New-York tribune., 1905-04-16

How the present war between Russia and
Japan IS TO end. or when II viii end. I cannot
presume 10 say. No man knows. There are
ominous outgivings IN regard 20 territorial and
money indemnitles. neither OF which is without
precedent in the experience OF the modern world.
Nations in such matters are presumed 10 do
what they can do. and see no reason why the
japanese should not be expected 70 follow their
own precedent They exacted both territorial
and a money indemnity and. besides. insisted
upon certain commercial advantages from China.
Why should they not insist upon similar terms
from Russia?
/ can see no reason. under the circumstances.
why they should not. They VIII probably stay on
the continent this time, come what may. And
this makes permanent disturbance OF the bal
ance OF power in Eastern Asia. II E,rings about
a state Of unstable equilibrium" It inaugu-
rates new epoch iA the history Of mankind. L
becomes an encouragement TO every Asiatic po-
pie. II means Asia for the Asiatics. 1t means
that the white nan is no longer TO dominate.
y means that the period OF spoliation has come
TO an end. II means THAI Japan is awake It
means that China must also awake. and that
The two VIII awaken all Asiatic mankind.
] have always held that the yellow peril"
is myth which might be ignored. and this was
q reasonable view so long as the yellow races
remained separate and without a leader. But
the triumph Of the japanese in 1895 settled thar.
Their present triumph over the Russians con-
firms and emphasizes II. II makes Japan the
hegemon-the ruling people of the Asiatic races
and viii surely turn every element OF discOn-
tentment in Asia toward her for instruction and
guidance.
In her last war, well as her first, she was
doubtless fighting for what she conceived to be
her own permanent and paramount interests
the conservation Of her own possessions and In
dependence. and for an outlet for her overflow
population But in her last she was also
nghting for China-for her territorial and ad-
ministrative integrity. And. except in so far as
she must violate that herself. she must be ex-
pected 10 DO what she can TO make that good, as
against Russia at least.
And win this task not impose upon her the
task Of showing the Chinese how 20 moderniEs
and reorganize their government-how 10 de-
relop the untold resources OF that empire-how
70 build railroads. open mines. erect furnaces.
rolling mills and factories-how TO levy. collect
and administer taxes-how 10 organize and ad-
minister armies ard navies-how 10 run en-
honest and efac.cnt government-in short no"
10 90 al the things the japanese have then-
selves learned 70 DO so wei?
This means an economic revolution for China
Il means a new epoch 81 that empire. II means
an end Of the old-a commencement Of the new
The military consequences Of all this are doubt"
less remote. but the economic, the commercial
the financial consequences. which must neces-
s-riy Bsecede the military consequences are
near at hand. The japanese. having shown them
selves adopts IN all such matters. and that they
need no longer stand IN awe OF any nation IN the
world. may well insist on taking the leading
part IN the political and economic development
OF China This means that the European. who
is az best an interloper and a middleman. VIII
be dispensed with in China he has been IN
Japan It means that Japan. which has an over
low o. population. who live frugally and work
Tor low wages viii furnish all the manufactured
articles China cannot produce herself. But. above
al, II means thar occupation will be found foF
the countless millions OF frugal. industrious
Cinnamon. IN work OF which they have no con-
eeption At present.
IL any one doubts that this correctly outlines
the future OF Eastern Asia. LEI him recall ths
eouysTEation between Il Hung Chang and Count
2le a. Get foEth n tho protocol 20 the Jspsno'