Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1898-02-26
NUMBER 33.
FUTURE OF JAPAN.
Her Market Is Asia and the Pacific
Islands.

~ OHE Of JAPAN.
Her Market Is Asia and the Pacific
Islands.
Though her history is traced to very
old times, Japan is quite young cGun-
try, so far as the experience OF foreign
Intercourse and the development OF
material resources are concerned. Our
forefathers. self-satistied and confined
within the boundaries OF the islands.
had not the key to open the store ana
to take out tue treasure bOunlifully be
slowed by heaven The needed key
was given us with the advent OF for
sign Intercourse. 70 show the resource
fulness Of the country, it is not neces-
eary to enumerate various branches OF
industry promoted in it. 1t sutt1ees 10
notice that. extending for nearly thirty
degrees of latitude from the north To
the south. facing 10 the Pacific Ocean
on one side and to the continent of Asia
on the other, and being longitudinally
divided into two halves by ridge or
mountains. Japan is favored with Il
remarkable variety OF climates ana
other physical conditions. and that the
people have only begun 10 take advan-
tage Of those conditions by the use or
scientific appliances. Though the new
regime was established thirty wears
ago, the first decaue Of the present era
was still Il time of commotion. 1t IS.
therefore. only a score OF years since
our people really betook themselves TO
i, fty,f n.i
to developing the resources of the couIl-
try.
Japan has not only rich resources in
the interior, but she has a wide field
for her activity outside the country
The lands surrounding the Pacific
Ocean and the countries of Asia con-
Stitule the best market for the future
commerce of the world. There IS room
enough in this market for Japan tn
have share without causing n friction
| with other nations. geographically.
Japan is in q very favorable situation.
and the nature of her people IS differ
ent from that of western countries. So
that wha, the nations Of Europe can
not profitahlY undertake. IN these parts
of the globe will naturally de1olve mp
Oh our coun1rymrn. Already the i'll
| crease of our trade With countries OF
Asia and Australia has been remark
| able
1t is not Our desire 10 increase the
territories. ln Il country without free
outlets to the sea. territorial extension
may be an absolute necessity for the
growth Of the nation: hut that is not
the case in Il country surrounded by
the sea on all sides. For the Japanese
the ocean is he field Of activity. This
field is. as :: matter of course. to be
utilized in common by all The nations
of the world. only We hope to take ad-
| vantage of our geographical position.
| TO be a factor in the development Of
The Pacific ana the Eastern Asia seems
TO be the destiny OF our nation. AS the
future OF these regions is full OF hopes,
so the future of the Japanese is prom
Using. Why, then. should we be so pes
| >imiS,ic as TO entertain anxieties about
the present situation. even if there lie
temporary difficulties in our way:
But we must be always on the alers
and make efforts With more energy
! than ever to continue and accelerate
the progress we have begun. Al! oar
undertakings and enterprises should
be made with The eye to tile future. MI
| not according to the mere convenience
| OF the present. Special attention should
| be paid TO the improvements OF intellect
| and moral character OF our people. for,
after all. Il nations permanent prospect
ivy can be based on no other founda
ton. 1t is particularly desirable TO
adapt our moral standard 10 the new
conditions arising out OF the develop
ment Of foreign trade. Last of all, ev
cry means should be employed to Sc
cure the peace of the world in general,
! aud Of the far east n particular. Peace,
above all things. is a necessary cOndi-
ton for progress. Even fhe war with
| China introduced into our finance Ger
tain abnormal states which have made
men of pessimistic disposition quite uii-
| easy If we take measures TO improve
! our means Of national defense, it is in
order that we may feel absolutely sure
against all possible dangers and that
we may pursue entirely undisturbed
our course of peaceful pro"res>.--Couni
Okl1na. in the Far East.