Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-06

Only a Question of Time, Ac-
cording to Reports.
Special Cablegram to The Star.

ST. PETERSBURG, October 6.-Reports
received here indicate that it is only a
question OF time before another war in the
far east occurs. In fact. ever since the con-
clusion of the Russo-Japanese war many of
those interested have been greatly exercised
and perturbed as to the conditions of trade
in those parts Of Manchuria which have
come under japanese influence. Commits
sions Of inquiry organized locally by those
directly interested have visited the various
centers and have reported to their various
chambers of commerce and kindred institu-
TONS Unofficial commissioners of the press
have likewise Travelled to the scene, and
have made reports to their various individ-
ual organs. both solid and sensational. That
many complaints have been uttered, and
continue to be made. is notorious to any
observer or reader Of the newspapers
Much has been written and said concern
ing the commercial dishonesty of the Japan
csc. Much more could be written and said
upon this subject But If one-half of the
reports received here are true, the white
race will wake up to discover that as q race
1t has been outwitted and outgeneraled by
the yellow race. And the final end of some
Of the dishonest practices reported can only
be an economic II not an actual military
and naval war in the not far distant flu
ture. Russia may not be in a position to
h. a.
II for no other reason than because of prox-
unity to the scene of operations, is quite
likely to be forced TO do her share Of the
fighting. no matter whether on the field of
commerce or on the field Of battle.
Idea OF the inexperienced.
1t is apparently the idea of the inexperi-
enced looker-on that directly an armistice
or a peace is concluded every combatant
drops his weapon and HES him away home,
never stopping even to eat until he is in
the bosom of his family. Also, he appar-
emily believes that when the news peace is
declared" comes every ordinary occupation
or avocation of the normal inhabitants of
the country lie Immediately resumed. The
human machine has. unfortunately, still to
be fed, and 1T takes long time to get the
combatants out Of the country.
In the treaty ports of the far east mil
lions of taels worth of piece goods and
other merchandise lie rotting in the go
Gowns. while men who but twenty months
the clubs and damn the Japanese
In Great Britain and the eastern portion
OF the United States, where people have
never come into contact with the Japanese
except In isolated cases, and under circum-
stances which could not possibly afford
any insight into their character, the opin-
ion prevails that they are all that is good
great and admirable. The romance Of
successful war, following it did on the
idealism of poetic mystery in which many
writer's had clothed Japan and which had
permeated the minds of most people, created
a furore of admiration in which it was i'm
possible to utter or hear any word Of warn
ing that the Japanese-like every other race
of men-are by no means perfect.
Contempt Has Vanished.
The contempt with which the Japanese
military and ruling castles formerly regard
ed commerce has now vanished. They now
fhaf trad
Of war Of which they stand in SO great a
need during their first effort toward secur-
ing supremacy in the far east. They are
now determined to make use Of all that
subtle diplomacy which is the characteristic
81 the oriental, and combining 1t with APP
parently frank protestations of candor
which. though nonresident in reality, has
appealed to the western people with a force
1t is impossible to estimate have set out
again to achieve the end they have in
view. Silence, secrecy, masked movements,
masked batteries, rapid marching and the
blow struck home without thought of fail
ure japan intends to make japan the
producing and also the distributing center
Of the far east-frst. The government of
japan has gone into trade for Itself, it's rev.
enues from Its government-owned enter
prises having increased from 81, SOC, 600 in
1903 to $37, 500 600 in 1906
The government OF japan Is making in
government factories everything that her
people require and consume, and dumping
the surplus by means Of her government
railways and government steamships on
the adjoining markets of the far east.
Presently she will be able to dump them
farther afield. And what private enterprise
can compete with q government which has
such weapons at command? Let the world
study the statistical reports and trade re-
turns of Japan. If after doing 50 the ma
lions do not grasp the fact that they them
selves are at war with the japanese they
will-after the usual manner-have only to-
wait little while longer to have that
knowledge brought home to them in a fash
ion they will little relish.