The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1905. MOVEMENTS OF RUSSIA IN THE EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7807, 27 April 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1905. MOVEMENTS OF RUSSIA IN THE EAST.

There exists a deeply rooted impression that Hussia has undertaken a mission to conquer and subjugate the whole of the Far East, and bring it under her sway. A pamphlet written by the traveller, Prince Ouchtonisky, and recently reviewed in the Nineteenth Century, throws some interesting light on this great question. The Prince dismisses tho idea of the Yellow Peril as impossible, but blames Hussia for notjiaving long ago made use of Japun as a younger brother and as "the natural ally of Russia against the West," which is now feasting on the lazy, sleeping East. When the AUnchurian dynasty was tottering under the shock of Hussion' power, the • 'demoniacal nature of the Japanese, together with their anxiety to bo objects of general attention and to be in the forefront of the nations, burst forth."- But fate, he adds, has clearly shown that it is not Japan's lot to interfere in the life and normal development of Asia. The Prince claims that the spirit which animates the Hussian race and carries thorn on is that of the ..Vikings or Norsemen who founded the Hussion Empire in the ninth century just as they colonised Britain three hundred years before. After giving a brief history of the early expansion of Hussia amongst the wild tribes beyond the Urals and the first .settlement in Siberia during tho reign of Ivan the Terrible, and its tinal conquest by Yermak, the author points out that the acquisition of Kazan opened out the route by the Volga to the Caspian, as the Siberian conquest led the way to the Far East and its ultimate mastery. Tho seventeenth century saw Hussia occupied in driving back the Mongol races, and as her boundaries on the Amur were coterminous with thoso of tho Chinese Empire, she sent her ambassadors to Peking in the days of Queen Elizabeth, when Britain was fighting the Spaniards. In tht reign of Peter the Great Uehring circumnavigated tho northern seas, and the mineral wealth of Siberia began to be opened up. In the reign of the Czar Nicholas the policy of i conquest was opened anew. Geographical discoveries confirmed tho \ theory that the Amur would give Hussia an outlet to the P|-.ieilic Ocean. Three years later Captain Xcvelsky sailed down the Amur ana planted the Hussian flag at its month and took possession of the surrounding country in the name tit the Russian Government. This was in due, course followed by the founding of Nlkolaev.sk, which was one of tlie contributing causes of the Crimean war. Subsequently China was persuaded to recognise Russia's possession by formally coding the territory to her. Vladivostok was founded in 1800, and in 1875 the Island of Saghalien was, ceded by Japan. Ktissin subsequently sought to obtain possession of the Island of Tsushima, which commanded the only exit to the Sea of Japan, and was held by Japan, But this was prevented by Gseat Britain. The object was to make the strait another Dardanelles. This, says the author of "Movements of Hussia in the East," compelled Hussia to strike for the highway of the Pacific, the last remaining ocean highway open to her, and the blow had to be struck now or never. By thwarting this ambition for power England and Japan became her principal enemies. Port Arthur was just tho position Russia wanted on the Pacific Coast, and, therefore, a lease of that important place was obtained bom China, millions being spent on its defences, but, as events proved, all in vain. According to Muscovite ideas, Japan should have been , content to remain on her islands, where she might have built up a powoiful Empire B\ inleifcnng in ContincijlaJ politn.!,, the Japuueso '

might succeed in putting the Mikado on the throne of the Manchurian Emperors ; but that would bring about serious results, both to themselves and to Europe. The latter, being threatened with a Yellow Peril, must combine to stave off this misfortune. In the thirteenth century this danger had menaced Europe, and Kussia alone hud driven ! it back, but anything that would weaken K\ ssia would prevent her a sucond time withstanding the shock. These patriotic imaginings regarding the majesty and benelicence of Russia in the future seem to have been dispelled as quickly us Alnaschar's dream, and Russia is now ruefully contemplating the broken crockery," while the Yellow Peril bogey that she had conjured up has vanished into thin air. The more the world learns of the Far Knst the less dread there is of such an invasion as the C/.ur and the Kaiser endeavoured to make the world believe.