Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-11-09
LECTURE BY JAPANESE.
Prof. Asakawa Speaks Of Portsmouth
Treaty and Its Bearing.

I a.
I the chair of the department Of the st al
+ Dartmouth college, leetured on the Peace
/ Conference and the Treaty Of Portsmouth
/ last Thursday evening before a large
audience. Though bis lecture covered the
ground with which diiigent readers OF
newspapers and magazines are rather
/ familiar, il had the charm OF a representa-
/ ton OF facts from the japanese point OF
view and more clearly defined many
particulars somewhat hazily understood
before.
The speaker, a young man possibly in
/ the early thirties, has acquired a mar
vellous command OF the English language,
/ with a nice discrimination in the use OF
words that gives him a polished style
rarely attained even by those to whom
/ English is the mother tongue. His utter
ances were distinguished by a modesty
that eliminated the slightest hint OF
boastfulness' of his country's achieve
ments Though an American audience
would think a little proud Growing but
natural under the eircumstances), while
the Characteristic courtesy OF his nation
was noticeable in the entire absence OF any
slurring allusion to the Russian foe.
| He rehearsed the story of the peace con-
| ference, the last ten days OF which he
| thought the most dramatic period, when
| the japanese waved their claim to in
demnity and one half OF Saghalien The
Toxic council saw that Japan's claim for
indemnity was no stronger than Russia S
objection was TO II then or was likely to
/ be after more bloodshed. The war had
accomplished its mission and won for
Japan all that she wanted. Expansion
in Korea and China is the dream Of the
japanese and had the indemnify been
secured il would oubtedly have been
expended in a vast military occupation in
those countries. But the objelts of the
war were neither financial primarily nor
humanitarian primarily and the council
ors. reminding the nation Of the prin-
ciples for which it fought, forced moder-
alton upon il. Hence the outcome Of the
peace negotiations was not a triumph OF
Russian diplomacy over Japan, but the
triumph Of Japan over herself. Monsieur
Witte reversed the policy OF his govern
ment, went far beyond it in the matter Of
the open door, and a series OF concessions
were made on both sides.
japan is passing from an agricultural TO
an industrial state. Her Importation of
food stuffs is increasing and trade with
Korea and Manchuria has become
necessity of her growth. The interests
of these three-Japan, Korea and Man
ehuria-are common and growing in
creasingly so. The last two feed japan
with their grain exports, while she
clothes them with her cotton and wooden
goods. Should this trade cease four
tenths OF Korea and three fourths of
Msnehuria would lose their purchasing
power and japan would be seriously
crippled.
la Korea, Japan has done important
work in railroad transportation, river
navigation, currency and other poiitico-
economic matters which directly concern
the native and foreign interests. Japan
has complete control Of Korean post, tel
ephone and telegraph systems and to the
First bank OF Japan at Seoul hasbeen en-
trusted all business connected with none
tary interests. Thus ii Is seen that
Japanis policy is paramount in Korea, and
the interests OF the two countries closely
connected.
In Manehurla the new treaty provides
that China's full sovereignty shall be re-
instated and that japan and Russia agree
TO equal economic opportunities for all
nations. kwang-tung, including Port
Arthur and Dalny, was transferred to
japan, and while it is IDLE to speculate as
to the dsmantling or identification OF
/ Port Arthur, that stronghold viii very
4 likely be refortifed by Japan
Nine hundred and thirty-siX miles of
/ Manchurian railway are controlled by
/ Russia, while 625 miles are In the hands of
\ the japanese, Russia ceding to them lOi
miles above the boundary OF their mil
tary occupation. In Manehuria, too, are
beds Of coal estimated al l,090, 000, coo tons,
/ for which Japan can offer a profitable
market.
Chinese patriotism seems to center in
1 Manchuria. and China is determined to
effect such a permanent STATE OF order in
the peninsula as will prevent recurrence
OF the troubles which caused the war.
/ The railway guards of so men IN kilo-
metre to protect the lines from mounted
bandits, will be Withdrawn as soon as
China has established the desired settled
/ conditions.
The Anglo-Japanesea alliance Of August y
espouses the open-door policy and the in
| tegrity of China, and the only source OF
danger apparent is possible diplomatic
| intrigue in Pekin. Japan, Korea and
Manchuria in close proximity, mutually
| dependent in trade relations are now
/ bound together in relations permitting
both territorial integrity and industrial
I expansions more natural condition than
the old exclusive page of history.
In the November Atlantic Prot Asaka-
wa has an article on skorea and Man
churia under the New Treaty." embody-
! ing much of the material Of his lecture.