The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-06-14
. Will Become
China'S Guide
and Mentor
BY General JAMES H. WILSON,. Chief Of staff Of the
American Forces at the Relief Of Pekins

OW the present war between Russia and Japan is to end or
when it will end l cannot presume to say. No man knows.
There are ominous outgivings in regard to territorial and
money indemnites, neither of which is without precedent
in the experience Of the modern world. Nations in such
matters are presumed to do WHAT THEY CAN DO, and I see
no reason why the Japanese should not be expected to follow their
own precedent. They exacted both a territorial and a money in
demnity and, besides, insisted upon certain commercial advantages from
China Why should they not insist upon similar terms from Russia
can see no reason under the circumstances why they should not.
They will probably stay on the continent this time, CONF WHAT
MAY. And this makes a permanent disturbance of the balance of
power in eastern Asia. 1t brings about a state Of unstable equilib-
rum" 1t inaugurates a new epoch in the history of mankind. 1t
becomes an encouragement to every Asatic people. 1t means that
THE WHITE MAN is NO LONGER TO DOMINATE. 1t
means that the period of spoiation has come to a n end. 1t means that
Japan is awake. 1t means that China mus; also awake and that the
two will awaken all Asaic mankind.
Ihavc always held that the "yelow peril" is a myth which might
be ignored, and this was a reasonable view % long as the yellow races
remained separate and without a leader. But the triumph of the
Japanese in 1895 settled that. Their present triumph over the Rus
slams confirm and emphasize it. 1t makes Japan the hegcmon-tho
ruling people OF the Asiatic raccs-and will surely turn every ee-
ment of discontentment in Asia TOWARD HER for instruction
and guidance.
In her last war, as we'll as her first, she was doubtless fighting for
what she conceived to be her own permanent and paramount inter
ests-the conservation Of her " possessions and independence and
Tor a outlet for her overflow population. But in her last war SHE
WAS ALSO FIGHTING FOR CHINA-for her territorial and
administrative integrity. And, except in 50 far as she must violate
that herself, she must be expected to do what she can to make that
good, IS against Russia at least.
And will this task not impose upon her the task of showing the
Chinese how to modernize and reorganize their government; how to
develop the untold resources of that empire how to build railroads.
open mines, erect furnaces, rolling mills and factories how to lew. COL
Act and administer taxes; how to organize and administer armies
and navies; how to run an honest and efficient government-in short,
HOW TO DO ALL THE THINGS THE JAPANESE HAVE
THEMSELVES LEARNED TO DO SO WELL9
This means an economic revolution for China. 1t means a new
epoch in that empire. 1t means AN END OF THE OLD, a COM
mencement of the new.
The military consequences of all this ac doubtless remote, but
the economic, the commercial, the financial consequences, which must
necessarily precede the military consequences, are nearer at hand.
The Japanese, having shown themselves adopts in all such matters and
that they need no longer stand in awe of any nation in the world,
may well insist on taking the leading part in the political AND ECO
NOMlC development Of China. This means that the European, who
is at best al interloper and a middleman, will be dispensed with in
China as he has been in Japan. 1t means that Japan, which has an
overflow of population who live frugally and work for low wages,
will furnish all the manufactured articles China cannot produce her
cell. But, above all, it means that occupation will be found for the
countless millions Of frugal, industrious Cinnamon IN WORK OF
WHICH THEY HAVE NO CONCEPTION AT PRESENT.
ss F.r.
II any one doubts that this correctly outlines the future of eastern
Asia let him recall the conversation between Ii Hung Chang and
Count Ito as set forth i'll the protocol to the JapanC Chinese treaty of
Smonoseki, which closed the JapanChincse war; He will there
lind it set forth in substance that the time has come when the yellow
races of Asia should stand together to resist the encroaclments of
the white acc of Europe.
If he inagnes that all this may take place without affecting us
let him reflect that, although we have desponed her of no land and
stand Tor lie territorial integrity, we, in common with every
other power that had a missionary OF a merchant in China or could
send a soldier to participate in the capture and plumber Of her capital,
have wrested from her and still hold to an indemnity FAR IN EZ-
CESS OF ANY DAMAGE SUSTAINED or any actual expense
incurred by us.
: AM NOT uNM'NoFvt OF THE FACT THAT WE RETURNED
OUR SHARE OF THE FUND TAKEN FROM JAPAN MANY YEARS
AGO ON ACCOUNT OF THE sIMoNosEk AFFAIR OR THAT IT
HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO RETURN TO CHINA ALL THAT WE vN.
JUSTLY TOOK FROM HER At THE END OF THE BOXER WAR. l
HAVE NO oousT THAT We SHOULD MAKE RESTITUTION IN THE
WILL, BUT OUR SKIRTS ARE NOT YET CLEAR.
WOman's Right to the SUFFRAGE
a Nv JOHN Iy prnih w.,,, . s.