New-York tribune., 1908-03-07
Literary Nesvs and Criticism.

the champion Of the entire Far East with all
the momentous Consequences implied. it be-
h"cves us to ask what manner Of people they
are mat cherish such bold aims. IT is as an
active force that she must he studied, for though
some may regard her deficient in ndepcn-
dent thought and in diplomacy she has no
equal in calculated. consistent and persistent
action close examination OF the constitution
which is here given in extenso recalls the essen
tally oligarchic character of the government it
must be recognized that the japanese govern
nent did not aim the destruction Of Rus
sia in the East but rather at removing the
danger that threatened in Corea and South
ern Manchuria and retrieving the disasters that
followed the with China And it should be
understood that the consisted of a sue
cessful campaign at sea and a successful cam
paign IN Manchurian province that it
ended by mere truce, and that Russia's land
strength then superior to Japan's
a brief survey of her military situation
shows a rapid and unaccountable increase in
her navy. and the absence of Russia as naval
enemy makes il appear that the japanese fear
another coalition such menaced them in
1895 or the development and growth of Amerl-
can sea power.
Cool and cautious however the japanese gov
n-l,;cb s t no Ssn, II nds SCI & paosraI t
that programme is completed nothing will be vent
lapse unless dee It is s ar oes
the possibility affect the cautious builders of the
made with painful. bioodess mechanical precision;
although such exception need be taken to the
great increase which has taken place in the Japan
ferent 1t is TOO strohs~aloout that there can be
a land power in the Far East. as she is in the Far
West: on water she can effect nothing. Such a
fberate purpose which cannot Yet be guessed
With the conception of a greater Japan built
up by natural processes in the sphere of her ac-
cepted influence Europeans can have no quar-
rel. but with a success attained by spreading
the idea of obstruction to European develop
ment in such a field as China the whole world
beside may take issue. And the author
solemnly AYERS: 'Englishmen now know that
after having the Russian largely
through Anglo-Auerican moral support and
Anglo American gold Japan intends make
profit and to take payment not from Russia,
which remained unbeaten, but from the neutral
world Of Eastern Asia And so the struggle
centres round China, the most popuious and
most persistent people on earth. Japan is ac-
cused OF deliberately aiming at the destruction
Of American trade with China, and her alliance
with Great Britain does not prevent deter
mined interference with British interests The
present breach must widen from year to year
until Japan can be induced radically TO modify
her attitude. Asia is on the eve of great events
There is ominous pause, of calm before a
storm Something must be done. and done
without delay. postpone if not to prevent. the
inevitable struggle. England and America,
Russia and Gernany-these are the principal
powers involved besides the two Asiatic nations.
How shall they be aligned? VIII mutual jeai-
ousies prevent cooperation? viii blood always
be thicker than water
Such are a few of the questions put by an
earnest and thoughtful observer for English ana
American chanceeries to ponder over. There
can be no harm in giving them consideration
and weighing strange conclusions with care A
large map adds 10 the value of the volume, and
the authors volunnirous statistics, military.
financial and other are we'll displayed and bear
the evidence Of authenticity.