The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-02
WAR ECHOES

Louisville Evening Post: Petrograd compares the fall of Przemysl to the surrender of Metz during the war of 1870 between France and Prussia, but it must be remembered that one-half the avail able French army surrendered at Metz, while not more than one-twentieth of the available Austrian forces was put fin Przemysl when the Russian armies began to descend upon that fortress.
 Marshal Bazaine took something over 10000 men into Metz when the Prussian armies began to attack that fortress in August, 1s70 At that time the only other large French army numbered less than 125, 900 men. After his defeat at Gravelotte Marshal Bazaine surrendered 1S0,00O men at Metz, the Emperor Napoleon having previously surrendered 5000 at Sedan. With these two surrenders. the French son of Paris and a score or more thou- sands of troops scattered over wide ter ritory.
 The Austrians are reputed to have put, first and last, 100000 men into the field in this war. Three army corps, or 12O,0O0 men, were sent west to fight the French. Approximately 100000 have been used in fighting Servia. Probaly 100000 more have been kept near the capital or along toward the Italian frontier. This left nearly 1,400,000 to fight the Russians. The garrison of Przemysl was, at the begin ming of the siege, 125,000 strong. Some thing like 75,000 effectives surrendered.
 The blow is heavy one, both because of the strategic importance of the place and the strength of the garrison, but it is not likely that the consequences of the fall of the post will even approximate those that followed Bazaines surrender at Metz.
 Pittsburg Sun: Regardless of Japan's carefully uttered comments on the kind liness of her intentions regarding China and the wholesome desire on the part of the Mil<ados government to maintain the open door In China and in no way "gob- ble'' the rights and privileges of that coun- try and make her people vassals of Japan, all is not well in the east. It is said that the attention of President Wilson has been called to the state of affairs there as they actually exist. China herself is reported to have laid her case before this country, and asked ourAgood offices in seeing that
 
 compel submission to all of her demands.
 It Is said by those who are in a position to know, and who are not sensationalists in any sense, that the sovereignty of China is actually In jeopardy, and that if some of the western nations do not come to her rescue, and that in a manner that leaves no doubt of the seriousness of their intentions, Japan will have gained her point. In such a contingency the imme- diate outcome is quite apparent. as Is also the remote one. At first the occidental na- lions will be treated kindly, with the suavity for which the Japanese is noted in the pantry as well as in the drawing room and the state palace. Then as time goes the rights of freedom in trade will be decreased and the first thing we know American interests in the Orient will be nil and our trade will have disappeared China is looking toward America as her one best friend, and 1t would be unwise not to listen and heed the cry for assist ance that comes out of one of the best nations in the Orient.
 China is slowly awakening, and when it does its friendship will mean something to the nation that possesses it. It's re- sources are enormous, it's wealth equally great, and once let western ideas get pos session of the people, there will be no loyal and honest friend. We can support China's claims and do it without involv- ing ourselves in any open conflict. or even danger of one. This is what we ought to do.