The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-27
DEVELOPMENT OF JAPAN.

The magnanimity which Japan has
recently shown in withdrawing her
claims for indemnity against China
rather than allow them block the in
ternational negotiations with that
country is an example of unselhshness
worthy the emulation of other nations
that have taken a hand in the trouble
largely for territorial acquisition The
claim Of the Japanese government was
for $23, 0O0, 900 to be paid in cash, as at
first understood. But developments la
ter showed that the indemnity should
be increased to $27, O00.0 600 in order that
the Japanese might be repaid for the
exchange of the bonds for cash. This
was the signal for some of the other
powers to stop the business of unravel-
ing the tangle, by likewise increasing
their indemnity demands. Realizing
the situation, and perhaps along with
the most of the world firing of the long
rangle in China, Japan withdrew her
counter claim and has allowed the pro-
ceedings to go on as at first determined
upon.
Altogether. the world has had Of re-
cent years an example Of rapid devel-
opment in the growth of the Japanese.
far as its association with the nations
of the world is concerned. Prior to 1854.
for about two and a half centuries. it
was a shut-in. having no communion
tions with the outside world except
through a moderate intercourse with
the Dutch. In that year Commodore
Perry, properly authorized, determined
to open Japan to the commerce of the
world peaceably if he could, forcibly
if he must. He experienced but little
if any trouble in doing SO, and it was q
happy day for Japan as later events
have proven. The national motto soon
became. Japan strong for defense or
aggression An infusion Of fresh vigor
from the Institutions Of other nations
soon resulted American teachers and
professors went over to instruct the
people of the F'lowery Kingdom. Brit
ish naval officers formed naval schools
there And the French army became
the model for the land military of Jap
an.
From then until now there has been
no faltering on the part Of that nation
to make the most Of it's opportunities
While there is of course opportunity for
improvement, Japan is reaching a high
er place among the family of nations
every year. The war with China six
years ago resulted in the cessiOn to
Japan. of Korea and compelled the rec
ognition of the latter as a world power.
In a commercial way the, advancement
of this nation has been as steady as
along other lines. Before the war with
the Chinese the tonnage of japanese
merchant steamers was 100000; by the
close Of the year 1897 it had reached
100000. The government is lending
much assistance to the pursuit of ag-
riculture, one of the principal voca-
lions and the textile fabric industry
continues to grow enormously. The
mileage Of railroads constructed from
year to year is another evidence of ma
tional advancement. While latest of all
is the excellent impression which the
japanese soldiers produced upon other
nations during the Chinese trouble.
The whole matter has redounded ia
vorably to Japan. Who knows that the
present dissensions in what was once
the Chinese empire may result in. the
rejuvenation of another of the shut-in
nations?