The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-27
AMERICAS MISSION IN THE EAST.

Those Japs are queer people.
They begin building their houses at
the roof and finish up with the Gel
lar, if they have one, as an after
thought In fighting they make no
noise, march with no bands, and
their drums beat no reveille or
tattoo. Even in charge they utter
no cheers. 1t is plain, straight bust
ness-like fighting, and unlike the an
cient Chinese the Japs do not at
tempt to scare the enemy by turning
fantastic summersaults and firing off
cannon fire-crackers. Such silence,
with the prestige of success begot-
ten of uncontemplated victory, has
made them terror to the Chinese
and shows that these little people of
the Orient differ in many respects
from their neighbors of the East as
they do from the peoples of the
West. Ever since the peace between
China and Japan was concluded the,
rising power of the Orient has been
the subject of not little conjecture,
mingled with some apprehension
among European nations, not ac-
customed heretofore to take Japan
into account in prefguring the des-
tiny of the East.
The courage and modernness of
of this brave people, the unexpected
diplomatic tact and ability shown in
outwitting Russia in its triple coali
ton to wrest from Japan the fruits OF
her signal victories, all these have
produced a powerful and favorable
impression in Europe and America.
The japanese have been quick also
to understand the complications in
which their unexpected success has
involved them, and are not slow to
show at home their appreciation of
foreign friendliness or unfriendliness.
Toward America and England they
are especially friendly and while
other foreigners are questioned
closely and guarded when they ap-
pear in certain quarters, the simple
words II am an American" or 81 am
an Englishman" at once dissolves
their usual frigidity with strangers
and gives passport and instant and
enthusiastic welcome everywhere.
And England, both from CONNER
cial and political reasons, does well
to conciliate Japan and ally itself in
all except formal agreement with the
new civilizing power of the East,
while as Americas nearest occiden-
tai neighbor Japan is country with
which we ought to be on specially
friendly terms. Within the lives of
men still living the distance between
Europe and America has been short
ened from months to weeks and from
weeks to few days, and indications
now clearly prophesy that not many
years will pass before Japan and the
United States will be next-door
neighbors with the grand open water
way of the Pacific, covered with
commerce such as is now scarcely
dreamed of. Japan's great friendli-
ness toward America, as we'll as the
kind disposition even of China toward
this country. Notwithstanding the
Geary law and various acts of which
we are not proud, are reasons for con-
graduation and point with unerring
certainty our proper course toward
these two great nations whose posi-
bilities the Western world is just be
ginning to appreciate.
Mr.. Hanotaux, French Minister of
Foreign Affairs at the Fourth of July
banquet in Paris happily character
lied Americas past and presaged its
glorious future in words that have an
added meaning and significance when
viewed in connection with our rela-
tions to China and Japan. 'Today,"
said M. Hanotaux, "after century
of laborious existence, your nation
walks full of vigor and light-hearted-
ness in the front rank of civilized ma
tions, employing its admirable and
practical sense as legitimate author
ity among the nations in works of
peace and progress. Thus old France
is glorifed in having guessed the
future of your fatherland while bend
ing over your cradle"
THE PAN AMERICAN CONGRESS- AT