The Washington herald., 1908-04-12
By FREDERIC J. HAsKIN.

Tokyo. Feb. 27-The Yellow Peril.
What does it mean? Those who essay TO
answer the question are divided into two
schools, one which declares the Peril
threatens the supremacy of Occidental
civilization, the other which asserts that
there is no Peril.
Take the view Of those who see danger
ahead: Since Japan has become a first
class military power and has proved TO
the world that the lessons in the use of
the edged tools of the white race may
be thoroughly learned by the yellow,
there is alarm ia the minds Of the states
men of every nation of the Oceident. Ia
/ the whole of Asia east OF the Punjab
there are less than 25O,OO0 white people,
not counting the Russians, who exercise
commercial and political dominion over
500, 100000 or 9o0000,000 of Asiatics. Thus
Oriental political affairs are in state OF
unstable equilibrium. and a readjustment
would involve the peoples of the whole
world
The whole political map will be changed
when the Oriental skaters the prestige
OF the white race ia Asia. There Is not
a group OF Asiaties anywhere from Ton
quin to Chinese Tartary which does not
know that Japan has licked the boots
off of Russia. and thereby proved its eiigi-
hility to become the captain OF the yel-
/ low host that is destined to restore ORR
entail world supremacy China is awak-
] - us,l
even the easte-bound millions OF India are
/ beginning to feel the stirring of g national
spirit which viii inpel them TO break the
European fetters which bind them.
In the entire history Of the world the
possession Of Asiatic trade and influence
has always marked the food Of empire,
while its loss has meant the ebb OF
power. Three times since Macedonia first
placed European shackies on Asiatie
limbs has the Asiatio spirit been power
ful enough to threaten the destruction
OF Europe-the Arab empire of trade
which sapped the foundations Of imperial
Rome: the fanatic rule of Islam which
crossed into Europe. overthrow the By
zantine empire. subdued Spain. and
| knocked at the very gates Of Christian
Rome: and the Mongol empire. which ex-
tended its conquests into the heart OF
Europe, overruning Hungary and Po-
/ land. These things have passed away,
/ leaving only the Sick Man Of Europe on
/ the Bosporus as a reminder. Since the
advent Of modern civilization and mod
ern diplomacy the Asiatie has been a
subject race.
/ Now comes Japan. throws of the habit
Of the recluse monk takes the modern
/ implements OF war. and goes forth-to
do what? To expand. To become a great
! empire. To captain the Asiatic hordes and
/ become the ruler OF the world. Men may
/ say that the day for conquest and domi-
naat empire is passed. but SO men have
said before. Napoleon turned back the
clock Of time for centuries. that he might
! become the chief OF sll men, and he was
backed by a small people. II Japan can
/ succeed in its courtship Of China TO the
extent of gaining the support OF its 4oG.-
/ 000, 600 people and its immense wealth
what is TO stand in the way Of an AsiatiC
| conquest OF the world?
/ The next half century viii see the yellov
+ tide sweeping through Manchuria ana 81
IBERIA toward Europe. down through The
/ Philippines and the Islands OF the Sea Il
/ Australis, and across the Pacific through
Hawaii 10 the shores Of the Americas
/ To-day Japan Is wearing the smile Of a
| peaceful and industrious nation. but al
the same time it is grinding its people
1 into the earth by increasing taxes i'm
posed for the purpose OF building battle
ships training soldiers. and purchasing
| the munitions Of war. Its agents swarm
1 through the byways OF interior China
preaching the doctrine OF Asia for the
1 Asiatics.7 In Korea and Manchuria ifs
statesmen take advantage OF the fruits
Of thea first successful clash with Europe
| by instituting an ambitious programme
/ Of japanese extension, which means the
ultimate exclusion Of Occidental trade and
/ influence.
Revolution is certain 10 come IN China
and when the Manchu rule Is ended and
La Chinaman sits on the throne Of the
/ Son Of Heaven, then the Japanese doc
/ trines will be more welcome than now
/ Let not the world be deceived by the
present show Of jealousy and enn1ity be-
tween China and Japan-both are Asiat-
/ les. and as such viii stand together
/ against the Westerner when the time
/ comes.
| Thus speak those who believe that there
Is actual danger TO modern civilization