The Washington times., 1908-02-25
Washington to Be Bat
tie Ground of Minis
ter WI and AmbaS-
Sador Takahira.
Both Nations Seek Sup
port of America, But
Odds Favor the
CeleStialS.

There is a very Vel defined sentiment,
fortified by recent developments. that
Minister WI Ting-fane, who Is soon 10
arrive IN the United States. viii inau-
gurate an entirely new phase OF di-
piOmacy, IN 80 Tar as u centers upon the
Orient
It is asserted that Japan. prostrated
by her own financial trouble, viii take
the rear % the stage, and China, which
has found her position uncomfortable
under the tutelage OF Japan, viii come
10 the front with an entirely independ-
ent policy.
such a course he's been IMPRESSED up-
On China as the result Of the aggres-
sive policy Of Japan in Korea and Man
churia- This has not only given rise 10
protests on the part OF the Chinese. who
are the most 20 suffer. but also on the
part or the foreign merchants, who have
been successful IN persuading their gov
ernments that japan proposes 20 give
no consideration 10 tth- than her own
people.
Measures for the modernizatIon OF
China's army, as conceived by the Jana
nesc, have been abandoned, and China
has been left 10 her own resources.
Japan, burdened with an enormous war
debt, and battling for her policies IN the
face Of a strenuous internal opposition.
apparently for the time being, has been
forced out OF her benignant attitude OF
champion Of all the orient. China Is
preparing 10 seize the opportunity OF as
serting her independence. with the CO.
operation OF western governments.
Struggle Is Coming.
: It Likely. therefore. that the nost
absorbing diplomatic struggle in Wash
ington during the coming year win be
that between Minister WI. who had all
ready achieved a record here, and Baron
hogoro Takahira, the japanese ambas-
sador, who Is likewise well known for
hts successes as Japan's representative
In Washington. and at the Portsmouth
peace conference.
At the outset. Minister WI will nos
sess the advantage. The United States
IN her policy has shown a marked in
terest in China. This was inaugurated
by Secretary Hay In the pronunciation
Of the "open door" and has been con
tinued by Secretary Root BY the remis-
sion OF u7000 000 of the CHINESE in
lNLtAl4AAG anu AltD FNtEADAlHilllEnL OF the
eXtraterritoriai court at Shanghai. An
extremely favorable sentiment also has
been created by the contribution Of
more than S500.0 600 to the Chinese famine
fund by American citizens. Moreover.
Secretary Root has indicated that he
viii not allow any violations OF the
open door" policy on the part or Japan
20 go on without protest.
China's posi- ibilities as a fertile field
FOR the development OF commerce are
likely 70 prove too alluring TO European
governments, particularly Germany and
Great Britain, 10 permit them 70 object
TO this policy.
Japan, on the other hand. so far as
popular sentiment may be taken TO in
hueuce diplomatic position, finds herself
in a precarious situation. The recent
fight on the budget has shown the i'm
poveTished condition OF the country
Her attitude in Manchuria has shown
her policy 10 rccOOp her L sses al the
risk OF her prestige with oreign gov
ernments-
Japan Losing PTesi ige.
In the English colonies in the Far
East, and in England itself the dispo-
sition to look upor the AngIo-Japanese
treaty as al sncWnbrance is beginning
to manifest It self. SO far as the United
States is concerned. despite the rumors
Of the possibility OF war. Japan has in
dicate1 in her treatment OF the erp{era -