Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-08-17
Russia and Japan Face Each
Other in Manchuria and
Look for Spells

PEKIN, China, August fourteen
years ago Russia secured from China
lease on Port Arthur for twenty
FIVE years, and the right to built a
railroad, to be called the Chinese
Eastern railroad, extending acros s
Manchuria from the FTrans-Siberian
railroad to Port Arthur on the Gulf of
Pechili. The completion of this rail-
road gave Russia an ice free port on
the Yellow sea and made her the para
mount power In far eastern politics.
Encouraged by her successes Russia
adopted a policy which became dam
gerous to both China and Japan. SIR
stationed troops all along the Chinese
Eastern railroad and began to make
plans for the occupation Of Korea.
This brought on the Russo-Japanese
war, which resulted in Japan's takiues
Russia's place as the paramount pow
er in far eastern politics. Japan by
right Of conquest secured Russias
lease on Port Arthur and the southern
half OF the Chinese Eastern railroad,
end was placed In a position to annex
Korea. She also succeeded to all min
ine and timber rights In South Man
churia which the Russians had receiv-
ed from the Chinete.
Fate Of MsnchurIa.
The Russo-Japanese war settled
the fate of Korea. but not that ct
Manchuria. Before that war China's
sovereignty in Manchuria had been
threatened bv Russia alone: since that
war it has been threatened by Japan
and Russia. These nations are today
facing each other on China's soil very
much as they did during the truce
preceding the treaty OF Portsmouth.
which ended the Russo-Japanese war.
That Treaty, which acknowledged the
sovereignty OF China in Manchuria,
virtually divided the province into
two protectorates-the northern, DOM
ii.ated by Russia. and the southern.
by Japan. The military forces which
these two nations maintain in Man
cLuria are. to be sure, not on a war
footing. but they are sufficiently large
TO cause anxiety to China and 10
every nation interested in the main
tenance OF Chinass integrity and the
open door principle. Since the war
both Russia and Japan have expend-
ei enormous sums OF money In
strengthening their military and eco
ncmic hold on their respective spheres
IN Manchuria Hardin is flourishing
Russian city, while Mukden swarms
with traders and Isoldiers of Dali Nip
pom. 49,.
The japanese have shown a remark
able capacity for organization in their
management Of the southern section
80 che Chtnaco Eorfe ro;I,r,n NJ ,,,hiob
they took over from the Russians.
They have entirely reconstructed this
railroad and have named II the South
Manchuria railway. It is by far the
best railroad in all Asia. By the con-
struction of the Antung:Mukden
branch thew have connected the South
Manchurian with the Korean railways.
This has placed them in a position to
strike at Manchuria along two con-
yerging railway lines. namely. the
Port Arthur and the Antung- Mukden
line.
Arteries Of Trade.
While these lines are undoubtedly |
built mainly for military purposes
they serve in time of peace as arter- |
les q trade for Japan's economic con.
quest Of South Manchuria. The Jap
anese steamship lines being highly |
subsidized BY the government, are in a |
position to give such reductions to |
Japanese merchants as to place those
of other nations at a serious disad- !
vantage. The economic conquest of !
South Manchuria by Japan is proceed |
ing rapidly and and will soon be an |
accomplished fact
Considering the great interest |
which Japan has already acquired in |
South Manchuria it is not sur ,lrising !
that many leading Japanece states !
men have advocated the annexation |
OF Manehuria. Foremost among these |
is Mr.. Tomizu, member OF the Japan
csc parliament. He is a man Of great !
influence. In 1904 he was one of the |
seven professors who alrn%t:>i the |
war with Russia. About two months
ago Mr.. Tomizu writes a Magazine ar
ticle in which he advocated the I'M
mediate annexation of South Man.
cburia.
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