Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-11

III 81 NJ El world Is vitality concerned.
he MAl Manchuria is a wheat field
llez2aLlsNzE2I about the size of the Ger
man empire, with enough
left over for beans and pasture to cover
half of France. 1t is almost twice rs
large as Texas, and its opportunities
for agricultural and mineral develop
ment and exploitation are the greatest
in Asia. The question of the world 5
bread supply will become more and
more vital as the years go on, and two
or three generations hence Manchuria
will be called upon to help feed the
world. Under what flag 1t will come
into it's own is the question.
Manchuria is q part of the Chinese
empire, bearing a relation to China
proper about such as the territory OF
Alaska bears to the states of the Union.
China's sovereignty in Manchuria is ad-
mitted by the nations of the world, is
confirmed by solemn treaties with in
terested powers and is indicated by the
coloring on the maps.
AS a matter of fact about two-thirds
of Manchuria Is ruled by the Russians
and the other one-third by the jap
anese. In questions affecting the more
important functions of government and
development the Chinese have no voice
whatever. They even depend upon the
friendship of allen powers, such as the
United States, to get hearing of their
grievances. Mere administrative func-
tions are left to the Chinese, unless
there is some particular reason for jap
anese or Russian interference.
The principals in the struggle for the
control of this rich territory are China,
Japan and Russia; but indirectly Great
Britain, Germany, France and the
United States are involved The de-
velopment of this enormous tract OF
practically virgin land will mean the
establishment of a large trade. The
European Industrial nations are In
direct connection with Manchuria by
railroad, and the United States is in
terested as a Pacific power. If China's
rights in Manchuria are respected and
the "open door, is maintained all these
nations will have equal opportunities
for trade development. If Russian rule
becomes paramount the development
will be along Muscovite lines, an out
look not particularly encouraging for
commerce. If the japanese achieve
complete victory all industrial enter
prise, all commercial development and
everything worth having will be ex-
plotted by the japanese for the jap
aneSe.
Southern Manchuria at this time is
practically under japanese sovereignty.
The ports and the railway termini are
controlled by Japanese, and this means
the practical domination of all Man
churia, notwithstanding the fact that
the Russians control twice as much of
the territory. The japanese, with abb
solute sovereignty at Dalny and Port
Arthur, with practical control of New
chwang and Antung, and with posses
sion of the southern connectio; s of the
trans-Siberian railway system, hold the
keys of the entire Manchurian- situa-
ton. A glance at the map will make
this clear.
The Russians, holding, of course the
main line of the trans-Siberian system
and its Vladivostok terminus, are prac-
tically enthroned at Harbin as the real
rulers of Northern Manchuria, but 1t
must be admitted that they are much
more considerate' of the Chinese than
are the Japanese. Since the recent
agreement with China, negotiated at
Harbin, the Russian attitude has been
that of Difference to Chinese authority,
at the same time maintaining firmly
the rightful Russian interest. AS the
great trans Siberian railway connect
ing European Russia with it's Asiatic
possessions and with its Pacific port of
Vladivostok runs through Manchuria,
1t is not to be expected that the Rus
SLAMS will withdraw entirely from the
territory.
Russia's presence in Manchuria is the
result of the ruling passion of Musco-
vite ambition of centuries-the ever
lasting and unwearying struggle to
gain an ice-free port. The settlement
of the Pacific coast of Siberia, the
gradual descent upon Chinese territory,
the hitching southwark of the whole
Asiatic Russian boundary line, the
activity in Korean AFFAIRS the building
of the railroad and the exploitation Of
resources southwark Of the Amur, were
all a part of what was known as "the
Russian Advance" The world trembled
before the specter of ''the Bear that
Walks Like a Man" China piteously
appealed for help from her stronger
friends. Britain fairly wept for the
safety of India and Eipling dreamed Of
marching with redcoats or without
them into st. Petersburg.
In the meantime Japan was busy get
ting ready for war. The Japanese had
defeated China in 1894, and had OBJ
tanned foothold upon the mainland by
the cession of the Liaotung peninsula,
including Port Arthur. Under pressure
from the powers Japan was forced to
retrocede the peninsula to China. Then
huSSld ODtdliieu Fort AIlHur ny ledSS,
and the Bear laved his paws in Sthe
warm waters of the Yellow Sea. Japan
was struggling for the control of Korea
and Russian corruption and intrigue
were met at Seoul by Japanese cum
ming and deception.
Finally the crash came. Japan at
tackled Russia without warning. For
the information of the world the Jap
anese government solemnly announced
that the purpose of the war was TO
save Korea and to drive Russia from
Manchuria, that China might have
complete control of it's own territory
The "open door" in Manchuria was one
of the. chief causes for which the Jap
anese said they were fighting.
The war, one of the most terrible in