The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-20

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would reach the imperial treasury, and they
would be amply adequate to the mainte-
nance OF an army and navy which, under
Japanese officers would prove efficient.
Tho Japanese understand the Chinese char
acter botter than any Europeans can be ex-
pected to do, and they would know how to
make the best Of the raw material which,
under GORDON against the Taepings and,
later against the French in Tonquin. was
shown to be adaptable to warfare. 1t Is, In
word, unquestionable that the Japanese
could have done more for China than has
ever been effected by any Of its dynasties
In tho past, and, in the early months OF
1895, 1t looked as IL they might have the
opportunity.
When, on April rs, 1898. the Russian,
French and German governments protest
ed against the acquisition Of any Chinese
territory on the mainland OF Asia by Japan,
and when the Mikado. falling to secure
any support from England. was forced
TO yield to the pressure exerted by the
three powers first named, China's chance
OF regeneration through Japan's help seems
to have passed away. Compelled to sur
render the Lao Tung peninsula, and, prac-
tically. prohibited by Russia from retain
Ing any hold on Corea, the Japanese had to
renounce their dream OF preponderanco in
Eastern Asia and to content themselves
with such insular acquisitions as For
mosa and the Pescadores. 1t is absurd
to suppose that Russia. which would not
suffer the Mikado to keep an inch Of ground
In Manchuria, would permit him to acquire
n Iap ot ha
prevent it. The st. Petersburg Government
was willing in 1895 to fight sooner than to
permit the execution of the Shimonoseki
Treaty, and it Is now far better qualified for
war on the coast Of the Pacific than it was
four years ago.
1t is as certain now as it was then to
be backed by Germany and France in
resistance to reorganization OF China
by Japanese officials for this would put
an end to further entertainments by the
powers named, and would even seriously
endanger what they have already secured.
Would England now support Japan in
resolute attempt to regenerate tho Chinese
Empire2 The fate of Eastern Asia would
hinge on the answer to this question.
1t is probable that, at present, while the
Trans-Siberian railway is still unfinished,
Great Britain. by virtue Of her prepon-
derance in the China seas, could coerce
Russia, France and Germany into refrain
ing from any interference with an alliance
between Japan and the Middle Kingdom.
1t would behoove the British Foreign
Ofice, however, to foresee the almost inevi-
table consequences OF such an alliance. N
Japanese officials were once placed in con-
troll OF China'S fiscal system and OF her army
and navy, the vast superiority OF their adj
ministrative methods would prove irresis-
tably attractive to the mass OF the popula-
tion, and the supersession OF the Manchu
dynasty by the Mikado would be only
question of time.
Does Great Britain wish to witness the
emergence in Eastern Asia OF New Japan
possessing ten times the resources and the
population Of the oldp Lord CHARLES
BEREsFoRD, In his somewhat indiscrimi-
nate distrust Of Russia, would answer the
question in the affirmative. very differ
ent view ofthe matter is taken by the Lon
don Spectator, which is the organ of the
Unionist Liberals. That journal acknowl-
edges that China has the fullest right to
ally herself with Japan and to make Of the al
lance new source Of strength; but
that the transaction would tend to the
advantage Of Great Britain it utterly
denies.
The Spectator intains, on the contrary,
that such an alliance carried to its logical
result, would place immense masses OF tho
material Of power in the hands OF Mon
golians, that Is to say Of race which has
not accepted Christianity, which is of a
pitiless character, and which is dominated
by vanity having all the effects Of ambi-
tion and few OF it's restraints. Would the
Chinese. led by the Japanese, 1t asks be
pleasant neighbors to Bengal, which they
could reach through Thibet far more easily
than Russia can reach the Indus?
1t Is true that the Russians are inclined
to restrict trade, but what kind Of restric-
lions would China, under Japanese control
enforce, once relieved Of the fear OF COM
pulsion by European soldiers? Is 1t not
probable that Japan, which has already
shown itself able to compete in the market
OF the far East with European manufac-
tuners as regards many commodities, would
desire to retain the Chinese market for
herself? II the choice lay between Russian
and Japanese ascendency at Pekin, tho
Spectator for its part. cannot conceive
how England, and Europe in general, should
fail to prefer the former alternative.