The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-05-28
P()FIC1| Comment. !
The CrIais I'm the East.

The Crisis in the East.
By reason of its territorial position
In the Pacific region the United States
is certain hereafter to note closely
what is going on in Eastern Asia, the
most densely populated part of the
world, and one with which we have
large and growing commercial inter
ests. In more than one respect criti-
cal international situation exists there
now. Japan is in financial straits, and
the Chinese guilds, which extend
throughout the empire. have begun a
boycott against business in any form
with the japanese. When the Chinese
recently. in their own waters, seized a
japanese merchant ship on a charge
ammunition for Chinese rebels, the
action of Japan was prompt and threat
ening. and the Chinese authorities, I'M
der naval menace, were required TO
pay for the munitions taken, punish the
officer who directed the seizure, and
salute the japanese flag. As the Chi
nese have practically little army and
no navy, their resentment over Japan's
quicl, show of the mailed hand has
taken the boycott form. The Chinese
have organized what they peculiarly
call a National Disgrace Association,
and propose to keep it up until they
feel that their sense of national honor
has been INDICATED by making Japan
pay a dollar for every cent it collected
in indemnity.
The chief Chinese import from japan
is coal. and steps have been taken TO
get this commodity from other coun-
tries and from newly opened mines in
China. In the boycott mechanics as
well as business firms have joined, and
it is clear that, commercially, a state
of hdstilities already exists. japanese
merchant ships are ignored in Chinese
ports and the movement has spread
rapidly. In the boycott the Chinese
guilds take the lead, but the govern
ment is understood to look on with
secret approval. China's unarmed con-
dition is far from being an argument
for peace. or its safeguard. The old
empire is bullied by a smaller power
and retaliation is turned over to the
business organizations. This policy is
q general arrangement of trade and a
source of heavy loss TO the nation put
under ban. 1t j. Irritating as well
as damaging. Japan and China are
now more at enmity than they have
been for years, but Japan alone is pre-
pared to set an army and navy in mo-
ton, and in this direction many inter-
national restraints are to be consid-
cred. There is bad blood between the
tyTo largest countries of the Orient, and
he outcome is obscure.
Japan. which has spread out so
much i'm its national scheme in the
last five years, r. facing a big deficit
I'm its budget. 1t needs at once loan
of 10000. 600 yen, but is at loss where
10 turn for it. If England cannot
serve it in such an emergency it is hard
10 see WHY there SHOuiu bt al dlIlduCe
with that nation, including an obliga-
ton. in certain contingencies, TO help
England fight in India. British did,
lomacy in the Far East in late years
has not worked out as was expected.
The alliance with Japan is problem
and q burden. II one Of the thoughts
back OF it was to overshadow the Uni
ted States in the Pacific. the plan has
miscarried completely. We can take
care of ourselves in that ocean, fact
quickly recognized by Japan in the
ready consent it has just given TO an
arbitration treaty. The main issue in
the japanese parliamentary elections
this week, is the financial crisis, and
the ballots will probably show that
Japan's expansive movements have
caused an immense amount of domestic
discontent.-St. Louis Globe-Democrat.