The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-04-13
Japan and the Pelews.

Madrid already has another sensation on
the subject Of SPANS relations with foreign
powers. 1t is based on the old surmise Of
the undue encroachment OF these powers
on islands that do not belong to them. First
the United States Government was accused
Of trying to annex San Domingo; then
France was suspected Of IN intent to coerce
the same republic: now. the story in Ma
drid is that Japan has seized the Pelews.
1t must at least be acknowledged that
such a seizure would give Spain a genuine
grievance. San Domingois an independent
country. not under European guardianship
of any kind. and Spain has no more respon-
sibility for its future than for the future Of
Mexico or Venezuela. or any other Ameri-
can republic which she once possessed and
which Is now free. But with the Pelews
the case is different. Her tito to that
group is good. and she will no doubt be
justified in attempting to drive out the
Japanese il they seize 1t.
The main point Of interest in the report
Is Its suggestion that Japan Is a progress
sive power. There is little doubt that in
her ambition to become the leading nation
OF eastern Asia she is taking steps to ex-
tend her influence in the Pacific. as her
natural sphere OF naval and commercial
prominence. She maintains an army OF
only moderate size. organized mainly on
the French system. but her naval estab-
lishment and her coast fortresses are relied
upon for defence against invasion. Her
modern Qualifications are pushed with
energy, attention being chiefly given to
those Of Toxic and OF the chief entrances to
her inland sea: while her steady acouisi-
tlon OF fast cruisers, armorcd and protect
ed. has long been known. She has a dock
yard at Yokosuka. where she constructs
war vessels, thus gradually becoming indie
pendent OF English and French workshops.
Recognizing the analogy of her position to
that OF Great Britain. an insular kingdom
with powerful neighbors on the Continent.
she is bent or having a strong marine.
Japan also has colonial aspirations. In
further analogy to Great Britain. She is
sending out her people to various islands
of the Pacific. In Hawaii her coolies have
been supplantlng those OF China. and have
proved excellent workers on the sugar plan
tati0ns. The Japanese there In 1890 num-
hered 1880. against 1860 Chinese: and a
proof of their large colonization by families
is that there We're Q. ZOO males and 2.0SO fe-
males. while the Chinese showed 10 .79O
males and only TO females. Since 1890 tho
Japanese emigration to Hawaii has in
creased. and at one time required a
monthly steanler service from Yokohama
to Honolulu.
Hawaii. however. is only one OF Japan's
points of colonization. She has her people in
the Carolines. the Bonins. and the Ladrones.
and about a yea ago agreed with France to
send about G.OOO coolies annually to New
Caledonia. for work In the nickel mines OF
that island. She has organized a Depart
ment OF Emigration and Foreign Colonies.
devoted to stimulating the establishment
OF her subjects in other lands. Her Par
Lament has subsidized steamers to run
between theSeome ports and these new col
onies: and not long ago al expedition Of