The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-13
:: Japan on the Yellow Peril =:

has never failed to keep its promises.
Japan undoubtedly has great ias
terest In the impending crisis In tnk
domestic AFFAIRS of China. All the other
nations have expressed such an inter-
est because a., e., Of the importance of their
trade in Chinese territory. Does not
Japan have the. same right to Interest
itself in behalf of Its COMMERCE. In
deed deed, Is not It's interest more vital than
that of other nations when 1t Is re-
membercd that Japanese factories de-
pend largely upon China, both us a
source OF raw material and as a
market for finished products? Japa2
has welcomed Thousands OF Chinese
students to its universities that they
might light their lamps of learning
from the flame of modern civilization
Rave not England and America also
welcomed these students? II the stu
dents who come to Japan go back 10
their homes feeling kindly toward their
Japanese teachers, and ready to turn
trade in t!.sir direction, Is the same
thing not true of the Chinese who
nave studied In other countries? When
a Chinese railroad engineer who was
educated IN America buys supplies. he
professional knowledge in England he
buys his materials In England DO the
western nations consider this unfair
on their part? II not, then 1t is not
unfair for Japan.
The war with Russia, so far from
being the first blow struck by Japan
In It's purpose to establish world
eoniuering Asiatic empire. was blow
from annihilation by European
power. The aggression OF Russia in
Korea and Manchuria was such that 1t
threatened Japanese national growtb
and existence. japanese surplus popu-
lation and japanese trade extensions
could not be drifted toward Europe and
America for obvious reasons. Russia
was manifesting the intention of shut
ting out not only Japan, but all other
countries, from the territory lmmedl.
ately adjoining Japan. Other nations
also recognized the danger of the Rus
sian advance. and England entered into
a treaty OF alliance with Japan. when
that war was In progress the japanese
mad the moral support of most OF the
nations, especially of England ana the
United States. When the victory wa,
won, what nation placed in like cir
cumstances would have abandoned the
territory involved to It's old inefficient
government. and thus lay open the way
Tor the same Russian aggression which
had been repealed at such cost of
blood and treasure?
:, Japan realized that its position in
close scrutiny and provoke much
criticism. IT also realized that some
mistakes would be made. for after all
the Japanese are not the gods which
enthusiastic friends made them during
their late war. They are merely human
beings. But Japan expects that the
scrutiny, shall be honest and the criti-
thin i Ia On, can ask no more than
But to the people of japan the most
painful of .post-bellum happenings has
hcen the rise of an anti-Japanese SEN
timent in the United States. 1t is to
America that Japan owes its present
power and position, for the Meiji. the
Era of Enlightenment, would not have
been possible out for Commodore
made then with the United states.
since japan entered the markets of the
world. the United States has been its
best customer. The friendship of Japan
for America. the friendship of the great
feeling having its origin in the unique
circumstances which first brought the
two countries in contact, since strength
ened to an unusual degree BY the
unvaryingly considerate and some
times even enthusiastically friendly at
titude of the United States 1t Is
than that customarily Expressed in the
honeyed phrases of diplomatic inter
course.
The attitude Of certain class Of
the Japanese as blow in the face
from brother. The Japanese people
cannot believe that the masses of the
Americans ! IN, lis really understand what they
spirit should be engendered which may
bring about rupture in the Affection
ate relations which have existed for
fifty years. Why should the Ameri-
cans close their own door and hen
talk SO brayely about the open door
in the East?
When Japan first came into the in
ternational school where all the great
powers were at study. the boy in a
glorious kimono was welcomed by all
the others, but especially by the hoy
called Uncle Sam.
Little Almond Eyes was an apt pupil,
and all the bigger boys helped him
with his lessons, taught him how to
wear their clothes and how to fight in
their fashion. When one. big bully OF
stupid boy attempted to grab ali the
apples in Mr.. Chinaman's orchard.
where none of the boys had an invita-
ton to come. Little Almond Eyes gave
him good trouneing. The other boys
cheered him and talked admiringly
about the pluck of the little brown
chap, But when Little Almond Eyes
insisted upon having his say about the
distribution of the apples, that was
quite another story, No longer did
the bigger boys pet him. Little Al
mond Eyes has lost his Popularity by
playing the game as the Others taught
him to play It.. Now they frown at
him and call him the yellow Peril.
Copyright, 1905. by Frederic ].
Haskin.)
To-morroW-Ne- ,parers IN Japan