The  first  consequence  of  the  Russo-Japanese  War  was
a  general  recognition  of  the  power  of  new  Japan.  She
had  proved  herself  far  stronger  than  people  had  sup-
posed her  to  be,  and  since  the  treaty  of  peace  she  has  been
adding  feverishly  to  her  military  equipment  so  that  to-
day she  is  far  stronger  than  she  was  then.  Russia  has
suffered  a  very  severe  check,  which,  though  it  has  not


CHINA    IN    WORLD    POLITICS  ii

permanently  weakened  the  strength  of  the  Empire,  has
diminished  its  situation  in  the  world  for  the  time  being.
The  war  came  as  a  surprise  to  the  Russian  people.  It
was  never  popular,  and  its  outcome  has  disgusted  with
ambitious  Asiatic  enterprises,  not  only  the  Russian  pub-
lic, but  Russian  statesmen.  The  feeling  to-day  is  in  favor
of  peace,  of  internal  reforms,  and  of  attention  to  Euro-
pean rather  than  to  Asiatic  international  questions.  Many
fear  further  hostility  on  the  part  of  Japan.  On  the  other
hand,  it  is  not  at  all  impossible  that  Russia  and  Japan,
moved  by  the  same  desire  to  keep  the  territory  they  con-
trol in  Manchuria,  may  soon  not  only  follow  a  common
policy,  but  act  in  unison,  against  those  who  oppose  them.
The  Anglo-Japanese  alliance  was  renewed  in  1905.
