New-York tribune., 1902-03-22
EAST ASIAN DIPLOMACY.


The East sustains its reputation. 1t is still
the region of the world in which great empires
meet, in which great games of international
politics are played, and in which diplomacy at
tains its deepest subdety The end of the nine
teenth century and the beginning of the twen-
teth have seen startling and momentous occur
rences there, in swift and irresistible succession
The establishment of n free. popular constitu
ton in Japan. the wrestling of COrea from
China and the defeat of China by Japan,
the seizure of various points of vantage on
the Chinese coast by European powers, the
defeat Of Chinese partition and the eStab-
lishment of the principle of the open door by
the United States, the Boxer DRAMA the re-
affirmation of the open door policy by the
United States and the epoch marking Anglo
Japanese treaty of alliance have crowded the
recent history of Eastern Asia with mighty
themes. and have powerfully affected the whole
trend of human affairs.
Upon some of the latest and most important
of these dOings a vivid side light is thrown from
within the realm of intimate knowledge in the
letter from a Toxic correspondent which we pub
lish elsewhere in to-day's Tribune. The especial
themes are the "Manchuran Agreement"
which Russia endeavored to impose upon China,
and the Anglo-Japanese treaty, which came as
cable has hitherto given us some account of the
connection between the RussoChinese Bank
and the Russian scheme to mOnopOlize Manchu-
ria Our correspondent adds some particularly
plquant details, not the least interesting of
which is the Russian Minister'S complaint that
some people who lived in glass houses were en-
gagged in throwing stones Perhaps; though we
confess we cannot see any vast eXpanse of the
brittle material. There certainly is a dstinc-
ton with difference between a concession for
a railway or for a mine or group of mines
and one for a monopoly of ything-industry,
commerce, travel and what not-in n whole
province In any event, the United States is
not lodged beneath glass. 1t has not asked for
any exclusive concessions. 1t is entitled with
out reproach, therefore, to demand that every
door in China that is open to any nation shall
be open to it.
OF exceptional interest too. Is our Corre
spondents portrayal of the public enthusiasm
and the private and judicious satisfaction with
which Japan received the news of the British
alliance. We have already called attention to
the fact that this treaty has far more than po-
litical significance It's chronological significance
cannot be Overestimated. We are not sure that
ever before in the history of the world was
there so impressive a striking down of racial
barriers. 1t is the most marked approachment
ever effected between the Caucasian and the
Mongoan races, the most direct recognition Of
the equality of the yellow race ever made by the
white race. That consideration is evidently up
permost in theJapanese mind, as our correspond
ent's quoted conversation with Marquis Itoplaln-
ly shows. Indeed, il is the consideration which
should be foremost in all minds. For If the
treaty has not been made on the basis OF such
a recognition, it is not worth the paper IL IS
written upon. 1t would be deplorable for a
civilized nation to make an alliance with one
that it regarded as its racial Inferior just for
the sake of using the latter as savages might
be employed in war. The only justification OF
the treaty is that it is a recognition OF Japan'S
worthinesS to enter the community of civilized
powers as peer. That it is thus meant hap
PLY, there is no room for doubt
In these great developments in Asia the
United States has played and is playing not
able part. 1t may be said TO have begun the
whole movement by its opening Of Japan
Since that auspiciOuS date this country has sus-
tanned peculiarly close relations TO that ambi-
uOus and puissant island empire and has en-
joyed vast increase Of commercial interests
in all that part OF the world Subsequent
achievements by this country in Japan in China
and in COrea have been worthy Of that fine be-
ginning Of policy, and to-day there Is no nation
in the world that enjoys a more advantageou
or more honorable position there than the
United States. The maintenance of that posi-
ton is the true policy of this country and in
feet accord with the two great and enlightened
powers which have for so long been its friends
and comrades in that quarter of the world