The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-04
sExrrLE. r8URsDAr. OcT. =.
WHY JAPAN GOES TO WAR.

II anybody twenty-five years ago had
predicted that Japan. with at the best
5000, 600 Of people. would dare make war
in earnest against China. with over 800
OOo. 600. he would have bean laughed at:
nevertheless Japan IL making victorious
war upon China today aud nobody laughs.
least OF ell China.
IL anybody twenty-five years ago had
said tina. In 1894 the most intelligent and
able article concerning the significance
Of the Japan-Chins War" would be con-
tributed to the Forum by a native of Japan
and a student of Harvard college. he would
have been laughed at. but no man OF sense
can read the article named without hearty
admiration for people who can so quickly
not only initiate European methods but
sssimilate European thought.
Michitaro Hlsa. who writes Of Japan in
the Forum. was born In Japan; was gradu-
ated from one of tbs Christian colleges in
Tokyo in 1891, and has been three years
student of Harvard college. He is the
best informed Japanese resident in the
United States on the history of his own
country and that of China.
This gifted Japanese answers the ques-
ton 30 often asked, "why does Japan war
on China7" This question he answers
satisfactorily from both political and
humane point of view.
Japan has entered upon the present war
with China with the purpose Of protecting
her own interests In particular and OF pre-
serving the general aud permanent peace
in the East. but beyond that il is struggle
between progress and stagnation.
This brilliant Japanese says that Japan's
success means the extension of modern
civilization into Korea ard the opening Of
her wealth to the world. Chins's success
means the continuance of Korean incapac-
fly, which sooner or later must yield 20
Russian despotism.
Japan has right TO speak. She alone
OF Asiatic peoples has not simply adopted,
but has absorbed tbs methods of European
civilization. She has introduced railway.
Geographic and postal systems; she has
improved her police and jail systems: has
enacted new and enlightened criminal and
civil laws; new methods of judicial pro-
csdare; has written constitution and a
parliamentary government
The japanese are the Europeans OF Asia;
there is no race or nation In all Asia that
has ever adopted and successfully exc
cuted European methods in peace aud
fcially our methods, ont she has never
had brains enough TO seriously seek 10 re-
place her barbarssm with European ctvilixa-
ton. Japan has honestly tried TO DO this
and has succeeded. and the proof OF her
success Is her victory thus far over China.
Japan understands that England and
Russia are rivals on the Pacific coast of
Asia. Japan understands that Japan and
Korea hold the Key of the North China
Sea and the Japan sea respectively in
Tsushima and fusAn. II they srs for
ti1ed strongly the Japan sea becomes inn
pregnshle from any southern attack Port
Hamilton, even IL occupied again BY the
British, would be rendered useless ~ an
offensive station for the attack at vladi.
vosteck. Ia like manner the Russian
f.ee,s would not 10 able 10 get out TO the
China sea
II left alone Korea win before long fall
into the hands Of some aggressive foreign
power. fate which Japan can positively
not allow. II once Korea, or even the
pert OF Fussn. should fall into the hands
of Russia or England, IapSn's situation in
the Pacific would 81 once become preearI.
Gus. Not only would the Japan sea be
turned into a battlefield OF the rival
powers, in the event Of an onthr-,k
between England and Russia, but also the
defense OF Tsushims island against tho
aggressive hand Of either Russia or En-
gland would become sainenty dimeal,.
for the distance between Tsushima and
Fusan Is less than City miles, and the
power which seized one Of them would
naturally try 20 eeegray the other. which
forms with 70 the gate o. the Japan sea.
Japan found il impsrati~ely necessary
10 lend her support 10 korea 10 secure the
latsss's Independence. Japan sants moth
Ing but the Independents Of Korea. wAseh
China eaano, Re trusted 90 maintasa.
In iss2 and Issa Japan Suffered in Korea
through the dupgiesty of cA;nA- The
treaty Of 1873 Of TIsnts;n established
eoneuFreni negative guarantee OF indie
rendenee Ter Korea CHINA violated this
treaty grossly both in spirit and letter.
and korea wi;h fertile sell. temperate
eii@ate, abundant natural resources end
most advantageous geographical position.
Sas rsdaest 10 ga impoverished ccHdl-
sion. and With aa area Of 78ooo square
niles and lioo.0oo 81 people Is made in
espasie Q: SsEssEElns IL saH exssssass.