The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-08
DY rEEpEn1c j. uAsI1IN.

4 i
The stake in the great game OF world
politics which Japan is playing against
the power OF the Occident is China.
The Celestial empire Is the oldest the
biggest and the slowcst OF the nations,
also potentially the richest. Its awak-
Icning means that n half billion peo-
pie VIII demand Occidental wares, and
the business OF supplying this trade
Will make great nations greater and
small nations large. But once before
| in the history of the world has any
thing Of like Importance TO commerce
taken place, and that was when CO.
lumbus sailed into the unknown West
and multiplied the world by two.
To dominate this half billion OF hui
man beings, to control their laffairs
and to act in all things as an inter
medlary between them and the Occi-
| dent, Is what Japan aspires to do. II
Japan plays desperate game,
1t has at least the Justification
that the stake is worth taking
chances for. For a variety OF
lreasons the United States OF America
Is also In this game. but not contend
can idea is that China shall be opened
to the whole world and free competi-
ton permitted to all merchants. no
matter what flag they sail under. The
United States in 1900 obtained the
pledges of the powers that the terri
tory OF China should not be cut up.
The Chinese know that the United
States is the only nation that has not
tried to grab piece of their terri
tory. The Chinese also know that every
other power has attempted TO take
some territory. and that Japan wants
1t all. Is 1t strange. therefore, THAT
the Chinese are saying among them
selves that when the American fleet
comes 10 the Pacific there need be no
further fear OF Japanese aggression?
Japan. brought to its present state
by the aid and counsel of the western
PAYERS. and for long time the pet
the dIsplcasure of most of them II
this dspleasure should grow into inl-
patience, and impatience into hostil-
ity. the fault will lie only with ia
TO stop emigration to the United States,
but emigration goes on. Japanese dip
lomatists promise an open door In Man
churia. but the door is closed. Japa-
OF trademark rights, but counterfet's
continue TO multiply. In short. Jap
anese diplomatists continue to make
promises which the Japanese people do
not fulfil. 1t is apparent that although
the Japanese nation claims recognition
as civilized power. apologies must
constantly be made for II.
The Japanese idea seems to be that
initiation and industry Will win for
them everything that the Occident has.
ufacture and work hard. but they ut
terly fail to grasp the vital fact that
Western progress has been based on
a certain code of morals without which
1t would fall to the ground. Thus ii
is that great Japanese business firms
must pay cash in advance for goods,
while the rest OF the world enjoys
credit Thus 1t is that the business
man In the Orient will not risk cent
on contract with Japanese firm,
Thus 1t is that the Japanese themselves
employ Chinese cashiers to handle their
To Justify its claim for extension
of influence in China and on the
Asiatlc continent, Japan declares that
1t has prospered by its adoption OF
Occidental civilization. and that It must
ton to its kindred peoples of Asia.
Grave doubt exists in the minds OF
many OF the closest and fairest OBJ
servers as to the sincerity of this Jap
see that Japan has not given this civ
ilization to its own lower classes ex-
cept in a limited degree. and only az
ter tampering it with japanese ideals.
Japan's aim is to exploit China rather
than to uplift It.
But granting that Japan is sincere
and does not conquer China for the
ton, even then 1t must fall. for it conld
not in quarter of century become
q fit teacher OF the ideals of the West.
born Of thousand years OF blood
nese that they have selected all that
is best in Western learning, and that
the royal road to knowledge is by
way Of Japan. China listens to this
to Tokyo. employs its thousands OF
Japanese teachers and reads millions
of European and American books
translated and published in japan. But
Chinese students could not learn every,
thing in few months at Tokyo, ana
the books tell Of a broader and rich
er field beyond japan. II CHINA IS 20
have other teachers than the lapanesc,
for their very pretensions of knowing
all that Is best is additional proof or
the fact that "a little learning is
dangerous thing"
Japan is playing a serious game now,
past for looking with wonder upon
the simplest thing 1t does merely be-
cause it is Japan. 1t demands that ~
be treated as one of the world pow
ers. and the equal of any of them.
Therefore, 1t must come up to stand
ard with it's actions as well as It's
pretensions. Tt holds itself to be fuil-
grown, and its accounta bility must be
compllsh its purposes By, force In
stead OF trying to build up It's IN
dustries by tagging advantage or lts
cheap labor and making goods to be
sold in open competition. 1t seizes no
Yea and binds up Manchuria to make
an am especial slln market for Japanese wares.
If China does not wish to buy japanese
goods, then China chlns whnpi always DC ~
rhe Japanese do not look ahead or
beneath. Thev initiate the appearance
Of things with supreme 8, disr ,,,;,pa to
s seii a echeap Imitation for Immediate
SCOTT t. and depend for future orders on
their strength to keep ont comnetitors,
This charactsristio Is shown ,,nnn in s tneiI
! i,inr today for temporary advan-
tare for instance the San Franclscn,
school affair, without locking forWardt
M GAINED bv holding hands off, IT Is
s shown in their business by the fact
that Industrial concerns divide their
earnings in dividends Immediately and
Ill yotn IN