Semi-weekly herald., 1908-05-21
THE CRISIS IN THE EAST.

BY reason of Its territorial position
IN the Pacific region the United States
Is certain hereafter to note closely
what is going on in eastern Asia, the
most denscly populated part OF the
world. and one with which we have
large and growing commercial inter
ests. In more than one respect a
critical international situation exists
there now. Japan is in financial
straits. and the Chinese guilds. which
extend throughout the empire, have
begun boycott against business in
any form with the Japanese. When
the Chinese recently, in their own
waters, seized O Japanese merchant
ship on charge that she was loaded
with arms and ammunition for Chi
nese rebels, the action OF Japan was
prompt and threatening, and the Chi
nese authorities. under naval menace,
were required to pay for the muni-
tions taken, punish the officer who
directed the seizure, and salute tho
Japanese flag AS the Chinese have
practically little army and no navy.
their resentment over Japan's quick
show of the mailed hand has taken
the boycott form. The Chinese nave
organized what they peculiarly call a
National Disgrace association, and
propose to keep It up until they teel
that their sense OF national honor
has been vindicated by making Japan
pay a dollar for every cent 1t collected
in indemnity.
The chief Chinese import from ia.
pan is coal, and steps have been taken
to get this commodity from Other
countries and from newly opened
mines IN China. In tne boycott me
chanics a well as business firms have
Joined, and 1t is clear that, CONNER
clally, a state Of hostillties already
exists. Japanese merchant ships
are ignored in Chinese ports and lhs
movement has spread rapidly. In the
boycott the Chinese guilds take The
lead, but the government IS under
stood to look on with secret approval
China's uDarmed condition is far from
being an argument for peace, OF itt
safeguard. The old empire Is bulliet
by smaller power and retaliation Is
turned over to the business organiza
tions. This policy Is a general de
rangement OF trade and q source o.
heavy loss to the nation put under
ban. 1t Is irritating as well as dam
aging, Japan and China are now
more at enmity than they have beer
for years, but Japan alone is pre-
pared to set an army and navy In mo
ton, and in this direction many inter
national restraints are to be consid
cred. There is bad blood between tht
two largest countries of the Orien
and the outcome is obscure.
Japan, which has spread out 81
much in its national scheme in thu
last FIVE years, is facing a big defci
In its budget 1t needs at once
loan of 70.0O0,oO0 yen. but is at
loss where TO turn for IT. II Englan
can not serve 1t In such an emei
gency It is hard to see why Their
should be an alliance with that ma
ton, including an obligation, In Gel
tain contingencies, to help England
fight in India British diplomacy II
the far east in late years has no
worked out as was expected. The al
lance with Japan is problem and
burden. II one OF the thoughts bacl
Of 1t was to overshadow the unite'
States In the Pacific, the plan hai
miscarried completely. We can TAX
care of ourselves in that ocean, I
fact quickly recognized by Japan II
the arbitration treaty.