Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-21
ENGLAND AND JAPAN.
The New Treaty Read I'm the Light of
Other Recent Events.

othef Recent LNeuts-
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
At the first glance the PRONUNCIATION OF
the above-named treaty looks like an act
of simple Justice; and, considering that
Great Britain is the first foreign nation to
recognize the japanese right to try, and, II
need be, punish foreigners in Japan. Il
seems peculiarly graceful; but a moments
reflection may indicate that such reasons
from such source are incredibly absurd,
and would bring a grin to the foce even Of
bold Briton
The attitude Of England toward Japan In
her present war with China is more or less
unfriendly edwin Arnold's taste for the
ialr sex In Japan need not count on the other
sloe). The action of the British authori-
tes IN sending the ubiquitous gunboat to
demand the instant giving up OF the Eng
llshmen who were saved by the japanese
| from drowning when the British transport
carrying Chinese troops was properly sunk,
shows the trend II feeling; especially when
accompanied by lashings Of the lions tail
always fercest when the ether country has
fits hands full Gas in own Trent affair.
So far we have not heard that gunboat
was sent to bully China in consequence OF
the murder of and outrages upon mission
aries in various places; apologies could be
waited for in those cases; what were the
lives and property of mere missionaries In
comparison with possible embarrassment to
the trade with China? And besides the
lambs had been admonished 10 be cautious
and not the wolves.
Again, we have another instance OF
Britieh fair play in the alleged incident OF
August H. when neutral English COM
mander fired salute" at l am. 70 a
japanese fleet approaching Wei-Hai-Wei-
of course. to warn the Chinese not TO be
caught mapping. That is a characteristic
tri *. If true. for IL recalls that still other
Enthusiastically" commander. who was
stationed at Heligoland during the Prus-
var
noting any movement in the Prussian neet
used to get under way with great exhibition
of black smoke and make short, un-
necessary cruise to the northward so that
the Danish vessels would not be taken by
surprise.
AS it is well nigh impossible that the
Anglo-Japanese treaty could be animated
by mere justice and grace, the question
arises; What was the object? Formerly a
Brltlsh subject committing a wrong in
Japan had to be given up TO his own au-
thorities for trial; this was CALLING 20 Jap
anese spirit, but they Loyalty obeyed the
treaty, while endeavoring 20 have IL legally
abrogated, ana IL is to our disgrace that
We, who introduced the new nation 20 the
world, neglected to carry out, first, this
recognition of equality. Urder the new
treaty, however, IL universal Japanese
courts may try the foreign wrongdoer. and
II would be easy for England TO find fault
with any detail OF a trial or a punishment
| which did not suit her ideas for the mo-
ment, OF what was best for British inter-
| time under the new system, with that ally
OF the evil one-the British fleet IL was,
no doubt, her object to intervene at the
hrst opportunity. under the plea of Justice
TO some scamp, and so embarrass Japan IN
her war with China without arousing the
Jealousy of other foreign nations.
But perhaps she has oveTshot the mark IN
her friendly" haste. IL the recent rush OF
events be truly reported. and a large Japan
csc force is already advancing upon the
Moukden-Tientsin railroad, with a fighting
chance of Selling Peking in a few weeks,
there may have TO be British Intervention
sooner. and more pointed than was expect
ed, TO save the Chinese capital This recalls
the Russo-Turkish war of 1877, when the
Russians were about TO capture well-earned
Constantinople after a hard-fought CAM
paign, but British intervention temporarily
preserved for Europe the inestimable bless
ing of the unspeakable Turk; many OF US
remember the circumstances: England was
so virtuously afraid that the Russians
light violate the treaty of 1s4l-'50 and pass
the Bosphorus. that she violated the treaty
herself and passed the Dardaneiies.
Will some other powerful nation stand by
TO take a hand in the Chinese-Japanese war
in reply 10 any threatened British interven-
ton? il so, she will not intervene for Pek-
ing nor for Justice" and Japan may retain
those advantages which she may deservedly
wrench from her present gigantic enemy.
NICK