In order
that they give rise to no offense.
American opinion has from the begin
ming been IN favor of Japan and the Japa-
nese," said a prominent diplomat on being
asked to give his views on this interesting
topic None of the bugbears raised by
the fears of Europe In the late conflict
between the two empires have been able to
influence Americans. This Is due prin-
cipally-according to many authorities
international afairsr-to the history and
the geographical situation of the United
States, as well to the occupations of
most of its people The thousand and one
cries of a yellow race against white race,
of barbarians against civilized people, of
pagans against Christians, made no inn
preston in the United States. In this re-
gard 1t must be said that Columbus in
searching for the far east and the western
passage to India found the new world
Ever since then American progress has
been westward. American and American
interests have gone so far west that they
have reached the east. When the United
states became q nation Americans III once
looked for the passage to India. When
Louisiana had been purchased from France
almost Immediately Lewis and Clark set
out on that exploring tour through the
great west to the shores of the Pacific
ocean.
President Tyler in 164S.
president Tyler, as early as 1S43, wrote
to the Emperor of China that the domains
of these two rulers touched but for the
lat hfa
Perry opened Japan to the commerce of the
west In 1869. or fifteen years later, the
first transcontinental railroad united the
Atlantic with the Pacific. Now, to add to
these stupendous strides, the Panama canal
is awaiting the hand of the laborer All
the routes to the Pacific are In American
possession From Seattle or San Francisco
one goes to China. to Japan, to the Philip
pines and to Hawaii: from Puget sound to
Japan; by way of the Aleutians to Austria
lia to Samoa. With the Aleutian Islands
on the north and the Philippines on the
south. the United States almost surround
the japanese domain. Discovered and ex-
plored by Europeans who were attracted by
the mirage of the orient, America. the nat
ural inheritor OF the lofty desires and aims
Of Europe. makes today the historic march
to the extreme far east in place of Europe.
Altogether" continued the diplomat
American opinion Is not only pro-Japanese
but is anti-Russian. This is not circum-
stance which should be placed against the
credit of Russia. as the tendencies for such
a state of affairs was not predetermined and
beyond the guidance of mere man
Feeling Against Russia.
Several generations ago the friendship
Of Russia for the United States was a gen
orally believed tradition but during recent
years enntty to Great Britain. which had
been Russia's card In this game. was trans
ferred to Germany, and with the growing
friendship between the two Englsh-speak-
ing peoples there came to America a little
of English dislike of the Russians Then,
Americans do not know Russia 1t is one
of those secret and mysterious places, so
to speak the kind which confuses the SIM
pie American mind by the many high
sounding names attached to it. When
Americans go abroad they go to the coun-
tries in western Europe or to Japan. Rus
STA does not seem to attract them. 1t is a
comparatively new country which has
far kept al distance even the boldest of
Americas ffnanciers and business geniuses.
Furthermore, its literature and its art are
unknown in the states They know Tolstoi
by hearsay; they meet Gorky because he
comes to them; they hear few fragments
of music. But the realism of Russian in
dividuality is practically unknown. Ameri-
cans have often been heard to say that
Russia has no art.
They are continually harpng upon the
dirt and ignorance OF the muzhk and his
superst ition before the Icons. To them he
is a poor sort of fellow, scarcely emerged
from savagery. knowing nothing Of the
benefits of public school education. He Is
not a citizen, and is chained for life to
low level of opportunity. To an American,
all civilization which does not give to the
poor man a chance to become independent,
If not millionaire Is to be condemned.
Other Reasons.
And then there are other reasons for an
unfavorabl opinion Of Russia obtaining in
America. The subjects of the empire-Rus-
slams. Poles, Armenians, Jews-who come
to the United States as immigrants, by their
oppressed and neglected appearance and
their superstitous ignorance, confirm this
opinion. Many Americans have had dis
agreeable experiences in Russia and Siberia
with the passport system, the censor and
the police. Many of those Russians who
wealthy. dissolute members of the aristo-
cratic class.
Hebrews all over the world have de-
nounced Russia and the Russian people,
and to crown it all. Count Tolstoi, the most
eminent of Russians, has himself bitterly
denounced the conditions theories of life
and actualities in the empire. Tolstoi is
read much more than all Russian writer's
combined in all Anglo-Saxon countries. and
his views are accepted as right and proper
in political matters Russia and the
United States are naturally at enmity be-
cause of the differences of policy, in poll
ties and economics, in the far east and else
where There is not room for both in Man
churia. according to the Russian idea. On
the other hand. Americans are likely TO in
SfSt pGsSibly with force. upOn the policy of