The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-22

kgEE&l from Japan, on the situation In
- the far East MIR. Takahira is
one OF the ablest diplomats in Washing
ton. lie has for years been connected with
the Foreign Office OF Japan, and has also
represented his country as minister in
Korea Holland and Denmark, Italy Aus
tria. Switzerland and since 1900 at Wash
ington. He is "A man OF broad education.
speaking several languages including Eng
lish. in which our conversation was carried
on The talk took place in the parlors of
the Japanese legation. Ny first question
was TO what Japan expects 10 get from
the with Russia.
THAT question can be answered in one
word said the minister. Japan expects
Justice But speaking more in detail | may
say that she expects the war TO result in
such a determination OF the rights or the
two countries as regards the north Asian
littoral will secure her against agrees
sion in the future.
what 90 you mean by the north Asian
littoral?'' | asked.
Il mean the territories of northeastern
Asia and more especially those which Dor
der it's seacoast below Siberia; namely,
Korea and Manchuria."
JAPAN AND CHINA.
but how about China, your Excellency?
Some people speak of the one for
the control of China. Is japan ambitious
to control Gilman
piled Minister Takahira. "Japan's attitude
upon that subject was fully defined in the
negotiations which preceded this war. In
those negotiations she insisted upon mu-
tuai engagement between herself and Rus
sia to respect the independence and terri
torial integrity of the Chinese and Korean
empires. and also upon a mutual engage
ment TO maintain the principle of equal OPP
portunity for the commerce and industry
of all nations in those countries.
''Will there ever be an alliance of Japan
and China against the world?
No replied the minister from Japan.
Il don't believe that any sane political
thinker who understands the actual con-
ditiOns of the two nations can honestly
suggest such a possibility. The suggestion
Is either founded on gross ignorance, or IL
IS based upon malicious desire to inture
Japan in the eyes of the world. An ALI
ance between two powers must necessarily
be based upon mutual advantage. and
where could Japan gain strength by an alli-
ance offensive and defensive with China?
II Is an established principle of modern po-
htical science that the power which is to
hold any weight in the world must be able
not only 20 defend itself from outside ma
tions. but also to control and organize its
people at home. 1t must keep order. put
down rebellions and be able TO call out its
subjects at any time TO its support in all
matters of national defense Every one
knows that China is not in this condition.
and. while we OF Japan admire the Chi
nesse people for their scholarship, CONNER
cial integrity and other high qualities, we
realize that they not military power,
and we question whether they Will be so in
the ages TO come. This being the case,
there is no fear OF any such aggressive al
lance as you suggest. and hence vel
low peril, as such a possible alliance has
been called"
AN INDEPENDENT CHINA
What Japan would like to see as to
China" continued the minister, lis that
she should follow in her footsteps in util-
izing such elements of the Western civili-
as hos
would lead to the development of her great
resources In industry, commerce and trade,
and In the development Japan only wishes
to share equally with the other powers
lions should take the same position toward
China that the United States has so ably
maintained for the past few years. That.
more than anything else, would help TO
preserve peace in the far East"
Then YOU think that China should hold
its present independent position upon the
map OF the woTld?''
Il do" replied the Japanese minister
From our standpoint the preservation of
Chinese independence, what has been
well termed the administrative entity of
the Chinese empire. is most desirable. That
is one OF the objects for which Japan is
contend!ng. divided China means peril
TO Japan. and l sincerely believe that il
would be OF no lasting advantage 10 any
Western nation. on the other hand, an in
dependent China, with her territorial in
tegrity unimpaired. must. as her enormous
resources are more and more developed.
prove fruitful field 10 the commerce and
industry OF all nations"
How about Korea?" 1 asked
Speaking generally" replied the Jap
anese minister. Il may say that we hope
the same good for Korea with the intro
duc.ion of Western methods and civilzing
Influences and the peaceful development
OF its resources. At the same time the
world recognizes the fact that the near
neighborhood of Korea TO Japan and the
strategic importance of Korean territory
far regards the maintenance OF the
security OF the Japanese empire. natural
~ give Japan what was called in the ante
bellum negotiations 'prepOnderating in
terCst IN Korea In saying this / do not
mean that Japan has any designs upon
the independence and territorial integ-
rity OF Korea. nor any purpose OF exclud-
Ing from Korea the industries or com
mercc OF other nations nor hamperine
foreign enterprise in any way. | mean
that Japan cannot with due regard 10
he- own safety. permit any other nation
10 absorb Korea. or 10 use Korea as a
vantage point from which to attack the
Japanese empire"
But even II Japan does not nominally
own h9re1. Dir. Takahira, will she not