New-York tribune., 1905-04-16

Chinese treaty OF Shimonoseki which closed the
Japano-Chinese War. He will there find 1t set
forth IN substance that the time has come when
the yellow races OF Asia should stand together
TO resist the encroachments Of the white races
Of Europe. II he still doubts that the japanese
viii not take up the task Of guiding China in the
work OF political and economic regeneration, let
him read the awakening OF Japan" by Okla
kura Kakuzo.
If he still thinks that China is not really awak-
ening that she is not certain to up IN bust
ness for herself and start in earnest upon the
march OF modern progress, let him read the
Letters OF Chinese Official" or my little book
on China.
II he imagines that all this may take place
without affecting us, let him reflect that, al
though We have despoiled her Of no land. and
now stand for her territorial integrity. We, in
common with every other power that had mis-
sonary or a merchant in China. could send a
soldier to participate In the capture and plunder
of her capital, have wrested from her and still
hold TO an indemnity far in excess Of any
damage sustained, any actual expense in
CURED by US.
I not unmindful Of the fact that we re-
turned our share OF the fund taken from Japan
many years ago on account Of the ShimonOseki
affair. or that it has been proposed to return to
China all that we unjustly took from her at the
end Of the Boxer war / have doubt that we
should make restitution in the second, as did
in the first case. and believe will, but our
skirts are not yet clear.
And now, one word as to the peace between
Japan and Russia Let us hope, in the interest
Of all mankind, and particularly of themselves,
that it is near at hand, and that it will be per-
manent. To this end, II should be equally fair
and just to the belligerents, as well as to all
others concerned. It should respect and guar
antee the territorial and administrative entity
OF COrea, well as OF China While 1t should
at the same time provide a place for the over
DODulafiOn Ianan. without diSDlQPe-
Hent OF any other people, IL should permit an
outlet from Siberia to an ice free port the
Pacific. Above all, IL should provide and secure
the equal right OF all nations for trade with
every part Of the Chinese Empire, as it existed
before either Japano-Chinese or the Japano-
While I have had for twenty years the
greatest confidence in the genuine quality Of
japanese civilization and the greatest sympathy
with the enterprise and the aspirations OF the
japanese people. have felt that their true
policy was TO confine themselves TO the islands
OF the sea, and refrain from adventures and en-
croachments on the Continental mainland
feel now. Notwithstanding their victories, that
lhey have started upon course, the end Of
which no man can foresee.
While Il is premature to discuss the terms, 1
have doubt that peace under the conditions
which I have indicated Is possible. l wish
could say that think IL probable. The actual
settlement. whenever IL comes, must necessarily
depend mainly upon the belligerents themselves,
but that the consequences viii more less
seriously affect the commercial interests OF
every civilized nation cannot be questioned
Meanwhile II must De apparent 10 ali that the
world in its rush TO furnish Japan with money
10 carry on the war is doing what it can to
strengthen her hands for evil as well as for
good.
Finally, while our interests in the Far East
are mainly commercial, IT Is conceivable that
through our control OF the Philippines, and our
usrficipatlon IN the indemnity Of the Boxer out
| Tages. they may become political. But whether
/ commercial political. or both, they certainly
! warrant the conclusion that at no time since
our independence has our government ever been
/ under q greater more imperative obligation
! than IL Is now 10 maintain that strict and i'm
PARTIAL neutrality between the belligerents ana
| tbe powers Immediately concerned. which is the
| central doctrine OF our diplomacy.
| JAMES II. WILSON.