The Washington herald., 1907-12-25
Innan and ncr Allics-

1t has been often said by foreign OBJ
servers in japan that one Of the most
characteristic traits Of the japanese
people is 10 use all that can be had that
is worth taking from American or
European sources. better it sometimes
but to recognize no obligations for serv-
ice rendered. That this trait is showing
itself in a marked degree is exemplided in
Japan's outspoken championship OF what
she pleases to can the wrongs Of India
against her ally. Great Britain. Without
that alliance. war with Russia would have
been practically impossible for Japan
and, once begun she could hardly have
carried il 10 success. But backed up by
England, she obtained money and conces-
sions that otherwise were out OF her
reach. and she went on triumphantiy 70
the position Of the dominant power in the
Orient
In "A speech delivered before the Kobe
Chamber Of Commerce recently Count
Okuma arraigned England for her "op-
preston Of India and declared that Hin
doostan was looking to Japan for protec-
ton. He said in part:
Oppressed by Europeans. the 3o0e0O O00 people oi
India are looking for japanese protection. WIS
should the Japancse not stretch ont their handi
toward that country now that its people are looking
70 the JapaneseY Any place where the Japancs,
flag flies may be regarded as Japan The Iapanes,
dominion extends 10 the Pacific the Chinese waters
the Indian Ocean.
Were Great Britain a country directly
hostile 70 Japan. words of bitterness
meant 10 engender strife. could hardly
further go. 1t does not matter much that
Count Okuma is a man out of Office. He
is to-day one Of the most influential OF
| japanese statesmen. and he is the spokes
man Of a great and ever growing party
! OF progress. as progress is counted in
Japan. The London Chronicle. comment
ing on his speech, says Of him:
He Is one Of She most famous. as he is IN,
most eloquent. Of living japanese statesmen n,
vas long the popular leader Of the Progressive party
When such speaks Of the oppression q th,
Z people oi India by the allies of his own country
his words bear sinister omen"
They do. indeed. Since the Russo-Jap.
anese war. Hlndoo students i'm large mum
ber have gone over TO the japanese
3 e~il''i' anu ANiffiHAttf0s anu ddldIcst
agents have. without doubt. been in In
dia doing all they could 20 encourage thi.
tendency u is curious too. 10 say the
least, that about the same time the Jap
anese agents got busy in India there be.
gan the fermentation Of discomfort OF
which there have been so many active
signs recently in the Hindoo press.
Undoubtedly Japan is proving a danger.
Gus rival to England IN the far East and
. this. together with the belief that Japar
/ is not any TOO sincere in her expressions
Of gratitude for what England did FOR hei
during the recent war and the now
blatant antagonism Of Count Okuma. is
likely 20 strain the friendly alliance be-
tween the two nations 10 a point where II
might easily be broken.
This, after all. might not be q bad
thing for England. She has a powerful
enough navy 10 guard her interests in ths
Pacific without trouble. and she may soor
be ready enough % recognize that blood
is thicker than water. and that her inter
ests lie-in any massing OF color against
color-with her blood-brothers among tn,
nations