The Washington herald., 1908-04-20

4lAC 4tEEnL WISH VI a AAlADti % us
tinguished japanese business men and
ladies, under the auspices Of the Tokyo
Morning Sun. serves to call attention in
many ways to the rapid progress that
Japan Is making IN competition along
Occidental lines. Since the Russo-Jap-
anese war the governmental schools have
insisted on English being taught, and so
far has Nippon advanced in the use OF
English that it may have been noticed
that each member Of this party OF sixty
Japanese had his luggage marked with
his name in English letters. And these
men were from Osaka. NikkO. BIiyan-
oshita. Niigata. and other out-of-t he-way
cities
It Is such little hints as this that re-
mind Us that while we are at peace with
Japan-and we hope it may be long con-
tinued-we are vet engaged in an indus
trial and commercial war that, on the
side Of the Japanese. is being waged with
all its might
The empire OF the Mikado, IN its ef-
fort to extend its industries. foster its
commerce. develop its resources. and pro
mote its trade, both domestic and foreign.
Is trying the somewhat dangerous ex-
pertinent of launching out into CONNER
eiai and industrial paternalism in its ex-
tremest form.
Throughout the empire the municipal
ties are undertaking TO own and to run
all their municipal MISUNDERSTANDING
transportation. electric power, and so on,
But further than this. the national gov
eminent is going in, to a greater extent
than was ever done by any nation be-
fore, Cor commerce and industry.
II is true that Japan has not adopted
this new experiment Of paternalism in
government from any firm conviction
that this Is the best and most economical
way to foster industry She has. in fact.
been forced into 1t by the imperative
need Of revenue in which she found her
self at the close OF the war
For the purpose OF increasing her in
ternal revenues, the japanese govern
ment proposes to lend its assistance d.
rectly to any form of Industry that prom
ises a profitable future. and the japanese
statesmen find it left to them to decide
what industries shall be subsidized and
what left to struggle on alone.
One Of the most striking examples OF
the new governmental methods of Japan
is her experiment in the exploitation OF
Manchuria and Korea. Japan is deter
mined to crush ali trade competition In
this territory and to create a gigantic
and, she hopes, a profitable monopoly. To
help this along. japanese merchants
everywhere are encouraged in their ex-
portations to Korea and Manehuria. and
if they want TO extend their business
they are enabled to borrow money from
the government-control banks at
reduced rate Of interest, with a rebate
TO those merchants who do annual bust
ness of a certain magnitude. This money
Is part Of the last foreign loan. nego-
tiated just after the battle Of the Sea of
japan, and in most instances it is being
loaned to the Japanese merchants at a
lower rate of interest than the govern
ment pays for it. How long this can
continue. how it is going to pay in the
long run. and what the end Is to be. no
one can as yet foresee. On the face Of
1t, the plan seems doomed to failure.
But there is no manner of doubt that
either through this experiment of gov
ernment-aided industry and commerce. or
IN some other way yet to be devised.
Japan Is determined 20 fight the battle
for industrial supremacy in the far East
bitterly and with bravery. She has de-
liberately announced her intention to
drive industry and commerce-other than
her own-out of certain territory, and.
realizing that the fight viii be a bitter
one, and may have world consequences,
she is not taking any chances.
The "around-the-world tour of Japa-
nese business men is but one straw show
ing which way the wind blows