New-York tribune., 1898-01-01
PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN JAPAN AROUSED
THE COURSE OF GERMANY AND OTHER POWERS
DENOUNCED PY THE PRESS

THE COURSE OF GERMANY AND OTHER POWERS
DENOUNCED BY THE PRESS
Washington, Dec. Sl.-A high state bic feel
Ing in Japan over the complications ar East.
centring in China. is shown by the press ad-
vices received here from Japan That the Gov
ernment itself IS aroused 10 the gravity Of the
question is shown by statement OF the Prime Min
lister made in the course Of reply to delegation.
IIe said: with AFFAIR." tending II dangerous ce-
veopments. as is now the case In the East, we
shall not hesitate to ask the Diet for SSo@0co or
even s40O0O0O0. II necessary" This was only a
short time before the Premier was forced to re-
sign, because Of the public feeling that the CAB
met was too weak to deal with the descent OF
the European Powers on China and the probable
disrnenberment OF the latter country.
The Jill Shimpo" the most influential paper
in Japan, contains a scathing arraignment OF Ger
many's course declaring that the occupation OF
Klao-Chau shows that the laws and tenets OF In
ernational morality have ceased TO be anything
more than a specious pretence by European 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 a greedy struggle to devour
China the paper adds as 10 the attitude OF japan.
The confagration is on the other side Of the river
but the river is narrow, and the sparks may easily
fy across The lesson for Japan Is that a corn-
trys security depends solely its strength to re-
slst aggression, and that aggression has come al
most 10 her own gates. 1t will not suffice tina she
should be merely the defensive To preserve
what one has already IT is sometimes necessary TO
add more. A crisis in the Orient now confTonts
JAPAN and her undivided strength must be de-
voted to guarding against the perils that menace
her"
The "Nichi Nichi Shimbun" takes a similar view.
debating that It is part OF the plan OF encroach-
meat of European nations upon the Eas, IL Auds'
Japan has the greatest interest at steke In thesc
md tba Ia Office ShOQlQ
no time in obtaining from Germany clear expose
OF her purposes
The "Kokumin Shimbun' says th't Germany 5
action is sequel TO the Interference OF the three
Powers PRUSSIA. Germany and France WIN
Japan's holding Port Arthur after having taKel
tha. fortress and that as these Powers are again
IN coluson Japan must diligently prepare hersei
for an emergency.
Tie Nippon" says the crisis calls for resolu'e
foreign policy by Japan, and AYERS that houlihs
ends 10 impair amily more than tame suDmSs'o'
TO insu- and wrong. Tic course Of Germany ~
arralgued a haSrant violation OF interhauohd'
The "Chuo Shimbur" declares that the time for
ano adds: What small japan doI sha!i sne JOIN J
in the scramble for pieces Of the doomed Sale, OF
shsll she oppose It's parli on? IN such crisis
thc like Of which has 1T occnrrea oss sce 'i9 IN
/ TO hands OF a man in aom the nation mas no
The Tcki2 "shmpo' :; the radical position
thai IL is JaPaas dltX . sqecor San1 idd cyza az s
Juncture, on the gro ma hat the boas'eu 80
iion and Christianity O. the Western world are
slowly trampllng down ight and justice In their
/ descent on the Orient. ,
Aside from the excite discussion OF the Chinese
proptn the japanese press is mainly concerned
/ In tle counlrys extensive naval and military de-
] ,.eloprnent. TIE expenditure armament cX-
panson this year VIII be so,6i572l yen, and next
7 yeaf IS $4,000 yer. Brilliant field mdneuyres have
s1s 9St the soaih ~ rescaee man foreign
! Y5s6iIna has Just arrv< from the English ship
vsyde She is the seconl OF the big battle ships
added to Japan's new navy, the first being the Fugi
;rncv are sister ships OF l2.0l7 tons dspa comen.
/ each of twenty knots speed; and in armament and
! sanaraI onncarnnce much like the United States
/ tsfte-ship Indiana. The Yashima Is the largest
| warship that ever passed inc suez canal and It
and take off some Of the outer arnnor to get her
I