The herald., 1894-08-20
A SUGGESTIVE LESSON.

There is no question OF the fact that,
ss far as it has progressed, the present
war between China and Japan comss as
an awakener to the peoples both Of this
continent and OF Europe. OF course 1t
would be wrong to attempt to take in
the situation through the bombas.ic and
exaggerated oriental spsctacles. What
one Asiatic nation can do to any other
Asiatic nation is no standard as to what
either OF them could do to an American
or European nationality. Bonn bast and
lying are the very essence of all accounts
which either China or Japan would give
OF the performance of either nation at
this stage OF the game. OF course,
it is quite possible that Japan
may have made q vigorous dash
at her more numbering opponent;
and, to certain extent. she may have
disabled her. Such incidents are liable
to happen in all wars. But the proba-
bility is extreme that the contest is Just
in its inception, and that Japan is at the
end OF the operations which command
the fullest telegraphic facilities. China
has been for ages the blowhard of ma
tions, but it should not bs forgotten that
she has always emerged with undimin-
ished territory and with numbers that
are simply incslculable. Under the cir
cumstances it is not strained expects-
tion to look for her temperance with
scarcely lessened resources from the
present war. To knock out her incom-
measurable millions is good deal like
trying to wear off the face OF the eternal
hills.
But there is ons aspect OF the present
difficulty in the orient, however it may
terminate, that should not be over
looked. and that is that these myriads
OF the far East, for good or i'll, know
how to fight. For purposes OF sordid
gain the occidental nations have sup
piled them with modern srmaments and
with arms Of precision. The Japanese,
in particular, have always been noted
for an undisciplined valor. Hereafter
the world is notified that Japan, in ad.
dition to being valiant, Is thoroughly
equipped for war; sad this is true in
greater or less degree of China.
In view of this surprising develop
mont what excuse have the people OF
America in neglecting to fortify their
coasts and in failing to spsnd four or
five hundred millions OF dollars, after
the English method. on their navy?
The statesman who halls from Oshkosh
or from Pesey county, Injianny, may
feel secure enough and it is probable
that he will never see Japanese war
rior OF Two-swords or ferocious man
DARN OF the yellow button in mis- near
neigh borhood, but great nation like
the United States must bs prepared to
give hostages of fortune for the future.
This country cannot afford to be supine
or to be the shuttlecock and battlsdore OF
fortune.
Some years ago our fellow citizen, P.
W. Dooner, ESQ.,, wrote q book in which
he pictured the Chinese as ultimately
the conquerors Of our western civilza-
tion. None OF our people wers much
scared atthis work, but in the light OF
recent events it would make good read
ing today. In view OF the good start
Japan has had in the present war, Mr..
Dooner might moro properly have select.
ed the land of the ohryanthemum as tn
source OF danger. But. at all events,
the question is q pregnant oee. The
United States ought Immediately to be-
gin the expenditure of half billion of
dollars on navy with view to con-
quering China and holding it as an ap-
panage for revenue only" and thus
anticipate any Asiatic contrstemps.