Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-03-08
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Z led japan at close range, TO realize
how constant in her anxiety to fol
low the very best traditions OF Occi-
dental countries I'm every act OF her
national life. Her statesmen and her
people alike seem to realize that is is
by this standard alone that she will
be Judged. and that in spite Of the fact
that she Is only baby among modern
nations the aspirations she has will
cause her to be held to the strfctest
accounting for everything she does
II Japan falls short Of the goal she
has set for hersolf-hrst place among
the enlightened people Of the world,
certainly noble nation--she will fail
by reason OF her physical limitations
and not through lack OF honorable
sentiment or cndcavOr.
The American people are them
solves not unaccustomed to rapid
growth and marvellous change but
even we can hadly conceive OF the
enormous upheayals through which
japan has forced her way. by cOnsti-
tutlonal methods into her present
place among the nations OF the
world
The following brief chronology Of
the empire for the last thirty-six
years tells the whole story. IL de-
serves careful examination II we
would deal intelligently with the
position OF the Japan Of today and
her ambitions for tomorrow.
Chronology Of Reforms.
Mikado restored to full power and
first year OF enlightened rule" 1868
Feudal system abolished: feudal
lords relegated 10 private life
and retired on one tenth former
revenues ............ ........loO5
First appearance Of newspapers 1870
First railway In Japan opened. 1872
Grogorian calendar adopted. d......1S73
Imperial edict orders adoption OF
European dress by officials. 1876
Edicts against Christianity revok-
ed ....... ....,. .... .....,lSfb
Japanese-Korean treaty signed. 1876
Opening OF Parliament in 1890,
promised by rescript ...,.....1ss1
Edlct orders rehabilitation OF old
nObility ..'....' .....' .'' '''lSe4
oficial priesthood abolished. ..., 1884
Constitution granted by the En-
peror promulgated -. -. ....lss9
Firo. imperial diet meets ....,1S9O
International exhibition held at
Tokyo .,. &C.. ..,.,. ..,......lS9O
Japan declares war ON China, sur
render Of Chinese navy and
Wei-fai-Wei ...... zee. ... .,.lS95
Treaty OF peace and acquisition
OF Formosa ... 5000. ........1S95
Gold standard adopted ...,. ,.,.1S97
Treaty revision; end OF exterr.
torlality ..... ...... .....1S99
Japan joins powers in war against
China ..., ....... go. ...lsOO
Alliance OF Japan with Great
Britain announced .,,,, ,..,, ...1902
Japan demands Withdrawal Of
Russia from Manchuria. ......, 1903
Japan Attacks Port Arthur and a
Russian fleet and scores
notable victory ..,... ......190t
Il has been charged against her
that sho is non-Christian power
Wei, there Is not one trace OF Chris
tianlty In the public morals OF any
OF the white powers OF the world
Seltpreservation, Il has been stated,
and Il is absolutely true, is the fun.
damental law OF their policy. Is Il Is
that OF Japan, and selfpreservation
has been termed, with reason. "the
groat common denominator
japan has a right 10 be accepted as
the moral and intellectual equal OF
any people unless and until the con
trary Is proved, II We prefer not TO
consider her our equal In the march
10 a higher civilization then common
honesty must force us 20 admit that