The Washington herald., 1908-04-05

CANT praise and acclaim with which il
was received. If the japanese had their
heads turned by the success of their arms.
the fault lies largely with those who
fattered them and exaggerated their per-
formances entirely out Of proportion 10
their reel value.
When the war ended the treaty be-
tween Japan and Russia permitted Japan
to exercise control over Korea, but stip-
ulated that the civil authority in Man
.ehuria should be returned TO the Chinese.
IN whom ii was rightfully vested. and
that the open door should be main
tanned. Three years have passed since
the war. and now it is charged that Japan
has failed TO abide by the spirit OF It's
treaty agreements, however Il has kept
to the letter. and that japanese agrees
sion in Manehuria, and even in China
proper, is Of exactly the same nature as
that OF the Russian. II is charged that
American commercial interests are more
effeetually shut out Of Mauohuria now
than during the era OF Russian domina-
ton, and that Japan is showing evidence
Of disposition TO shut up China to al
Of the other powers. This IS VVhy the
japanese have suddenly ceased 10 be the
pet children Of the nations"
The American interest in ths question
is peculiar The United States is the
only one Of the great powers which has
not been suspected Of designs upon a nor-
ton Of the territory Of China. When the
war between Russia and Japan began.
John Hay. Secretary Of State. addressed
note 10 the two warning powers and
obtained their pledges that the fight
would be confined to Manchuria. and that
other Chinese territory should remain
inviolate. Thus the United States stands
to-day in the attitude Of the chief chs m
pion Of the territorial integrity OF the
Chinese empire. The American govern
ment is the only one that any Of the
powers viii trust in China, and it is also
the only one in which the Chinese have
confidence.
Thus the theater Of the drama Of world
politics has been removed to the Orient
In the cast Of players there Is a new
actor of a different blood. For the first
time in modern history an Asitic nation,
emerging from hermetic secluslon which
had bound it since the days when Alex
ander the Great wrested the scepter OF
world rule from Asia. has become a fig
ure OF commanding interest. The progress
of Japan since it took on Western ways
is the most rapid in the history Of na-
tions But wonderful as It is. il IS not
possible that in fifty years it could so
change as 10 measure up 10 the stand
ards Of the Oecident, acquired through the
experience Of twenty centuries Of blood
and struggle.
Japan has adopted Occidental civiliza-
ton as one puts on a cloak Underneath
the white shirt-front of the japanese
statesman still beats the heart Of an
Oriental. For this reason this newest and
greatest issue in world politics IS uncer-
tain. Ever since civilization evolved a
code of international morals. all the great
powers have been Christian. have been
Of the white race. and have had more
or less common education, The Japanese
does not thing as the Occidental thinks.
Clever as he may be in adopting West
eTn guns and Western dress. he is charg-
ed with being unable 10 comprehend the
white mans code, or being incapable OF
PLAYING the game in the white mans way.
This is why the prediction is made that
he may unsettle the peace Of the world.
lCopylishi. 1903 By Frederic J. Haskin.l.
TO-mOrrOw-JHDsne secret SER
vice.
EDITORS NOTE-The foregoing is the
beginning Of a series Of articles from
Japan which viii appear daily in The
Washington Herald for several weeks.
The reader win find these letters enter
taining, instructive, and altogether impair
tiaL The subjects or Mr.. Haskin's arti-
cles for this week follow:
Monday-Japanese Secret Service.
Tuesday-Japanese Emigration Views.
Wednesday, Finance in Japan.
Thursday-Japanese Business Methods.
Friday-Japanese Labor Conditions.
Saturday in Japan.