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

eventually control it by her predominance
OF trade and her ownership of the rail-
roads. much as England controls Egypt?
Il think not" replied the Japanese min
iSter. Japan has not sought exclusive priv
ileges of any kind whatever in Korea. She
does not seek the exclusive ownership OF
which the Fusan railroad is being built
have been published and they show that
Korean rights are guarded in the minutest
particulars. The arrangements are. l may
say. far different from those under which
the Easten Siberian railway has been con-
structed. AS to other concessions, one of
the most valuable in Korea. the gold mines
In the northern part OF the empire, Is owned
by an American syndicate, and there is no
reason why American and European en-
terprises shall not have their full share in
the future development of Korean re-
sources. Japan has most certainly no de-
sire to prevent such participation in the
benefits which must follow the development
of Korea"
RUSSIA IN THE FAR EAST.
What in your opinion. Mr.. Takahira,
does Russia want in the far East?"
That is a subject concerning which
must naturally speak with reserve" re-
piled the minister from Japan. I'VE have
shown what we thought of Russas de-
signs in the East by our present action
Whether those designs were the result of
fixed policy or the intrigues of a faction,
has been publicly stated, is not for me
to say. Ii is sufficient TO remember that
Russias actions before the war plainly in
dictated the intention of permanently oc-
cupying Manchuria and of finally absorbing
Korea. We have to deal with facts not
theories, and after endeavoring TO obtain
Russias adhesion to proposals, which L
think were very properly termed moderate
and unseltish, and having failed to obtain
the assent of the Russian government to
those proposals or to any other proposals
likely to establish a firm and enduring
peace I'm the extreme East nothing re-
manned but 10 offer forcible opposition to
the completion of plans which not only
threatened JapanS commercial and indus
trial interests in China and Korea. but
even her national safety
But can Japan raise the money to carry
on a war like this?' l asked
Thus far she has had difficulty" re-
piled the Japanese minister. THE domes-
tic loans were subscribed for at home five
times over, and the careful estimates of
our financial experts indicate that there
will be no difficulty in our raising funds
To come. We have no foreign debt of any
great amount and so far we have made no
from abroad
But will not the war impoverish your
people?"
lit will undoubtedly impose heavy. bur-
dens upon us" replied Minister Takihara,
but l do not think il can possibly impov-
erish the nation 1t is a war of self-de-
tense, not of aggression and while the ex-
peditureS Will no doubt be enormous / am
sure there will be no extravaganza or reck-
lessness. / believe that Japan will display
great recuperative power and that after
the war is over her position will be much
better financially than it has been in the
past"
JAPAN'S WAR WITH CHINA.
What was the effect of the Chinese
japanese war upon your industrial and
financial condition."
THE chinese-Japanese war was followed
by a period of overexpansion. and that in
turn by period of depression. Baron
Shibusawa, one of our most noted finan-
ciers, states that in every country there
are waves of prosperity followed by waves
OF depression. so in the economic history
OF Japan since the restoration there have
been five or six such waves. He adds how
ever. that such changes do not necessarily
country. As he states, the resources OF
Japan are varied and fair in quantity We
have an abundance of raw silk and tea and
| valuable mines OF coal. copper and silver
| We are rich in our water supply and water
| power, which maybe used in the cheaoen-
| ing OF the cost OF production. Coal oil has
| been found in several parts of the empire
and this will doubtless take the place OF
| coal to a large extent. In Yeso there are
coal and silver mines and oil fields, while
| Formosa is rich in gold
ION the whole" concluded the japanese
| minister. II think our outlook for com
mercial and industrial expansion is bright
We are not rich as compared with the
United States, but our resources are as
yet, 10 a great extent undeveloped. Our
| progress along modern lines is a matter OF
comparatively recent date, but within thai
| time the country has made marvellous
| strides
What is the size and population OF
JaPan?' | asked.
1.-THE empire contains about 16l 600 square
miles. 1t is about four times as large as