Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-01
VIEWS OF THE JAPANESE PRESS.
Indignant Comment ON the Course
Pursued by Germany.

Pursued by Germany.
The Jill Shimpo, the most influential
paper In Japan, contains a scathing ar
raignment of Germany's recent course. de-
claring that the occupation of Kiao Chau
shows that the laws and tenets of internal
tional morality have ceased to be anything
mere than specious preterse by European
powers, and that the rule by which their
conduct is really regulated is 1.-THE lesh OF
the weak is the food of the strong" After
declaring that Germany has thrown OF tho
mask, and has taken the lead of western
powers in a greedy struggle to derour
China, the paper adds as TO the attitude of
Japan:
The conflagration is on the other side OF
the river, but the river is narrow. and the
sparks may easily fly across. The lesson
for Japan is that a country's security de-
ponds solely upon its strength to resist ag-
gression, and that aggression has come al
most to her own gates. 1t will not suffice
that she should he merely on the defensive.
To preserve what one has already IL is
sometimes necessary to add more. A crisis
in the orient now confronts Japan, and her
undivided strength must pe devoted 10
guarding against the perils that menace
her."
TIE Nichi Nichi Shimbun takes a similar
view declaring that it is part of the plan
Of encroachment OF European nations upon
the east Ii adds: Japan, that has the
greatest interest at stake in these things,
and the Japanese foreign office, should
lose no time in obtaining from Germany n
clear expose of her purposes"
The Kokumin Shimbun says that Ger
many's action is a sequel to the three pow
ers' Russia, Germany and Franco inter-
ference with Japans holding Port Arthur
after having taken that fortress. and that
as these powers are again in COLLISION, ia
pan must diligently prepare herself for
emergency.
s-;. fav
resolute foreign policy by Japan, and AYERS
that nothing tends to impair amity more
tfan tame submission to insult and wrong.
The course of Germany is arraiSned as
fragrant violation of international law.
The Chuo Shimbun declares that the time
for-tke partition Of the Chinese empire has
arrived. and adds: What shall Japan dol
Shall she join in the scramble for pieces OF
the doomed state. or shall she oppose its
partition? In such a crisis-the Hike OF
which has not occurred since the restora-
tion-the portfolio OF foreign affairs Is In
the hands of a man in whom the nation
has no confidence"
The Toxic Shimpo takes the radical posi-
ton that II is Japan's duty to succor China
at this 5uncture on the ground that tha
boasted civilization and Christianity OF the
western world Is slowly trampling down
right and justice In Its descent upon the
orient
Aside from the excited discussion of the
problem in China, the japanese press is
mainly concerned in the country's extern
siye naval and military development The
expenditures on armament expansion
this year viii be SOFAS. 72l yen. and next
year 63,2s0,000 yen.
Brilliant field maneayers have been cx-
ecuted by the two army corps Of the north
and south, in the presence of many foreign
diplomats and military experts. Tho bat
tie ship Yashira has Just arrived from the
English ship yards. She Is the second Of
the big battle ships added to Japan's new
lazy, the first being the Fugi. They are
sister ships, of 12,517 tons displacement
EACH of twenty knots speed. and in arma-
ment and general appearance much like
the United States battle ship Indiana. The
Yaehima Is. the lergest war ship that ever
passed the Suez canal. and II was founa
necessary to unship the heavy guns anu
take on some Of the outer ermor to get hse
through the canal