Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-11
THE OUTLOOK. IN JAPAN
WONDERFUL ORIENTAL PEOPLE
oCCIDENTALIZED.
Their Preparations for War Are Gen
uine GUARANTEES Of Peace-Ag-
gressions Of Russia.


Clay MacCauey In the Boston Transcript.
The only nation which stands ready to
block the ambitious schemes Of Russia in
the far east is Japan. Had the Japanese
not been aroused to civilization by Com
modore Perry's squadron In 1851 the bear
might now enjoy his Manchurian loot in
comfort and peace. But Japan commands
the situation. VIII it be able to hold that
position? Has 1t not run a too swift race?
Has this nation, after centuries of sleep,
inherently or by the inspiration of the occi-
dent, power of progress and initiative suf-
fcient to carry it indefinitely along? Is not
a reaction coming? Is not reactionist
party actually now in power? Is Japan's
future as a great nation secure? These are
questions pertinent not only to Europe, but
to u.s. whose trade Is more and more In
volved in every turn of the far casts great
political wheel.
Within the past half century the Japan
csc people have gone through practically
the same series of political and social
changes that 1t has taken the peoples Of
Europe five hundred years to traverse.
Fifty years ago feudalism in a highly de-
veloped form held the empire of Japan
now, the empire Is constitutional mon
archy almost as much an actual democracy
as Great Britain.
Future Of Promise.
Politically and socially, belive the Japan
csc have an outlook full Of promise. NO
radical difficulties are In the way. For
fifty years their career has been almost
without variation. forward. Whatever pop
ular moods have prevailed. the imperial
government has never shown signs Of re-
action from q determined advance along
with the worlds best civilization. Soon
after the imperial restoration in 1868 s.
policy of progress for state and society
was formulated and put into operation
Since then this policy has been steadily
supported.
The world does not yet understand how
prudently. faithfully and thoroughly this
has been done. Among the wisest men In
the course Of human affairs are those who
have composed the political association
known In Japan THE elder statesmen"
of whom are yet Marquis Ito and Counts
Inouye, Okuma and 1tagaki. These men
have differed In many ways over methods
and. because of their differing judgements
have often stood apart as the heads of an
tagonizing parties. but In an advocacy OF
the essentials Of progress they have always
been united. The reactionary conservative
has not had any dominant place in the en-
pire since the brief and futile rebellion
under the imperial minister, General Saigo,
in Satsuma, in 1877. This fact should be
set down as one of the extraordinary phe-
nomena of political history. Every year.
for many years. in some imperial proclama-
ton. the announcement has been made that
the nation is unwaveringly moving toward
the accomplishment of the ideals of prog
ress which were chosen when the emperor
was restored to his throne thirty-flve years
ago.
Conservative Temperament.
There Is much misconception in America
and Europe about the temperamental char
acter of the Japanese. Frequently they are
spoken of as the Frenchmen of the orient;
Lott oio OF toll 70 how ov,6
not to be relied upon. Sometimes. their
sudden and apparently reckless assimila
ton of the purposes and ways Of western
civilization is taken as evidence Of tickle
ness and of shallow fidelity. Judgment
could hardly go more amiss. The Japanese
are temperamentally at far remove from
the volatile or maynard. They are really
among the most persistent and conserva
tive of peoples Even the speedy changes
they have been making from the old to the
new, their apparent revulson from and ig-
noring of the civil and social order Of past
centuries. instead of being evidence of in
stability, are, rather, proof to the con-
trary.
When the western powers half century
ago decided to break through the barriers
standing between Japan and the world the
leaders of the nation saw clearly that their
country was doomed, like india China and
the islands of the eastern seas, to fall be-
fore the greed of the west, unless some
way of safety within their own borders
were found. They knew that safety could
not be looked for among the nations whose
navies were impatient at their borders.
They did not admire western civilization,
but they acknowledged its might. and they
believed it would be merciless to them
should they not be able to withstand 1t.
They began their extraordinary adoption of
the scientific and mechanical forces of the
west. Under the instinct of self-preserva
ton their present era was entered. In the
highest degree conservative. consequently,
was the sudden breaking away from their
relatively weak old civilization and their
adoption of the physically and Intellectually
! mightier civilization of the occident.
No Backward Step.
Politically. the outlook shows a more and
pire under the principles and methods of
popular government. The mikado's mon
archy exists and will, in form at least be
long preserved, but it has become a consti-
tutional monarchy, obedient to an increas-
ing exercise of the popular will. The par
lament. now twelve years old, has gained
a real supremacy in national affairs Party
government Is fast becoming a fact in the
directing of the nation. Use whatever for
mulae one may about responsible or ire
SpOnSible imperial ministries, 1t is true that
no cabinet could at present continue in Of
flee with a dominant party in the parlia-
ment active In opposition to it. The past
Twelve years nave Deen almost enSrOSSeQ
with a struggle between all the popular
parties and the government OYER the ques-
ton, Shall the imperial ministries repre-
| sent or not the policy of the parliament
| majority?' "Yes!' is the final practical an
Swer.
The report that non-progressive party
has obtained control of the government has
just recently been authoritatively denied.
In form. the. appointment and dismissal of
ministries. at the sole will of the emperor.
| may continue Indefinitely. but the reality is
that the emperor's choice of his advisers
must be In harmony with the will of the
| majority in parliament Then note that
| popular suffrage is extending and is grow
| ing to be Intelligent chooser Of the
| lower house Of the parliament. Fifty years
| ago the people were the submissive subjects
| of the oligarchy at the time in possession
| of imperial power. Twelve years ago
| very limited popular suffrage chose the first
parliament. Since then the limits to the
! privileges of voting have been so widened
| that in last autumn's elections, a consider
| able proportion of the people cast ballots.
With the exercise of suffrage, naturally
public opinion grows. AS education extends,