The New Great Power.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8228, 8 June 1895, Page 2

The New Great Power.

At the time when Japan’s indemnity demands upon China were considered by European Powers, and especially by Russia, exorbitant, Home papers discussed what would happen if Russia and Japan came to loggerheads. One paper said “ What will happen ? The omniscient news agencies tell us that Russia has 20,000 men ready in the Far East. The statement only shows how little is generally known of the Far East. Russia has at least 12,000 men in the immediate neighbourhood of Vladivostock alone, at all times, and in Eastern Piberia she has not less than 15,000 more. In a few weeks she could have concentrated, even before the present situation developed, 25,000 to 30,000 men. But what use would these be against Japan ? The Emperor of Japan has now an army of veterans numbering at the very lowest computation 100,000, better equipped, better drilled, far better provided with transport and commissariat, and better Kanonen-futter , man for man, than the Russians, and at home in the climate, and excellent reserves of 150,000 more. There is a small division of the Japanese army permanently stationed in the Island of Yezo, and even if this were not reinforced and were consequently defeated, how much better off would the Russians be ? The Japanese fleet would retire for a time under the guns of Port Arthur and Shimonoseki, and the Russian fleet could not even attempt to attack these two first-class fortresses. The harbour of Tokyo is inaccessible, and such clever naval engineers as the Japanese, with their torpedo-boats to boot, could easily defend the other harbours of Japan. Asfor invading Japan, Russia might as well try to invade the moon. Every soldier she could land wouldfindlO Japanese soldiers awaiting him. And it is by no means improbable that the Japanese, with their overwhelming strength on land, woul<J

attempt a descent on Vladivostok. These are the considerations that the Russian Government must face before deciding to back up its protest by arms.”