New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-24

basis as most would claim, the right 'ahis"e'
as soon rs the superiority Of culture vanishes-aS
soon that u.s. as the Asian States do as Japah
has done. and show themselves capable OF COM
ing up 10 the European standard. IT, on the
other hand It rest upon nothing but superior
phy steal force. on the old plan that might makes
right the right vanishcs again as soon as mat
superiority vanishes-as soon rs III" now SuoJ'ct
races learn 10 Use arms and strategy. and ac-
uuire the art Of war rs we'll as Europeans have
acquired IT, II either ease Europe may as well
Weld 70 the inevitable 1T is Kismet'
That is. If all Asia shall indeed awake; which
does not seem entirely probable. The Japanese
have done so. But there Is no sure indication
that other peoples will follow their example, or
are capable Of doing so. Others have come
even more into contact with European ciyiliZa-
ton than they. and for longer period OF time,
but have not shown 1.-THE Of their imitativ" or
adaptive faculty. China has become acquainted
with the arts Of the West only 10 harden her
heart against them. Is 1t probable that her
heart will be changed by this war? And II II
is will her phlegmatic, stold people rival the
sensitive mercurial JAPANESE? India. too, has
learned in great measure the ways Of Europe;
but shows actually far less spirit Of resistance
or Of independence than she did Il century ago.
Nor are there important symptoms OF revival
elsewhere In Asia, nor any convincing proofs
that the uprising of one State is bound 10 trans
form the nature Of all The others.
But II there should be any such general awak-
enlng and throwing off Of European tuteag" or
tyranny what reason is there for surprising tn"
result would be evil? No harm has come 10 the
world but much good from the opening ana
marvellous progress of Japan. new member
has been added 10 the family Of enlightened ma
lions II will be- blessing II this present war
adds 10 Japan's power and prestige, and makes
her dominant In Asian affairs. 1t would be Il
greater blessing II this war, or any other cause.
should arouse China herself and all Asia TO such
ncwn,ss Of life that they would forsake the
ways ~ barlarism for the ways Of civilization.
4 great nation unclvilZrd is a menace 10 the
world. even though 1t be held in subsection; but
the same nation civilized is not. because III"
very fact Of It's civilization makes it benrficcnt
instead Of malefic force. Nothing but utter
s.ltislnnss can make men fear the civilization Of
their fellows: and nothing but a base spirit OF
caste illogical rs It is contemplate. can make
Europeans regard with dsfavor The development
Of culture among Asiaiic races We claim s'i-
pcrlorly for CaucaSiaus. but the simon-Dnre
Caucasian is Il savage We pride ourselves upon
Japhctc origin: hut the S"miics first attained
high civilization. and to-day are far more than
holding their own in leadership Of human af-
fairs We boast the greatness of the Aryan
rncr: vet half Of ii Is subject and scrvile II the
sons Of Tur can do as we'll aS The sons Of lri. IL
the sons Of Ham can rival the sons Of Japhe In
all the elements of human progress and human
greatness let them have chance 10 do 50.
This is no time fo cry halt 10 civilization, Oh the
Yang Use any more than on the Thames.