Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-05-25
THE NEW WORLD POWER.

Nation building is supposed to be
slow process. Yet within the memory
Of men living in japan has developed
from an unknown people into a world
power.
Only few decades ago the Japan
Csc were considered little more than
7barbarians. Today their military PROV
ess and national spirit are causing the
powers of Europe not only amazement
but anxiety
II is never TO be forgotten that a
great war is the supreme test Of ration
al efficiency. Not only does it bring to
the touchstone the courage, discipline
and endurance Of the army and navy,
the intelligence and skill Of the officers
and the leadership Of the generals and
admirals; it also tries severely the pub
lie spirit, determination and self-sacri-
Zee Of the civil population, and puts to
3he proof the foresight and statesman.
ship Of the nations public men, their
power to foresee all contingencies and
their capacity to make full preparation
for them.
IL is no longer to be denied that a /
great world power has risen in the Or
lent, and that this new condition is ro-
garded by the European nations as a
very serious matter. Even England,
which is Japan's special ally in the
present war, is far from being at ease
over future possibilities.
The London Statist, which is said TO
be the organ Of the great financial in.
terests Of England, significantly says;
cit is possible for the most skeptical
60 refuse to recognize that we are face
TO face with a world power which is
destined to exercise great influence
not only in the East, but also in the
Wost-that, in fact, the ascendency Of
Europe is at an end now, and that
there are two non-European great pow.
ers."
The idea which has long been upper
most In the minds Of the iingo. states.
men of Europe is the dividing out Of
the great Chinese empire. Up to the
present time the chief difficulty in the !
way has been the jealousy Of the vari.
GUS nations, each desiring to secure the
lion 3 share, aud each fearing to be
overreached by some Of the others.
Russia had seized upon the vast
northern province OF Manehuria.
France has appropriated Cochin China
In the south. England got possession
Of Hong Kong, at the mouth Of the
Canton river and holds a 99-year lease
ON an extensive region in the interior,
Germany has a like lease Of the prov
inee Of shantung, facing on the Yel-
low sea.
Tho partition Of China was well be-
gun, and the nations concerned were
only waiting for some fitting opportuni-
~ 10 complete the work without quar-
reling among themselves, when they
are confronted with the sudden rise TO
great power Of japan, which has driven
AAhnnAh h'htAN Nhh Va NhhhAAhAAhf Ahh
will soon fully accomplish the work.
Why should not apan's next step be
the driving Of the Germans out Of
Shantungi
II this can be done, II would be in
order to arouse the whole of China aud
India, aud drive all Europeans out Of
Asia.
Under such leadership and following
as the Japanese have exhibited in the
war with Russia II could easily be
done.
Is it any wonder that Europe is wor-
riedi
Aud can America be serenel
If japan can do all this she can also
drive the Americans from the Philip
pines, thus completing chain Of
islands clear from the top to the bot