Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-20
EFFECT OF WAR ON
JAPAN AS A NATION

- YER since the Japanese won their
first victory over the Russians be-
fore Port Arthur at the beginning
- of 1904, the people of the western
world. particularly the Americans
and the British, have been countinu-
ously applauding the little brown men for
their bravery, their naval and military
skill and, in particular their self-repres-
sion under circumstances such as might
make the staidest people do foolish things
In fact there has been a continuous food
of general praise for the japanese They
are sure, 1t is said, TO be most lmpoI tai NJ
world power in the future. Not only this.
but their power is certain TO be exercise
for the good of all mankind They repre-
sent the western civilization in the eastern
half of the world. They stand for occiden-
tai progress as opposed to oriental conserN-
atism.
From the very beginning OF the present
war. however. there have been few dis
cor liant notes in the generally approving
Chorus. Here and there a voice of protesl
has been raised. Occasionally some one
has inquired whether, after all, 1t was 60
Ing TO be better for the world with the
Japanese as victors than with tho Russians
Along with this dissenting query there was
for awhile considerable number OF people
who thought that perhaps the Japanese
might not win after all. wait and see,
said they wait till the Russians get their
second wind.
Ever since the passing of the hope for
Russian victory the chorus of dissent from
the general satisfaction over Japans uni
form victories has been growing. and many
minds are now being turned inquiringly to-
ward the probable outcome.
View of the Pessimists.
It is held by those Of pessimistic mental
attitude regarding the situation that while
Japan does actually stand for progress 1t
is for progress of a wholly materialistic
and selfish sort:
That Japan cares only for Japan and
not at all for the rest of the world;
That the little brown men are not wor-
rying their heads a bit about the preserva-
ton OF American trade in the orient, or
the spread OF Christianity among the
heather;
That they will be quite satisfied if they
are able to take care of their own interests
in the orient; and
military fighting forces they have built up
will be turned against any of the occi-
dental nations which may object 10 the
japanese methods of garnering the fruits
of their victory; that. in fact, they Will be
ever ready to pick a quarrel with any OF
the western nations which does not conduct
Itself In the far east along lines That are
entirely satisfactory to them.
Some. even, have declared it more than
proba BILE that the japanese are likely, some
time. TO turn against lNt 4 lltNl StdLtS'
They foreSee the commerce of the FAR east
absorbed gradually but surely by the Japd-
nese. They foresce the Japanese islands
dotted with manufactures. their ambient
skies cIouded with the smoke Of chimneys,
and the oriental market for foreign manu-
facturers not only in japan. but in China
and elsewhere practically wiped out.
They fOresee the Japanese dlstrust OF
foreigners growing in intensity from year
TO year, until finally their chances in chrys-
anthemum land shall be cut down to little
or nothing.
They foresee coming opposition to the
Christian missions. They foresee Japans
eager hand stretched out toward the Phil
jppines They foresee a general readjust-
meut Of affairs in the orient 10 the advan-
tage solely of the Japs. And they believe
that stimulated by Japan's example and un-
der japanese guidance. China will awake.
Awakened. she will close the open door
to the celestial empire for good and all.
The present Chinese boycott against
American goods is pointed out as only The
beginning of this movement.
II is never we'll 10 give too much heed
to the pessimists but there are some things
about Japan and the japanese that are not
altogether pleasant when viewed from the
western standpoint.
It is a curious thing that almost all the
correspondents who went to Japan in the
beginning OF the war with Russia came
away d!sgruntled and full of resentment,
because of their treatment. They did not
complain that they had been treated impo-
ntely; the japanese have never been charged
with lack OF surface courtesy. But. as no