The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-01

to dangerous developments. as Is now the
case In the East, we shall not hesitate to
ask the Diet for 100000 or even 40 000, 900
yen, If necessary" This was only q short
time before the premier was forced 10 re-
sign because of the public feeling that the
Cabinet was too weak to deal with the de-
scent of the European powers on China and
the probable dismemberment of the latter
The jill Shimpo, the most influential paper
In Japan, contains Scathing arrangement
of GeTmany's course, declaring the occupa-
ton or kiaOchau shows that the laws and
tenets Of International morality have ceased
to be anything more than specious pretense
by european powers, and that the rule by
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 to the atti-
tpde OF Japan: The confiagration is on
the other side Of the river, but the river is q
narrow one and the sparks may early fly
across The lesson for Japan is that a coun-
try security depends solely on its strength
TO resist aggression and that aggression
mas come almost to her own gates. 1t will
not suIfice that she should be merely on the
defensive. To preserve what one has al
ready 1t is sometimes necessary to add more.
A Crisis In the Orient now confrOnts Japan,
and her undivided strength must be devoted
to guarding against the perils that menace
The Nichi Nichi shimbun takes a similar
view. declaring that it is part of the plan
OF encfoachment of European nations upon
the East 1t adds: Japan, which has the
greatest interest at stake in these things,
and the Japanese Foreign Office should lose
no time in obtaining from Germany clear
expose of her purpose
me Rokumin Shimbun says that Ger
manys action is a sequel to the three pow
ers (Russia, Germany and France) inter-
ference with the Japanese holding Port Ar
thur after having taken that fortress. and
that, as these powers are again i'll collision,
Japan must diligently prepare herself for
the emergency.
The Nippon says the crisis calls for a
hxy oVa6
that nothing tends to impair amity more
than tame submission to insult and wrong.
me course Of Germany is arraigned as a
fragrant violation of International law.
The Chuo Shimbun declares that the time
for the partition of the Chinese Empire has
arrived, and adds: What shall Japan do i?
the doomed state or shall she oppose its
partition? In such a crisis-the like of which
mas not occurred since the reStOration-the
portfolio of foreign affairs is in the hands of
man in whom the Nation has no conf
dence."
The Toxic Shmpo takes the radical posi-
ton that it is Japans duty to succor China
at this juncture on the ground that the
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 countrys extensive
naval and military development. The ex-
pendtures on armament expansion" this
year will be SO, 645721 yen and next year
GO, $50 900 yen. Brilliant field maneuvers have
been executed by the two army corps of the
north and south in the presence of many
foreign dipiomates and military experts. The
battle ship Yashima has just arrived from
the English ship yards She is the second of
the big battle ships added to Japan's new
navy, the first being the Fugi. They are
sister ships of 1857 tons displacement each
Of twenty knots speed, and in armament
and general appearance much like the
United States battle ship Indiana. The va
shima is the largest war ship that ever
passed the Suez canal, and it was found
necessary to unship the heavy guns and
take off some of the outer armor TO get her
through the canal