Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1901. RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 October 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1901. RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Japan opposing Russian advance in Manchuria, and holding declaring that Russian arms shall not control that portion of China, would at first sight seem like a dwarf challenging a giant to a trial of strength. And in some respects the picture is a correct one. But the giant Russia is overgrown and unwieldly, while Dwarf Japan is sinewy, atheletic, and in first-class order. The contest—where it would be fought—is a task that is well within the capacity of Japan. Her fleet in Chinese waters is stronger than that of Russia, while in the late war with China she demonstrated to Western Nations that she knew how to use her ships to best advantage—a feat that Russia has never yet been capable of. For some time Korea was sought to be brought under Russian control. The energetic Jap would not hear of this. He was prepared to risk everything to athwart Russian designs, and Japan succeeded. Russia withdrew, and Japan, as our Thursday's telegrams informed us, had advanced six millions sterling (doubtless British money) to the peninsular. This is the first step towards Japanese control, and a very broad hint to Russia to cease meddling in Korean affairs. But the spirited Jap- does not rest here. He next tackles the giant in Manchuria, and declares he must withdraw from that country. This will be a difficult morsel for the Muscovite to digest. He will not readily relinquish his hold, and yet if he does not, nothing is more certain than that he will have to fight Japan—a war Russia has but little relish for. With all Russia's enormous army—on paper —it is pretty certain that Japan could put a superior force into the field in that part of the world, while the position of Russia, should she become involved in such a struggle, would be none too good. The Balkan trouble would immediately be brought into play, while Germany, aided by Russia's ancient enemy—Turkey—would seize the favorable opportunity of pushing on her railways and controls in Asia Minor. Add to this the desire of Afghanistan to drive out their everthreatening neighbor, and we have the giant in serious trouble—so serious as to be beyond his capacity. For the above reasons we imagine Russia will give way a very great deal ere coming to actual blows with the " Coming Nation of the North Pacific." It certainly looks as if with all her intrigue and cabal, Russia is likely to emerge from the Chinese war as barren as the other Powers.