The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-14
AMBITIOUS YOUNG JAPAN
1T WILL CONTEST WITH RUSSIA FOR
INFLUENCE IN CHINA.
Oriental Jealousy OF Western Power
Good Impression Made by Mis-
sionarfes-Chinese Wedding.

general opinion that a conflict between
Russia and Japan is brewing, and it is be-
ieved that when spring opens and the
new Japanese navy is in readiness active
hostilities will begin. There is no doubt
but that Japan is getting ready for some
sort Of demonstration, inspired by enor-
nous national conceit which the war with
China has developed on one hand and her
growing aversion to western influence and
her jealousy Of western power on the
other. The new treaty. which went into
effect last August, so far as foreign bust
ness carried on within the empire is con-
cerned, is practically prohibitive. For
eigners who have been engaged in bust
ness in Yokohama, Kobe and elsewhere are
closing out and leaving as fast as they
are able to wind up their affairs, and this
will continue until few or none are left.
The taxes levied, of which foreigners pay
the bulk, are enormous, and, in addition
to this, police supervision, under the new
laws, permits the most outrageous inter-
ference in purely personal matters; for in
stance, If there is a case of ordinary ILL
ness in a foreign family the word Of the
attending physician Is not sufficient, and
the japanese health officers may enter the
sick room, investigate for themselves with
a minuteness that can be regarded as moth
ing less than gross violation of domestic,
privacy. They are also, it appears, en-
powered to decide as to what does or does
not constitute decency, and their discrim-
nations are hard to understand. A few
weeks ago an English lady, with her little
daughter, was riding through the streets of
one of the large cities in their jinrika shas,
the little girl wearing a short-sleeved
frock. They were stopped by the police.
on the ground that the childs dress was
immodest: and this in face of the fact
that down the street coolies wearing little
more than sandals and a loin cloth were
coming and going unmolested. The foreign
residents took the matter up and entered
such a protest that the policeman was
punished and discharged. A steamship
sailing from San Francisco had death on
board among the plantation coolies return
ing from Hawaii upon the expiration of
their contracts. The man died of bron-
chitis, and it was so recorded, but not sat-
isfied with the attested statement of the
ships doctor. before passenger could
land at Yokohama, every one of the five
hundred coolies were drawn up in line
while their eyes and tongues and pulse
were examined by the dapper little Japa-
rese health officers. They came on hoard
arrayed in spotless duck and gold lace,
their little swords jingling, tremendously
conscious of the dignity Of their Office.
The inspection consumed something like
seven hours, during which the captain of
the ship. with heavy cargo to discharge.
fretted and fumed without avail. The
American and European passengers. who
were all in excellent health, were spared
the examination. but many lengthy in
quiries were made as to their condition,
individually and collectively.
NOT REALLY FIRST-CLASS.
1t was case of a new broom sweeping
tediously clean-the over-zeal of a people,
inexperienced as children. playing at being
a frst-class power. Their recognition as
such, on the part Of England and the
United States, is now conceded to have
been great mistake-premature by mat
ter Of at least fifty years-a mistake which
we may refuse to admit, which is fully
realized by those who are best informed.
The increased tax, Of course, has been
levied primarily to pay the cost Of the in
creased army and navy, and In the second
place to drive out foreigners who are not
really wanted In Japan, whatever may be
said OF the superficial friendliness and
courtesy of the Japanese, as people. Their
shortsightedness in the matter Of burden
some taxation is peculiarly Oriental-the
same trait ore meets, strongly mingled
with amazing shrewdness, everywhere
amongst the Chinese. With this effort to
eliminate foreign influence, it is also GER
tain that Japan is drawing closer and
closer to China. The defeat of the latter at
the hands Of the japanese has left behind
it, apparently, none of the almost ineradi-
cable hatred that exists between two con-
tending powers, at the close of a war-a
feud that Is not healed usually for genera
tons. While the Chinese have fought val
iantly, as in the TAPPING rebellion, under
leaders like Gordon, they are pre-eminent-
ly a peaceful people. interested in filling
the soil-labor dignifed by the annual ex-
ample of the emperor, concentrating by
a solemn ceremonial the advent Of the new
planting season. There are thousands Of
Chinese who have gone on sowing and
reaping, watching the increase of their
fiocks and herds, who do not even know
where in Japan one sees Cinnamon filling
responsible places, where they are much
preferred to the Japanese as tellers in
banks, accountants in public and private
offices; compradors in hotels receiving and
paying out large sums Of money. There is
no hostility toward these Chinese inter-
lopers; they are accepted with the utmost
friendliness and they thrive and flourish
under the tolerant patronage of their con-
querors.
There is a perfect understanding between
the Dowager Empress of China, the shrewd
and willy viceroy, Ii Hung Chang. and the
Marquis Ito, who represents the Emperor
of Japan. 1t is believed that they are in
constant communication. and that coun-
ellis have been held frequently to the end
Of promoting a still closer understanding.
1t is known that the Marquis Ito has
warned the dowager Empress of the dan
ger threatening the empire by the Rus
slams, who are gradully closing in upon
Picking from the north, the Germans from
the south and the British in middle China
We, up to the time of our occupation of the
Philippines, were regarded with less sus-
picion; we had shown no disposition or
desire to acquire foreign territory. and. in