Both the Russian and the Japanese Governments anxiously deny the
reports that any " strain " exists in their relations. On the contrary, the Russians assert, an agreement has been recently made under wh.ch Corea is to remain "in- dependent." The denials deserve to be recorded, as evidence that neither State yet fancies itself quite ready, but they do not alter the broad facts that the Japanese are em- bittered against Russia, that they are arming both by sea and land, and that they openly proclaim their intention of securing the advantages of which after the war with China they were deprived by Russia, Germany, and France. Whether they will wait for a European complication, or anticipate events by attacking before the great Russian rail- way is finished, is a secret still locked in the breasts of the group around the Mikado. Experts who inspect the Japanese Army are amazed at its numbers and discipline, and believe it could resist the Russian,—an opinion, however, not based upon experience, as the Japanese have never fought a battle against white men. Nobody doubts their courage or their discipline, but the point is whether they possess the some- thing which in modern times has made Europeans superior to all Asiatics except the Turks.
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