--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Tanner, J. M. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 7 number: 6 published: 1904-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'J. M. Tanner, "Some Leading Events in the Current Story of the World," *Improvement Era* 7, no. 6 (April 1904): 459–467.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0706unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0706unse start_page: 459 end_page: 467 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1904-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0706unse publication_year: 1904 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1904, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Some Leading Events in the Current Story of the World SOME LEADING EVENTS IN THE CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. BY DR. J. M. TANNER, SUPERINTENDENT OF CHURCH SCHOOLS. Were the Japanese Guilty of Treachery? The Russians have characterized the attack of Japan upon the Russian fleet at Port Arthur as a "stab in the back," and describe it as a "truly Asiatic" piece of treachery. There was no formal declaration of war, and the Russians explain their naval reverses as a surprise for which they were unprepared. The French also take the same view, but France is the ally of Russia, and, of course, in full sympathy with Russian ambition. The world will hardly take that view of it. It is not an un- common thing for nations to go to war without a formal declara- tion; and the question of fact in the present war is, had both nations reasonable ground to expect hostilities? After Japan had waited an unnecessary length of time for an answer to her last note, and during all the delay saw the feverish haste with which Russia was pushing preparations for war, she recalled her am- bassador from St. Petersburg. When, on February 6, M. Kurino announced to the Russian Foreign Office his recall, and that "thereafter Japan would reserve entire liberty of action" in the matter, it was understood that war was at hand. But did the Japanese make the first attack? Two attacks were made on the night of the 8th, one by the Japanese at Port Arthur, and the other at Chemulpo, in Korea. The time of the Port Arthur conflict is not fixed by any of the dispatches before 11 p. m., and some fix it at 2 and 3 a. m., of the 9th. At Chemulpo the Russians fired upon some Japanese torpedo boats that were accompanying transports into the bay, as early as 9 p. m. of the 8th. It is not at all likely that either country was apprised that night of what the other was doing, but whichever fired the first shot, it is evident both considered the time opportune to 460 IMPROVEMENT ERA. strike. If any breach of international law has been committed, both nations are equally guilty. The Russians had two days in which to telegraph their commanding general, Alexeieff, at Port Arthur of the withdrawal of diplomatic relations. Alexeieff was not only put on his guard, but the Korlietz, under his command, pro- ceeded at once to Chemulpo bay, and fired upon the Japanese torpedo boats, and paid the penalty of its rash act by its being totally dis- abled. The Progress of the War. In the midst of the many conflicting statements that come about the military operations between Russia and Japan, it is im- possible at this time to determine just what has been done. Some of the movements ascribed to the Japanese army are so absurd, when the distance and conditions of the country are considered, as to be wholly unwhorthy of belief; however, so much is satis- factorily known as to give us an assurance that Japan commands the naval situation. The division of the Russian navy at Port Arthur was really most menacing to Japan. From the beginning, however, Russia was really at a great disadvantage in the disposi- tion of her navy, as she was obliged to divide it in two, using one part for the protection of Vladivostock and the other for the defense of Port Arthur, while the Japanese were in a position, practically to concentrate her navy. The bombardment and siege of Port Arthur demonstrated at the outset that Japan was really superior in the equipment of her navy, and it is definitely known at this writing that in this port nine Russian warships have been put out of action by the Japanese. As soon as Russia's navy had been put out of commission, Japan could begin at once on a large scale the transportation of her troops across the narrow straits between Japan and Corea to the latter country. Corea was, therefore, the first objective point of the Japanese land forces, and Japan soon made herself master of Corea, and at the earliest possible opportunity entered into treaty stipulations with Corea, by which Japan assured the Coreans their independence under the Japanese sphere of influence. While Japan did not annex Corea, it placed strings on that empire which brought the latter virtually under the tutelage of Japan. CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 461 As was expected, the Yalu river became the point of actual contact between the opposing armies. The Russians would natur- ally make a desperate effort to prevent the Japanese soldiers from crossing this boundary river between Manchuria and Japan. If the Russians could not stop the soldiers of Japan at the Yalu, it would not be possible to prevent them from reaching the Russian rail- road leading to Port Arthur. If the Japs could cross the river* they could evidently take the railroad, and thus cut off all connec- tion between Port Arthur and its base of supplies at Harbin, a Russian city of about sixty thousand inhabitants, nearly six hun- dred miles north of Port Arthur. Alexeieff , who was in command of the Russian forces of Manchuria, clearly saw the direction of the forecast which the Japs had made, and promptly withdrew the headquarters of the army northward, so as not to be caught in the trap which the Japanese were laying for him. The Japanese have shown themselves in all their movements to be most excellent strategists, and their ability to mobilize a large army has never had a parallel except in the Franco-Prussian war. Japan is really the only country in the world that held out any hope of an ability to drive Russia out of Manchuria. Japan is spoken of as little Japan, but it is doubtful whether a single nation of Europe, Germany perhaps excepted, can produce as large and well equip- ped an army as Japan. The Japanese soldier has tremendous power of endurance. He has never been demoralized by the drinking habit that abounds among the rank and file of the soldiers of other countries. The Russian soldier is excessively intemperate in the matter of drink, and this war is likely to afford the world a telling lesson in the value of sobriety. Japan is practically fighting at home, and can put, in a short period of time, at least 500,000 soldiers in the field. It is hardly too much to say that not any two nations of Europe could have as effectually met the Russians in Manchuria as the Japanese. Time is the essence of this war. Whatever is done effectually against Russia must be done at once. Finances in the Present War. It is difficult to determine, in the case of nations as in the case of individuals, what one can do in dire extremity. It is 462 IMPROVEMENT ERA. certain that Japan's credit is good, and there is the strongest probability that the Japanese have managed their financial affairs with the same forethought and thoroughness that they have or- ganized and handled their army. Japan was most fortunate in her alliance with Britain. The ability of that kingdom to aid Japan in a financial way was a matter of no small importance. As a matter of fact, Britain, through her loans, has perhaps done as much for Japan as she could do were she to furnish Japan a con- siderable number of soldiers, bat without giving Japan the financial credit which the Mikado's empire needs. Then, Japan knows that Great Britain can and will give to her financial aid, and especially if the Japanese make any headway in the war. Russia, on the other hand, is very much embarrassed. The French, who are the allies of the Russians, have not shown any disposition to advance money to the Russian Government in the present crisis. France does not doubt the ability of Russia to meet her obligations, but France knows that Russia will need a considerable period of time to regain her financial equilibrium; besides, the French, according to accepted computations, have already loaned to Russia something like $300,000,000. The ordi- nary means of producing revenue in Russia are not at all adequate to meet the expense of the present war. The Russian gold reserve will be very quickly exhausted, and the resources in Russia by which revenues can be created are not many or extensive. Russia has, however, one resource that may meet the financial exegencies of the present war. That resource is the church, which possesses enormous wealth, compared with which all of Russia's other financial resources are merely a drop in the bucket. War is like the sea, it has a capacity for swallowing up everything that falls into it. King Coal. Coal is king whether a "merry old soul" or not. The ever- increasing use of iron, and the great part it plays in the commerce and progress of modern civilization make its dependence upon coal greater every year. The coal question is one of serious importance to the world. The further we are compelled to go down into the bowels of the earth to get it, the more expensive it becomes. CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 463 Practically all the coal of the world, today, comes from five nations, the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France and Belgium, and its increase in these countries during late years, has hardly been equal to the demands. The world's commerce and civilization are greatly in need of new coal fields, and the great nations of the world are looking anxiously to China to supply the growing de- mand. It is estimated that China has two hundred thousand square miles in which there are coal deposits. This makes her coal fields the largest in the world, but though China leads the world in its known coal areas, the coal of that country has lain dormant be- cause of the difficulty of its transportation. But since great cor- porations are projecting railroads in all directions, and into the heart of China, the coal problem there will soon be solved. The European nations will in many ways be greatly in need of China's coal. What Japan is, therefore, doing in arresting either the act- ual or commercial occupation of Manchuria by China, is in the in- terest of the great powers. Manchuria's great coal fields will some day be a source of untold wealth, to which free access is very desirable. The United States today leads the world in the production of coal, as will be seen from the following table: 1900 1902 United States 240,000,000 tons. 269,000,000 tons. Great Britian 225,000,000 " 227,000,000 " Germany 149,000,000 " 150,000,000 " France 32,000,000 " 29,000,000 " Belgium 23,000,000 " 22,000,000 " It will be further seen that the United States and Great Brit- ain together produce more than two-thirds of all the coal in the world, and coal gives us a fairly good example of the relative wealth of the leading nations which produce it. The amount of coal produced by each miner also affords an interesting example of the relative productiveness of the different nations. In the United States, each miner takes out on an average five hundred and twenty tons of coal a year. Great Britain, two hundred and seven- ty-eight; Germany, two hundred and forty- two; France, one hundred and ninety-eight, and Belgium, one hundred and sixty-six. 464 IMPR0VEMEN1 ERA. This may in part be accounted for in the fact that our miners are working nearer the surface. It will be noticed that Russia is not included in the list of coal-producing nations, because its output is not very great. It will be seen, then, with what longing the statesmen of these two nations, now at war, are casting their eyes upon the coal fields of Manchuria. Both Russia and Japan are anxious to establish manufacturing industries, practically all of which are dependent on king coal. Coal, iron, and cheap labor, in China, may yet revolutionize the iron industry. Cuba in Fashion. Cuba must follow the fashion. Other nations have debts, why should not she? When this country rescued Cuba from Spain, that republic was enabled by the generosity of the United States to begin its career free from debt. And then Cuba, too, has kept out of debt and has money in her treasury. So the question may be asked, why must Cuba have an indebtedness? Cuba has just floated its first loan which amounts to thirty-five million dollars. The fact is, this amount is to be distributed to Cubans who are now making a claim on the country for services rendered in the cause of Cuban liberation. The number of the Cuban army on the rolls is said to be about fifty thousand. This is an enormous num- ber for such a little country, and one is led to wonder where so many soldiers were, especially during the time of our contest with Spain in Cuba. Fifty thousand soldiers would get out of thirty- five million dollars, nearly seven hundred dollars apiece,the officers, of course, claiming a larger share than the men in the ranks; but perhaps this amount will be reduced, from the fact that the loan will not bring more than ninety cents on the dollar, so that the few bankers who carry the loan will get a very handsome amount out of it. Then the delay in distributing this money will give the brokers a handsome opportunity to make a neat little sum, for soldiers will often be too impatient to wait, and will therefore sell their claims for greatly reduced sums. The Americans have been very much disposed to question the existence of anything like an army of fifty thousand. When the Americans landed in Cuba, two thousand Cuban soldiers were about all that could be found, and only about one thousand five hundred Cubans appeared at Santi- CURRENT STORY OF THE WORLD. 465 ago. At Guantanarao, perhaps five hundred Cubans joined us in the fight. But after all, will the Cubans be satisfied, or will the distribu- tion of thirty-five million dollars among fifty thousand fighters simply whet their appetites for more? No doubt they will demand some kind of appropriation for pensions, and it is easy to see how the Cubans may go on to financial destruction. This may easily be the case, for it is a common weakness among Spanish-American Republics, if the United States does not stand sponser for Cuba financially. According to the Piatt resolutions, which the Cubans were obliged to incorporate in their constitution, this country may veto a far-reaching extravagance, should it threaten Cuba's stabil- ity or independence. Such a responsibility, however, is not a pleasant task for us. If the Cubans set their hearts on extravagance, and we insist on prevent- ing it, they will say all sorts of hard things about us, and who can predict that we shall not have a very serious family quarrel? We were very generous with Cuba. Our war for her liberation cost the government eight hundred and sixty-one thousand dollars each day of its continuance, and the cost did not end there ; we shall have to pay out millions before the pension list for Cuban soldiers has been wiped out. It is to be hoped that the Cubans will be reasonable, and learn to withstand the threat to overthrow the government if the ex- action of her soldiers are not promptly met. It was said that there was a growing sentiment among Cuban soldiers "to take to the hills," start a revolution and overthrow the government, in case a loan were not floated for the payment of the soldiers. The amount given certainly seems liberal, but whether the ex-soldiers will be satisfied with it is a matter of serious doubt; one thing is certain, this country will not permit in Cuba the fashionable pas- time of such revolutions as are gotten up yearly in many Central and South American republics. Thirty-five millions distributed through ut the islands will certainly do much to stimulate and make permanent Cuban prosperity. It will reach the masses in the most effectual way that distribution could; and this country will always rejoice in Cuba's good fortune. EDITOR'S TABLE. SENATOR SMOOT'S CASE. The first witness to be examined in the Smoot hearing before the Senate Committee .on Privileges and Elections, which began in Washington on the 2nd of March, was President Joseph F. Smith. The hearing continued until the 12th, and Presidents Smith and Lyman arrived home on Monday, 14th. The hearing took a broad scope and there was an unprecedented opportunity well embraced to explain the organization, teachings, doctrines, and workings of the Church, in a way that attracted much attention. The private affairs of President Smith and others who have deemed it no wrong or breach of the moral law to continue the family relations which existed prior to the Manifesto of 1890, were fully exploited. It was shown that the Church still believes in the divinity of the revelation permitting plural marriage, though it does not coun- tenance, sustain or permit these relations to be entered into by its members, since the issuance of the Manifesto; "but if the principle were attacked," said President Smith, "we should defend it." Only three per cent of the members have practiced plural marriage, and it was shown by statistics that the number has decreased con- stantly by death, since 1890, to the present time. A large number of witnesses were examined, both members and non-members of the Church. The hearing was rather an in- vestigation into Church affairs than into conditions affecting Sen- ator Smoot, and from the consensus of press opinion, and a consid- eration of the evidence, no point has so far been made against the Senator. The clamor for his expulsion, however, is even more pro- nounced than before, from women's organizations and ministers, the reason being that they are misled, and do not understand the real situation among the Latter-day Saints. No person who is temperate, religious and thoroughly familiar with moral conditions EDITORS TABLE 467 in Utah can righteously accuse the Latter-day Saints of immoral practices, the apparent infraction of the law being technical rather than real. Neither was there any evidence, nor can there be, of the truth of the idea or contention sought to be upheld, that Church members are under such bonds to obey the Church that they are not free to be good citizens of our country. The question, as far as Senator Smoot is concerned, has come to this, whether an active, ruling member of the "Mormon" Church can serve as Sen- ator of the United States. Since the constitution excludes relig- ious tests, and since Senator Smoot stands out clean and faultless in every moral test, it can not be seen, by people who are well-in- formed and reasonable, how he can be interfered with, or unseated. The national effect of the investigation, so far, has been rather to gain respect for the witnesses and for the Church, than otherwise. President Smith is loud in praise of the treatment he received from the members of the committee, and senators and congressmen, as well as the people generally, and has nothing but kind expressions for them. The effect of the testimony at home has been marked for good; has tended to clarify the position of the Church, and drive away the fog of evasion and uncertainty. The Church holds that the revelation on plural marriage is divine, yet the further taking of plural wives is forbidden, since the manifesto; while the rela- tions with wives previously taken is winked at, for good and humani- tarian reasons, but not taught. A few people, who are mostly disappointed politicians, (though there are a few fair men among them), and, in the estima- tion of many, not over-particular in their own moral relations, ex- cept in theory, have, it is true, professed themselves greatly shocked at the "revelations," as if they were just made familiar with the conditions. As a result, they have begun an agitation for a new political party, and demand that "this law-breaking be given up in all its forms, and that Utah shall keep, in spirit and in letter, the faith it has pledged to the people of the United States.* Since good moralists differ as to whether the abandonment of the families, in the cases mentioned, is the better plan, and as there was from the beginning a tacit understanding they should not be disturbed; and since Utah, as far as the Church people are