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Show A BEAR CAN'T EAT CHRYSANTHEMUMS, The usual observer of the world's affairs speculating upon the probable hostilities betwee Russia and Japan appears to believe that a coi test between these two powers would be like unit a small band of Liliputians hammering violent!) and ineffectually at an army of giants. He generally underrates the fighting possibS ties of the beflowered little empire. He appean to forget that Japan has a fair-sized and tier oughly modern navy and a standing army d 170,000, with a reserve of 480,000 experienced s4 diers, which combined would make as large a army as was ever launched against a foe 1 modem times. Russia's fleet is much larger, as is the ami of the Bear, but many of the battleships are of oi solete construction, and a large squadron musti all times be retained in the Black Sea. If Russia attempted to land forces on Japanest soil, she would run the risk of having her squad ron wrecked under the Japanese guns. The rt markable fortifications of the Inland Sea wot! withstand, for a long time at least, the Invasb of the strongest fleet of any of the nations. IU studded with forts and battleships prowl cm stantly in the waters. It is probable, however, that in case of rc Russia would not take the initiative, and Japs would be forced to make a dash with her trans ports to land a fighting force at Korea. In tli there would of course be the danger of intend tion by the Russian battleships. But it i not difficult dif-ficult to imagine that with an immense force at Korea, the strategic and Inspirational little fighters fight-ers of Japan would for many months at least administer ad-minister a severe chastisement to the heavier forces of the CzarS It is possible that there might be a meeting of the squadrons of the rival empires, and which ever way the issue went it would vastly cripple the opposing power, and defeat on the seas would place the smaller empire out of the fighting. , But Japan at least is prepared to pummel the Bear strenuously for a few months. And a few brilliant maneuvers, whether resulting in dangerously danger-ously injuring the Czar and his Cossack hordes or not, would give tho immaculate kingdom a lofty standing with the other nations and puissantly invite in-vite their intervention and assistance. |