The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-04-13

By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Tokyo. Feb. 2S-Unbiased students Of
the far Eastern situation who read the
arguments advanced by those who fear
the yellow peril will not fail 10 care
fully consider the attitude Of the Japa-
nese people toward the questions at issue.
The answer OF Japan to the cries Of the
alarmlsts. as gathered from those close
to the controlling craftsmanship OF Tokyo,
may be expressed thus:
That their laudable ambition for ma
tional growth should be looked upon by
Western nations with alarm is a cause
for establishment TO Japanese statesmen.
Those men who guide the destinies Of
Japan desire nothing more earnestly than
that their country be permitted to stand
shoulder to shoulder with the Western
nations striving TO advance the common
cause Of modern civilization, and in peace
ful rivalry for commerce and all those
things which go to make a people happy,
prosperous, and great Japan has ambi
tons as every nation worthy Of the name
must have, but their accomplishment i'm
plies no danger 10 other powers. Natu-
rally. it will try TO do all that It can 10
attain commercial supremacy in Asia,
and as long as Il acts fairly and with
Que regard for the rights Of others, why
should it not gain the goal? If it does
not act fairly then It will fail. Are the
other powers not willing TO enter the lists
with Japan under a guarantee OF a fair
field and no favor? Would they combine
against Japan? And If so, would not that
action force Japan to attempt an Asiatic
alliance and thereby bring about the very
sf.f H-H- T..
much danger to the Oecident?
In Korea Japan IS attempting TO rene
dy the curses Of centuries OF misrule.
The control Of Korea came TO Japan with
the legitimate sanction. Of the treaty Of
Portsmouth, and In accordance with the
European standards of international pol
icy. Japan would resent interference with
its position in Korea. just as the United
States would resent interference with
its administration in the Philippines or
Porto Rico II Japan. having adopted
Western civilization and Western meth
DDS, is not to be permitted 10 do its part
In spreading that civilization to less en-
lightened peoples, then the money and
effort expended by Western nations 10
bring Japan up 10 their standard has been
wasted If Japan has no mission in
Korea and Manchuria 10 help the people
there by its superior civilization, then
what is the mission OF England in India,
or Of the United States in the Philip
pines?
True, there have been complaints Of ex-
cesses committed by japanese subjects
in Korea. and frightful tales Of wrong
doing. Some Of these stories may be
true, but have We not heard the same
kind Of tales from India and the Philip
pines? Was there not mutiny among
the Hindoos. an Instruction among the
Filipinos? In all that Japan is doing to-
ward national expansion, has It not the
glorious precedent Of the example Of
every Western nation? Shall the
Japanese take Western Ideas and put
them to use in pulling the chestnuts out
Of the fire for European nations, while
the world applauds, and then. be stopped
from using those ideas for its own bene-
fit? Are the Western nations afraid of
the newest recruit TO the ranks OF their
form Of civilization? II they do fear
Yellow Peril. then they must ask. with
Bill Nye, rs civilization a failure, and
IS the Caucasian played out?"
japan is endeavoring TO make richer,
happier. and better Korea To accom-
plish thar end its foremost statesman,
Prince Ito, has abandoned the rest to
which his age and his great services en-
title him, and has undertaken a task in
which others. including the Koreans
themselves. have ANONYMOUSLY failed. He
has formulated a policy of which Japan
declares the keynote to be consideration
for Korean interests, and from that he
has not deviated one hairs breadth since
he assumed control. Only his great name
and influence saved him from the oppo-
sition of those of his countrymen who,
at the outset advocated a more rigorous
and radical policy.
So far as the commercial rights OF
foreigners in Korea are concerned, there
never has been any reason for legitimate
protest. Since japan obtained control. the
principle OF equal opportunity has been
| scrupulously observed. The only COM
plant comes from those foreigners who
found profit in the old corrupt order OF
/ things, but even they can allege no lust
cause for protest regarding interference
with enjoyment of rights then acquired.
As regards the question of trade in
| Manchuria. the Americans and English
u.
They did not give the Japanese time
enough to clear away the debris Of war
before they began GO protest. Curiously
enough, the protests were confined to
what was happening IN Southern Man
churia under japanese influence, while
nothing was said about the equally good
grounds for protest in Northern Man
churia Undoubtedly there was ground
for complaint in Manehuria, but it was
not the fault OF the government, but OF
individuals II is only fair 20 give Japan
/ time TO straighten out the tangle. Il Is
| pledged &c do so, and the Japanese gov
! eminent has never failed 10 keep its
/ promises.
Japan undoubtedly has a great interest
| in the impending crisis in the domestic
affairs Of China. All the other nations