12 THE ACORN MANCHURIA AND KOREA. For some months past all Europe and America have been interested in the diplomatic duel, going ou in the Far East. The world has been left in ignorance as to both proposals and counterproposals of the matter at issue. The starting point of the trouble between Japan and Russia was at tke close of the war between Japan and China. "Japan fought its war with China." Japan won and in the treaty China gave Port Author, Talien Bay and Manchuria to Japan. Japan was compelled by America, France, Germany and Russia to acquiesce to this arroga-tion. They claimed it would be a standing: menace to the world, and requested that China still hold the land. The people knew that the best thing to do was to let China reclaim it. A little later Germany demanded of China the cession of Keachtow Bay. Then Russia demanded of her Port Arthur and Manchuria, with the right to build a railroad and make other improvements that she deemed necessary. The length of this cession was twenty-five years. This was granted. Japan saw the land she had fought so hard for handed over to Russia, her natural enemy. Japan consented, but she has always resented it bitterly, and when the time came for Russia to withdraw troops, Japan insisted upon its being done immediately. The time has come for the evacuation of Manchuria; but Russia, instead of withdrawing, is pushing her ports farther and farther down towards Korea. Japan is afraid Russia will cross the Yalu River and invade the whole of Korea. Both countries claim that Korea is the "Bone of Contention," but Manchuria is the real issue of war. If Manchuria be held by the Russians, Korea and Japan are doomed. If Japan conquer it, the trade of Russia is virtually cut off. Japan is fighting for land on which to expand, while Russia is fighting for the control of the Asiatic trade. As above stated, the Japanese hate Russia. So intense is this hatred that in the schools the pupils are compelled to repeat a vow to grow up to fight the enemy, Russia. The result is that today the Japanese pupulation is a unit in their desire to punish Russia. They have (since Oct., 1903, when the cession of Russia expired), waited for the Russians to move off, but instead they have moved on. The patience of Japan "ceased to be a virtue" about Feb. 8, 1904, at Port Arthur. It was at about this date that the first torpedo was fired, which proclaimed the war between Russia and Japan. This attack was very unexpected. According to the Che Foo correspondents of the Daily Mail, the lack of preparation on the part of Russia was due to the fact that all the naval and military officers were attending a circus at Port Arthur. Be that as it may, Admiral Foga succeeded in the darkness in getting be- THE ACORN 13 tween Russian ships and the land. Here they lay unnoticed until the Russians were attacked by the Japanese battleships and sought to re-enter the harbor. Two battleships and one cruiser were sunk. The next engagement was Feb. 9, at 4:10 p. m. at Chemulpo, the seaport of Korea. The Japanese squadron sunk the Russian gunboat Rorietz, and overcame the cruiser Variag, at which time four officers and ninety-one men of the Russian army were killed. The next attack was at Dove Bay, Feb. 12. Twelve thousand Japanese troops were landed here and were immediately attacked by the Russians. The Japanese were repulsed with small loss of life. On Feb. 15, the attack on the Japanese at Pigeon Bay, resulted in the Russians being defeated with heavy looses. Feb. 15, while the battle was going on inland, the Japanese attacked the Russian squadron, sinking twenty vessels. When Japan struck the first blow, she made this statement, that she would have something of interest for the papers of the world every morning. Judging from the start she will. The outcome of this struggle may be as suggested by a cartoon in the last number of the "Review of Reviews." The great Bear and Japan are playing checkers; Japan is cornered and waiting for the Bear to move. Japan: "Don't you ever intend to move?" Russia: "I was just wondering what would become of you if I did." It has also been prophesied by wiser heads than mine that ere this malee shall be finished all the nations may be drawn into the vortex of war. But this remains to be seen. Katherine Keeler. WHAT OF THAT? I. "Tired; well, what of that? Didst fancy life was spent on beds ef ease, Fluttering the rose leaves scattered by the breeze? Come, rouse thee, work while it is called today. Coward, arise! go forth upon thy way. II. "Lonely; well, what of that? Someone must be lonely; 'tis not given to all To feel a heart responsible rise and fall To blend another life into its own. Work mav be done in lonliness; work on! III. "Dark; well, what of that? Didst dream the sun would never set? Did fear to lose thy way? Take courage yet, Learn to walk by faith, and not by sight, Thy steps will guided be, and guided right. IV. "Hard; well, what of that? Didst fancy life one summer holiday, With lessons none to learn and nought but play? Go, get thee to thy task; conquer or die! It must be learned, learn it patiently. V. "No help, nay 'tis not so. Though human life be far, thy God is nigh; Who feeds the raven, hearr his children's cry; He's near thee whereso'er thy footsteps roam, And He will guide thee, light thee, help thee on-" Goethe. Ex. "Oh! why art thou not near me? Oh! my love!" sang a sere-nader the other night; and yet, when the girl, who was leaning too far out of the window, lost her balance and dropped right on him, the fellow acted as confused as could be. Some men cannot stand success. Era.