The herald., 1895-05-05

A QUESTION IMPORTANT AND DELICATE
1t is reported that China has ratified
the treaty with Japan, which had been
ratified by the latter nation. The protest
of the European triumvirate seems not to
have deferred the Chinese emperor. The
diplomatic fight was not with him but
with the mikado. The question now is,
will Russia, France and Germany seek to
procure modification of the treaty? Di-
Dramatically they undoubtedly will, but
will they go to war to effec, it?
The treaty seems not to take anything
from any one of the three European pow
ers. Japan has acquired some territory
on the continent, and there is no law for
bidding it. A nation occupying islands
in the sea- it would seem, has as
good right to acquire conti-
mental possessions as any other power.
continental powers, there seems to be no
principle which gives them right to
dictate as to who shall possess the m ain
land outside their dominions. Each of
them acquires what it can in Europe,
Asia ana Africa. and resents interference
of any other powers. Interference by
force with the treaty already made would
be blow to national independence and
autonomy. If submitted to, it will be-
come a dangerous precedent, one that
will Justify overthrowing nationalities at
the command OF every formidable comb-
nation. If the present treaty must be set
aside because the three powers demand
4, then any treaty with China or Japan is
liable to be objected to by outside powers
lntermeddling has become European
practice, and unless a stand is taken
against it there is danger that it will be-
come prevalent practice throughout the
world. The object seems to be to cripple
Japan, which is a growing power in Asia.
power gaining rapidly in civilization.
intelligence, enterprise, industrial and
commercial development. Progress on
these lines has brought her into promi
nence as military and naval power. Com
mercially she has already come to the
front, and unless checked she will absorb
European nations. The scheme of the
European triumvirate will tend to arrest
! Japans commercial growth, and to pre-
vent this is probably the reason why OBJ
! lection is made to the treaty.
| There is nothing barbarous in the
treaty; it does not exact from China any
thing not recognized in multiplicity of
precedents as legitimate and proper. ALI
nations are interested in the question at
Issue. Great Britain is greatly interested
in many ways, but is embarrassed on ac-
frequently resorted to in regard to other
countries. She cannot very consistently
take ground in opposition to the attitude
of her European neighbors; but consist
ency has never been known to stand in
the way when her commercial interests
were involved. We have no entangling
alliances, and have never done that
|
which would embarrass should the gov
ernment interfere to protect the inde-
| pendence and autonomy of China and
Japan. So long as the question remains
in the domain of diplomacy it is not nee
essary or wise to take any step. but
should the controversy proceed to war it
would seem to be duty we owe to a
principle to assume a firm attitude. and,
ing the right of nations to make
their own treaties, so long and so far as
they do not jeopardise the rights and
legitimate interests of others.
Hitherto we have been busy with cur
own deve opment and growth. We have
become so strong and our interests are
so interviewer with those of the world
that we can hardly refrain from having a
voice in the affairs of the world. We
must, when necessary to proper respect
to our views, do more than talk. We are
the most prominent exponent of the
doctrine of national independence and
autonomy, and to maintain it may re-
quire the exercise of the ult mate powers
OF nation. Interpositlon on our part
in European affairs might have no in
fuence, but it is as legitimate for this
country to have voice in those of Asia
as for any other nation. China and
Japan lie on the other side of the Pacific
and this country is interested in their
welfare and progress. Our own interests
are involved. for if European nations are
permitted to dictate as to treaties, they
may carry their meddlesomeness to tn e
extent of interfering with our treaties
with Asatic nations. 1t is for
the best interests of humanity that ma
tions shall not be restrained in their
conduct so long as no injustice is perpe-
trated upon others. The progress of
Japan has been phenomenal because she
has enjoyed freedom i'll prom oting her
own welfare without trenching upon the
rights of others. The European trium-
virate does not aim blow at China, but
at Japan. To cripple her is to arrest the
| nrorroSs of civilization in tho eiot;o