The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-30
Japan KnoVs That the Sword Must De-
eide Between Her and Russia.
7HEPLAIS OF The POWERS REVEALED
~ b Premature Action OF Germany in
SEEDING Kiso Chao--Russia Limiting
Jspan's Ambition--work for the
Diet--Other Matters.

Japanese Cf6EVctcf. 4 was tdihins Quitc
recently with n japanese official Of the
state Department. and asked hts opinion
a. TO the chance OF war.
Il think" he said. 'that everything Is
now srsoothed over
but will Japan submit to Russia's
supremacy In Korean
Japan will see that Korea's independ-
once Is maintained"
"what will Japan do II the French
should want Formosa?"
THE French seeni to want Hainan.
there has been no question Of Formosa.'
But insisted. suppose that after all
they do want ~Formopsa?"
The hypothesis was too much. AS n rule
the Japanese features are absolutely
without expression. but a flash OF
the eye and a look OF determination APP
peared. as he replied:
"Formosa is Japanese territory and no
nation on earth shall take II from us"
Is there any possibility OF the attempt
being made? Those who havc followed the
events in the Far East ever since Russia
has secured peace on her western from
tier. cannot doubt that Japan will be
hazassed until 'forbearancc not a promi-
nent quality In japanese national life, Is
exhausted. The action of Germany IN
selling Kyao Chao. was premature. II
revealed the plans Of the powers. But.
after all. Germany aided or abetted Rus
sia In limiting Japan's ambition. Russia
was literally rewarded by China. or rath-
er. helped herself TO such reward as In
her opinion the service called for. France
did not come to China's rescue from
purely philanthropic motives. but Ger
many was left out In the cold. The En-
peror may rave been OF the opinion that
a simple thank you" would again be
the reward for his assistance in the COM
ing struggle. and has taken time by the
forelock by exacting payment i'm advance.
However this may be. Russia. France.
Germany, and Great Britain are hurry
ing their fleets to these waters. and Japan
Is buying war vessels going somewhat
beyond her means. If England's attitude
were strictly defined. II would Re possible
TO make a good guess as to when the ball
will open; but Great Britian's position Is
an unknown quantity. The japanese are
IN hopes OF forming an Observation-Disclosures
alliance. and the Japanese press. which
only three years ago could not find any
epithets vile enough to express its con
tempt. has now completely turned round
and INDUCES IN equally futile nattery
Japan knows that the sword must decide
between her and Russia. but she would
like to walt until she has her fleet COM
plete. But by hat time the Trans-Sibe-
rian railroad will be finished. and this will
Offset fully her advantage on he ocean.
No, / look for a sudden attack. and shall
not be surprised II a cable flashes around
the world stating hat "A shot has set
fire 20 tho powder magazine.
WORK FOR THE DIET.
The approaching meeting Of the Diet
Is occupying the attention Of the polite
ians and OF the public press in so far as
the last touches must be given TO the
preliminary measures necessary TO render
the new treaty operative. These treaties
provide that the Codes must have been
in operation for one year, and notice
given to the powers. before the abolition
Of extra-territdriality can go into effect
The codes. however. are not finished,
and as they must pass the Diet before
They're come n law. IT must be accom-
plished at this session or there may be ?
postponemcnt. The government would not
mind. but the jingoes would be furious
The British Blue Book for 1894 proves
that the Ito Cabinet was not anxious Toy
the abolition of the eXtra-terrltoria'
clause. Japan Is not ripe to nave j%urisdic-
ton over foreigners. This fast Is brought
home TO us every day. What was the
punishment 10 the murde-ers Of our two
~saiiors? A paltry fine. Well. the United
States. in the opinion of Japan and ever
OF poor. old. decrepit China. is n quantiif
nsgligeable. Our Monroe doctrine Is un
derstood 10 mean that We cannot inter
fere in the Far East. and that our mis-
sionarlcs. scamen, and peaceable mer
chants can be il-treated and even muir
dered with impunity. The United states
Minister addresses a diplomatic remon
stranoo; II is answered In the same dir
Iomarlc manner and In the course Of TIM
IL duly forgotten. The men who. trustin
TO tho Stars and Stripes. went out there
mouIder in heir lOody graves while
President and Congress are considerinr
the far more important question as &
who shall receive the political Dlums
the diplomotic and consular places ir
China and ,Jaran.
" our citizens In the far East-but they
are only reputable merchants. and do not
dabble in politics-would write a fair ac-
count OF what the Chinese and japanese
think Of us. and II the newspapers dared
print that estimate. Il would go hard with
the politicians at home who are respon-
sfble for II.
How long will the Diet be in session?
From present appearances 7 should think
1ust long enough TO be told; Get out Of
here, In other words. there will be an
WI ~ NNh
events occur. The opposition. that Is the
whole Diet. except the members who mold
government positions. has publicly ex-
pressed the intention OF addressing the
throne, or 10 pass a resolution of want
Of confidence In the Cabinet The minis
tiers are perfectly aware of TIE fact. and
che wonder TO me is that the Cabinet
has shown so much vitality. Woe TO the
minister or Cabinet who should neglec'
to keep up army and navy. Hara-kiri
would be a very slight punishment II. If
case Of war. iefeat instead of victory
should result. But where is the money
TO como from? Japan's finances are in p
Rad condition. and the deficit is growing
To add to these perplexities. there Is thu
war spirit. the Yamato Damashii witf
which the ministers secretly sympathize.
hut which Is found highly inconvenient a.
this time. ! dare say that there Is no.
a member OF the Cabinet. who would not
gladly resign. and give somebody else o
chance at the thankless task.
PECULIAR POLITICS.
There are some peculiarities In Japa-
nose politics which strike MS as being
rather odd. The Nippon tells the follow
ing story. which. impossible as II reads
NAV contain a good deal Of truth. Some
-self-appointed advisers. Baron Iwasaki.
the great fnancier. Oichi Masumi. and
several other busy bodies. proceeded to
the residence OF Count Matsukata. the
Premier. and told him that popular opin
ION being now irrevocabN unfavorable 20
him. and the attitude OF foreign Powers
towards tho far East being such as 70
cause much uneasiness. nothing could be