The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-22
The japanese Press on England.

lne Fress Oh AluBiohos
1t IL patent that most of the European
powers do not regard with sympathy Eng
lands attempt to subjugate the Boer repub.
lies. That Italy, q single exception,
exhibits some good will may be easily
explained. for, should the p~reponderance
now possessed by England in the Mediter-
ranean be lost, 1t would pass straightway
to France. Nor Is Italy's good will OF much
value, because she Is trammelled by the
Triple Alliance, and, against the wishes OF
her partners, could not express her amity
by deeds. In the American press, England
has few s~ympathizers, and 1t is ~undeniable
that the prevailing current OF American
public opinion is pro-Boer. Isolated as
England IL, however, SO fal as the Western
world is concerned, she has q stanch
friend in the Far East. a friend whose mill
tary and naval power is concentrated in the
very quarter where British commercial
interests may. at any hour. need help. We
refer, OF course, to Japan, and 1t is q strlk-
ing contrast that is offered by the utter
ances Of japanese newspapers to those OF
the French, Russian and German press.
Conclusive proofs Of the widespread and
fcgvent sympathy with which the Mikado's
subjects follow the British operations in
South Africa we're forwarded not long ago
by the Toxic correspondent Of the London
Times. The articles from which his cita-
tions We're made were all printed after the
reverses encountered by Ger, BUTLER, Gen.
METHUES and Gen. GATACRE We're known
in Japan. The first extract Is from the
Nichi Nichi Shimbup, which holds the high
est position among Japanese newspapers.
That journal tells its readers that II would
not become them to echo the satisfaction
expressed by European newspapers at the
news Of the British defeats, but that. on
the contrary, they ought to regret q
friendly States misfortunes, It goes on
to say that the strong points OF the English
character are endurance and resolution,
and that IL was not to be supposed for a
moment that the English, who had just had
q gratifying experience In northern Africa,
would be betrayed by temporary disasters
in the south into suffering tamely a heavy
blow to their national prestige and great
ness. Finally, the Nichi Nichf Shimbun
predicted that the war in South Africa
would not enter its decisive phase until
after January, and that the persistency OF
the English would carry them TO victory at
last, and It added that without pausing
10 consider the rights or wrongs OF
either belligerent, we only pray that our
friend, England, may overcome those
that stand opposed to her, and may
quickly restore peace"
According to the Times correspondent,
the FVi Shimpo, which Yields the
widest popular influence in Japan. is
scarcely less emphatic In its expression
II desire that victory may Don rest
with the British arms, but 1t POUNDS
the wish not SO much on sentiments OF
friendship as or the economical injury thct
the world would suffer from q long war in
which England should be engaged. 1--WE
most earnestly hope" said the FW Shimpo
in conclusion, that Lord ROBERTS, having
now been appointed to the command, and
the resolution to send additional troops
having been adopted, such a course will be
followed by England as will bring the
war to q speedy and satisfactory issue"
Still another organ Of Japanese opinion.
the Kokumin Shimbun, which, at first, sug-
gcsted that the contest might have been
determined from the outset to appeal to
the sword, has since been at pains to dis
avow all intention OF writing In q strain
unfriendly to England. II ridicules the
notion that Great BritGin's temporary mis-
haps should be taken as evidences OF
the character OF the English to pursue their
purpose unfllnch!ngly to the end. England
may give another proof OF the TACT
by disposing Of this South African ques.
ton in such a way as to strengthen her
power and prestige"
Another newspaper OF high rank In the
Japanese press, tho Hochi Shimbin, re-
fuses TO draw hasty conclusions as TO
the military weakness Of England from
the reverses encountered on the Tugela
and Moddcr rivers, and directs atten-
ton to the difficulties with which
the English had TO contend, TO wit:
the great distance OF the seat Of war, the
arduous nature Of the country. the enemy's
knowledge Of the ground, the English
ignorance thereof, and the advantages OF
positions which the Beers gained by being
the first in the field. At tho same time, tho
Hochi !Shtmbun has no doubt about the ulti-
mate success OF the British troops; What
makes the character OF the English 50 trust
worthy is its fortitude. One or two defeats
do not discourage them, Each reverse has
the effect of doubling their resolution.
Their history for the past thousand
years shows them always keeping a stiff
back under all circumstances, and always
winning at the end" 1t adds that "the
fght in South Africa Is only just begin
ming. The real capacity and temper Of the
English will be now made known. Our
predictions Of the initial difficulties have
GONE true. We invite our readers to
observe whether our present forecast is not