The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-18
1T DOES NOT PROMISE WELL FOR
Japan.

Since clNlnZGNOE lNNd'tl JdPGH Nui4'5
this century. the country has made more
rapid advances than any nation ever was
known 10 do in the history of the world.
There is nothing in all history more
amazing than the state and condition ia
pan shows to-day. as compared with
what she was fifty years ago
There is good reason TO fear, however,
that her progressive course is not TO be
henceforth what It has been. Japan's
successes in her war with China have
afflicted her. we fear, with the disease
that we call. when men have it, big
head" From quiet peaceful develop
ment of her people in arts and the meth
DDS of commerce she seems about 10 de-
part in quest Of the glamour and re-
nown to be gained by war. The official
organ of the japanese government thus
expresses the predominant idea now pre-
yailing:
'srhe time has gone by in which China
and COrea were the only opponents 10 De
considered by Japan. Russie, France,
England. and Germany are now 10 be
Ufdll WILL am III All' AAA'AH W '''tt'.N
prepared TO hold our own with those
countries. Japan must be so strengthen
cd and equipped as TO make herself felt
among those powers. and to that end,
within the next five years, the naval
force of this country must be SO increns-
ed as to be on an equality with the
squadrons of any two of the strongest
European nations combined. while also
within the same perod the standing army
must be increased TO double its pres
ent strength But it should BE under
stood that this increase OF the naval ana
military strength OF the empire Is .or the
purpose Of defcrce and not aggression.
That is pretty lively talk for n country
that fifty years ago was not thought by
the civilized world much more entitled
TO ,be taken into consideration in inter
national affairs than Madagascar or Cey-
lon is.
When we think Of the way that two
or three ships OF our navy, less than
half century back. sailed about IN her
waters as they pleased and directed "a
pan to do this thing or that as they
liked, it sounds almost farcical TO hear
that same Japan now saying that she
must al cnce provile herself with a ma
val establishment equal TO coping with
that Of England and France combined.
Nor is the thing impossible, strange as
1t sounds. The Japanese have learned
in few years. all that the civilized ma
tons OF the world have been so many
centuries evolving from natures recesses
with facility that is simply astounding.
and the manner in which they handled
their ships and fought them, too, in the
battle at the mouth OF the Yalu river.
proved that they know as much of naval
strategy as the best Of us. and that their
sailors will fight with a courage sur
passed by few if any. The war indem-
nifty they are to receive from China
win build them ships enough. when ad-
ded TO those they had before, and tooK
from the Chinese TO make a naval es-
tablishment equal 10 coping with any
squadron which England and France
you'd probably concentrate I'm Eastern
waters. When we think of what existed
ilfty years back. and think also of the
state OF things now, we are astounded
at the possibility Of any such thing. but
We cannot. therefore. shut our eyes TO
the fact that 1t is possible. But although
1t is quite possible japan may become
tho formidable power both on sea ana
land. which the extract we have quoted
from tho Oficial Journal. indicates that
her rulers hope to make her. 1t is very
unfortunate for japan and for all the
East that her aspirations have taken that
turn. In making peace with China, she
manifested SO conservative a spirit in the
line OF breaking down Chinese preJu-
dices against Intercourse with the rest
OF mankind. that the world came 10 ale
conclusion her rulers were actuated by o
broad and catholic spirit OF free inter-
course amongst all peoples foreboding
great good to all mankind. In forcing
China to open many parts OF her vast
enquire 10 commerce she secured the