Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-17
The Manchurian Question
By Frederic j. Haskin

- Aae@N oCSh luIuGu over TO emma, but
mere was Russia holding a city In the
heart of the Chinese territory under A
law which was all but no law at all.
The Russian attempt to collect taxes
f ON foreign residents brought the
matter to the attention of other coun-
tries, and the American government.
through its consul took a position SIN.
porting the Chinese claims. This atti-
tude was afterward assumed bv the
German and other representatives.
The upshot of the controversy was
that Russia granted the Chinese prac-
tiCally entire control of the govern
ment of all northern Manchuria, with
the exception of the actual right of
way of the railroad. In Harbin the
dispute was brought to an amicaLle
settlement, by which both Chinese
are protected. The attitude of the
Russians throughout the negotiations
was characterized by fairness and a
desire to conciliate Chinese opinion.
This policy on the part of Russia is
diametrically opposed to the Japanese
plan of grasping every possible ad-
vantage and strengthening every pos
sibe hold on Manchuria. AS neither
OF these nations intends ever to per-
nit China to really regain this coun-
try, the difference between their pre-
sent attitudes is merely that of diff
ference in policies. The Russians, by
virtue of their position, have many
interests in common with the Japanese.
But at the same time they are playing
the game to that, if need be, they will
find the Chinese arrayed on their side
in any controversy with the Japanese.
Despite the apparent willingness of
Russia to abide by the spirit as well
as the letter of the treaty of Ports
mouth, 1t is not to be supposed that
Russian designs upon Manchuria have
been tempered by defeat or time. Har-
bin is being built as a Russian metrop-
oils and railway center. 1t is entirely
within the range of possibility that
the development of the Amur and of
Manchuria will be such that another
half century will see it become city
as important as Chicago. 1t is in the
center of a country as rich as that
surrounding the great Illinois metrop-
oils, and that country is advancing far
more rapidly today than was the cen
trail west of the United States fifty
years ago. The possibilities of the
Sungar and Amur valleys are sur
passed only in the Missouri and Mis-
sissippi valleys.
Russia does not intend to loosen its
grip upon this junction, which is the
strategic key to the whole eastern
Asiatic situation, commercial, indus
trial and political. The Russians Will
pay due regard to the Chinese desire
to save their faces" and will make
show of submission to Chinese au-
thority. The bumps will be eased over
with money used in that sort Of official
corruption which is all too common in
both Russia and China.
IS the Japanese contiue to rush fore
ward in frantic haste in the campaign
OF greed and grab in the south, the
Russian policy will appear to be more
and more decent and fair. Occasion
ally some one will come out with a
quotation from Mr.. Kipling about the
folly of making truce with the bear
that walks like man: but nothing
will come of 1t. IF the present policy
Is continued the wisdom of Brer Rab-
bit will rule the actions of Brer Bar
he will LAY low"
All of this time the rush of settlers
from European Russia into the Amul
will keep up. The farms of that great
province will produce more and more
wheat each year, and the mills at
Hardin will have something to grind.
The road back to St. Petersburg and
all Europe will be double-tracked and
brought to the highest possible standard
of efficiency. The Russian works will
will have turned the edge of enmity In
the country by producing general pros
perity The whole surplus wealth and
of great European Russia and
midSiberia will be used in the de-
of the Russian Pacific prov
inces, and all of that development will
be controlled through the railway june
tion at Hardin.
And then, when the time comes that
this triangular struggle between China,
Japan and Russia must be forced to a
final settlement, then Russia will be
found in practical possession of the
richest and largest part of the country,
backed by prosperous Russian com
of 100000 or 10000, ,000-not 5000
miles away as in the last war, but just
over the Amur river in two days strik-
ing distance of Hardin.
If the diplomacy of the world per-
mits the status quo In Manchuria to be
maintained by agreement between Rus
STA and Japan, as is the case at present,
the recurrence of armed conflict is IN
1t may be ten years, 1t may
be twenty, but Russia and Japan may
not be trusted to keep the peace for
ever. II the world had had the courage
of its convictions 1t would have seen
to It that the evacuation of Manchuria
was complete and entire, according TO
the treaty pledge. 1t is too late TO 90
that now, but If peace is to reign the
nations must stop Japan and Russia
where they are today.
Tomorrow-The Manchurian QUESTION
VIII: The Menace to All China.