The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-31
THE TIME HAS COME.
Japan Believes China is to Be Divided
and is Determined to Have
Her Share.

Washington, Dec. 31-A high state of
public feeling in Japan over the compli-
cations of the far east, centering in China.
is shown by the last press advices receiv-
ed here from Japan The japanese prime
minister said in the course of a reply to
a delegation:
with affairs tending to dangerous de-
velopments, as is now the case in the east
we shall not hesitate to ask the diet for 30
millions, or even 40 millions if necessary
The il il Shimpo, the most influential
paper in Japan, contains a scathing ar
raignment of Germany's course. decIar-
ing that the occupation of Kiao Chou
shows that the laws and tenets of inter
national morality have ceased to be any
thing more than specious pretense by Eu-
rOpean powers and that the rule by which
their conduct is really regulated is the
flesh of the weak is the food of the
strong" After declaring that Germany
has thrown off the mask, and has taken
the lead Of western powers in greedy
struggle to devour China, the paper adds
as to the attitude of Japan:
The conhagration IS on the other side
of the river, but the river is a narrow One
and the sparks may easily fly across. The
lesson for Japan is that a cOuntry's Sc
curity depends solely upon its strength to
resist aggression, and that aggression has
come almost to her own gates. 1t will
not suffice that she should be merely on
the defensive. To preserve what one has
already, it is sometimes necessary to ado
more A crisis in the Orient now con-
fronts Japan, and her undivided strength
must be devoted to guarding against the
perils that menace her"
The Nichi Nichi Shimbun takes a similar
view declaring that it is part of the plan
of encroachment OF European nations up
on the east.
The Kokumin Shimbun says that Ger
many's action is a sequel to the three
powers CRussia, Germany and France)
with Japans holding Port
Arthur after having taken the fortress.
and that, as these powers are again in
collusOn, Japan must diligently prepare
herself for emergency.
The Nippon says that the crisis calls
for a resolute foreign policy by Japan and
AYERS that nothing tends to impair amitN
more than tame submission to insult and
wrong. The course of Germany is ar (
raigned as a fragrant violation of interna- j
tional law.
The ChOur Chimbun declares that the |
time for the partition of the Chinese em~ /
pire has arrived, and adds: what shah
Japan do? Shall she join in the scramble (
for pieces of the doomed state, or shall :
she oppose its partition? In such a crisis /
the like of which has not occurred since i
the restoration-the portfolio of foreign .
affairs is in the hands of d man in whom /
the nation has no confidence"
The Toxic Shimpo takes the radical po- |
sition that it is Japan's duty to succor /
China at this junct1re. on the ground that /
the boasted civilization and Christianity /
If the western world is slowly tramplins /
lown right and justice in its descent upon
he Orient.
Aside from the excited discussion Of
he problem in China. the Japanese press
s mainly concerned in the country's eN~
.ensive naval and military developments /
rba e1Dendftures on armament eXpan>
SION this year will be SO,645,7H yen anG
next year So 250,0O0 yen "a yen is 70
,ents in American money!