The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-09-08
JAPANS POVERTY
COMPELLED PEACE
Believed She Was Worn Out
by War.
RESOURCES ALL EXHAUSTED
Population Angry Because of DisaP-
pointment at Not Getting Millions
Expected From Russia.

PARIS Sept S.-Much undeserved
praise is Just now being given the Jap
anese because of their supposed mag
nanimity In giving up their demand Tor
q large Indemnity TO end the war with
Russia.
The fact is however. that japan was
bound 10 make peace, because she had
completely exhausted her resources and
because the Japanese government be-
came Convinced that NJ. White was well
aware of this fact.
The Indignation at Tokyo. which al
most. it is said. amounts to rebellion.
arises not as the Japanese are endeaV-
oring to make it appear, but because
they had so surely counted on the Rus
sian millions. which they 80 badly need.
Surely no one will think of accusing
the English people OF being prejudiced
against the japanese, and statement
by one of the most prominent business
men residing at Tokyo. made TO a
French journalist. might help to con-
vince people of the fact stated:
Japan. he said lis essentially an
agricultural country. Because of the
mountainous character of the country
only l3 per cent of the land is tillable
soil And all of this Is now under cultI-
walton. and cannot be added TO.
Peoples Poverty.
The poverty of the population has
kept steps with its increase, and for
some years Japan has had to import
more than 1oo.00eOO0 francs worth OF
grain annually. For this reason the
government has done everything in its
power to develop Japanese industry.
When one looks N statistical figures
only and sees that certain branches OF
Japanese activity have been doubled oil
tripied. one is easily misled. When one
starts from nothing. II is very easy e
show considerable increase
To be just one should compare tho
of Japan with that of Euro
atoms and then you cannot helI
surprised by its insigniicarce.
ium. with population of abou
-enth OF that of Japan produce.
times much as Japan. Ever
ports of Norway. which by M
can lay claim to being an indus
Duntry are nine times as larg,
ita those of Japan
war expenses during the las
ep Gs half q, Of the an I,iss,
g and absolutely penniless tn
could onl-- have continued tn
! money borrowed in countrie
the real condition of the Japanes
was not known. and where IL wa
red certain that in the end Rus
aid have to pay the cost of IN
Raising the Loans.
Eas. in reality aith in the Rus
Id not in the japanese resource
enabled Japan TO raise thes
The national debt of Japan {
countries has during the we
creased 25OOdo. 0o0 yens. The inter
this and elder debts amount to b,
53.c00.0O0 and 5000. 600 yens an
And TO this comes an enormou
which must now be paid in pen
~ that Japan will receive no in
Y she is ruined bankrupt Sh
1t pay the interest even on he
fact known to all OF US for
here in Japan. merchants O
naries. that since the end OF ~
ople of Japan have had am arder
TO see the war ended II wa
shown by certain indignatio
I General Nogi. who was accuse
K OF energy and talent for uC
Z Port Arthur. This fortress.
tpanese who We're all thirsting f.
&c. represented something tang
nd they said: Once Port Arthu
'ur hands we will make peace %