The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-07-28
VIEWS OF A CABINET oFFIcER.
Some Facts Which Appear to Be I'm
perfectly Understood in This


Washington, July pa member Of
1.-THE cabinet, referring to the reported
declaration of war between China and
Japan, said: Undoubtedly there has
been no declaration of war; otherwise
we should have heard the fact from our
minister at Japan. There are some
facts relative to the strained relations
between China and Japan which appear
to be imperfectly understood in this
country. The japanese government is
more progressive than the Chinese peo-
lpie are. The Japanese government have
isent young men to the United States,
England and Europe generally and they
have obtained education and have made
rapid advancement. Japan is the one
lcountry of the Orient which has assum-
led the manner of our civilization The
purpose of the present government is to
| lift Japan out of the beaten track of the
Oriental system and to make that coun-
ltry the advance post of civilization in
the Orient.
But this progress has been too rapid
for the people. The Japanese masses
have not been lifted up to the high
plane of civilization which the govern
ment occupies and to which its leaders
seek to bring the people.
The consequence is that there is a
very great deal Of unrest in Japan and
there is serious danger of a revolt on
the part Of many Japanese, led by
ignorant and vicious leaders, to over
throw the present dynasty. That, I
take it, is one of the reasons of the
aggressive attitude of Japan toward
| China in the matter of Corea. The
Japanese government has maintained
its army in Corea under circum-
stances which are well known, and
adheres to the resolute attitude as
regards Japan undoubtedly for the
Interior political purpose at home of
diVerting attention of the disconnected
masses of the japanese from their re-
volt against the progress of the present
government of Japan to foreign COM
plications.
The japanese government is not
| anxious to go to war Wits Corea, but
| it is much more anxious to have a
naval war with China than 70 sup
press rebellion of its own people.
The japanese government would not
be supposed to be able to enter into a
contest with the empire of China with
the many millions of people the latter
country controls, but it is not to be
forgotten that, while China could I'M
doubtedly defeat Japan upon the land,
the japanese government could with
| the same certainty defeat China on
a'NNN-
lent navy. They have modern war
| ships commanded by officers who are
| thoroughly competent, and who have
| been educated in the best schools of
! Europe and the United States.
| The ordnance and armament are of
the most improved patterns The
Chinese navy is greatly inferior and
come the Chinese in battle at sea.
If such a result should follow the
| prestige which the japanese govern
ment would secure at home would en-
able in to overcome internal dissen-
sions. If war should ensue and the
Japanese should be victorious, pn-
doubtedly the result would be to
reconcile the disconnected masses in
Japan to the present dynasty and
probably to prevent a revolt
The United States has been friend
| ly to JAPAN" continued the cabinet Of
fcer. TT is probable that cur friend
ship, while it has been a great bene-
fit to the Japanese government, may
have been an injury SO far as enabling
! it to secure the absolute control of the
people of the empire is concerned.
There is a growing jealousy there be-
tween the people and the government,
and it is due in part to the friendship
which the Japanese government has,
not only toward the United States, but
towards other civilized people If
there should be a declaration of war
between China and Japan the result
would be awaited with interest 1t
| is said the United States government
rendered it's good offices to settle any
disputes which may have arisen be-
tween China and Japan in the matter
of Corea. There has not been as has
been stated in the sensational press.
any attempt on the part of the pre-
sent administration of the United
States to take sides either with China
or Japan. The only object has been,
while maintaining the friendship of
this government toward both China
! and Japan to avert, if possible, by
friendly meditation, the threatened
confiice between the two countries"