The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-24
RUSSIA IS GUARDING
AMERICA FROM WAR
Cars Empire Gathering
Forces to Fight
Mikado.
Japan AWAKENS
CHINA FOR ALLY
Proposed Double Tracking of ST.
berian Railway Appears
Hostile in Tokyo.

If the report is true that Russia is
about closing a contract for SZ5,OOO,O0
worth of steel rails. with which 10 dou-
BILE track the trans-Siberian railroad, II
is the best possible guarantee of peace
between the United States and Japan"
Thus, somewhat systematically, a we'll
known public man expressed himself
today Pressed for explanation, he con-
tinued:
Army and navy. people almost univer-
sally. and diplomats only less generally,
believe that Russia and Japan will be at
each others Threats again inside a few
years. Russia is Inundated by the re-
suit of the late war, and has been sub
staniaiy injured as well as sentiment
ally. She must have revenge.
Each country wants a reasonable
breathing space-Japan. until she shall
have been able to strengthen her hold
in China, and 10 organize a public opln-
ion and a military force in that empire,
which, in case of a great conflict, may
be added to the power Of Japan in OPP
posing Russia Russia wants delay
until she can finish her great railway
and fortify her finances.
Japan Has Greater Task.
Doubtless the greater Of the two
national tasks is that of Japan. to mod
ernize China and 10 Ieaven il with the
leaven Of something like patriotism; 70
give it a real national feeling; 10 unity
it, and center In the imperial govern
ment enough authority TO enable it TO
raise armies. and money 10 support
them. China is great and rich, but IN
organized and purposeless- Organized
and animated by such a patriotic spirit
as animates Japan. il could defy the
world. Japan wants to give it this
shape and effectiveness: 10 direct IL in
its new modernism: to use it TO fight
of the advances of Russia
Russia knows that delay is danger
Gus. because Japan will, If left alone. at
length accomplish just this end. There
fore. il is Russia's interest TO bring
the issue before a mOdernized and ma
tionalized China shall be ready TO Join
hands with Japan.
The announcement that Russia is
ready to proceed with the doubIe-track-
ing of her Siberian railroad win be read
nowhere with so much concern as at
Tokyo. Tokyo viii recognize it as direct
menace Russia is the inevitable enemy
of Japan. America might be the acct
dental and casual enemy But with
Russia in menaCing attitude. You may
be sure Japan would never take the
chance Of conflict with the United
States. The iron-shod paw OF the bear
would be over Manchursa and down 10
the very Straits of Japan before an
American and a japanese fleet could
have begun their real maneuVerS- ia
pan knows this all too well, and there
fore will not unnecessarily press differ
enCes with the United States.
Russia Must Fight Soon
Russia. as matters are developing,
needs TO have her final and decisive
conflict with Japan soon. Russia will
never be able 10 meet the joint power
of Japan and China. She must fight be-
fore China shall have become an ehec-
tive ally of Japan.
so we hear constantly of the prog
ress of plans for Notwithstanding the
Manchurian railroad 1t will be done
lust as soon as Russia can spend the
money on il; whether now, or later.
The d9y Russia makes plain that she
has been able To finance that project
Z at day Will Japan begin, quietly, Sc
cretively, but very earnestly, TO prepare
for the inevitable conflict She viii
have no time or energies 10 devote 70
unimpOrtant differences with the
United States or Germany, or any other
power Her business will be first 10 get
ready to meet Russia. second 10 retain
the alliance with Britain. and thru 70
keep the best possible relations with
every other important military and
financial country.
That n - 1 say that II Russia is
ready to dOuble-traCk the great rail-
road across Eurasia, there is no longer
TWEEN the United States and Japan"