The Glenwood post., 1908-07-25
Are the
Japanese
A World
Menace?
BY ST. NIHAL SING
Copyright, by Joseph b. Bowles)

tHe nuSSO-Jdpduese Wal lne plcSb Va
Europe and America went into costa
sizes over the prowess Of the Japanese
soldier and the level-headedness and
strategic ability of the officers who en-
gineered the task of graphing with
the Russian army and navy. Enthus-
iastic panegyrics were written re-
garding the sacrifices which the pa
triotic islanders had made to avert
menace to their national existence.
Lavish praise was bestowed on the
wonderful manner in which Japan, in
a brief term of years, had modernized
and prepared itself to whip the occi-
dental with his own weapons.
During the last few months the
tenor of comments has considerably
changed, and in many instances edi-
torial writer's are deploring the fact
that any fuss ever was made about
the achievements of Japan. The peo-
pie have commenced to remark that,
after all is said and considered, the
Japanese are ordinary humans and not
supernatural beings, and the Pacific
coast influx of Japanese immigrants
has created an extensive and inten-
sive alarm, and caused thinkers and
statesmen to pause and consider that
the Japanese aggressiveness, famed
into volcanic activity by the successes
in the Russo-Japan war, constitutes a
menace to the world-at least to the
Pacific coast of North America.
And it is not the occident alone
which is cogitating over the world
menace of Japan. The orient also
is displaying unmistakable signs of
being fearful of the menacing position
and tactics which the island nation
has assumed Of late.
Like the occident, the entire ori-
ent showed unbounded admiration of
Japan's struggle with Russia. To the
orient the issues involved in the
Russo-Japan war meant more than
they did to the western world. The
Asians were enthusiastic and appre-
ciatfve Of Japans proving to the oc-
cident that an Asiatic nation was cap
able of using western methods of
warfare to defeat western people;
and If possible the praise of the
orient was more lavish than that of
the occident. But, as in America and
Europe, the Asian attitude toward
the mikado's subjects has undergone
a great change. Asia has become
fearful of the methods Japan is en-
ploying to secure commercial mar
kets and proclaiming its political
suzerainty in Asiatic countries.
The first shock was occasioned by
the excesses committed by Japan in
Korea. To the entire continent it
was patent that Japan was not assum-
ing the suzerainty of Korea for altru-
istic purposes; the peninsula was to
be rid of the Russian and to be util-
lied by the expanding Nipponese. 1t
was expected by eastern peoples that
the Japanese would make the civiliza-
tion and development of Korea and its
resources mere secondary object;
very few Asiatics had expected that
they would subject the Koreans to the
militarism since forced upon them.
Japan can offer but feeble excuses for
her policy Of self-glorifcation and ex-
pansion and for inaugurating a reign
Of terrorism in Korea.
Her present attitude toward China
and her administration OF Manchuria
unmistakably indicate that the Jap
anese are determined to carry their
operations farther in the continent.
II the Chinese reports are to be re-
lied upon, it is certain that the Jap
in ha ~ hot
tenure Of Manchuria. By practically
monopolizing its trade; by Offering
special facilities to her own merchant
princes and captains Of industry, by
transplanting the petty shopkeepers
and affording profitsble employment In
railroad and government offices to the
Japanese proletariat, etc, they are
paving the way for complete domina-
ton.
Japan's program of expansion, 1t
may be remarked. is much like that
Of England. The island nation Of the
orient appears to be bent the same
way as the island nation of the occi-
lent. England. went to India for trade
purposes. The East-India Company,
purely commercial Organization ~ of
monopolists, finding that the govern
ment Of the day in India was impotent
and that general lawlessness and an
archy prevailed, formed visions of OBJ
tanning the political supremacy of
Hindostan; since the throttling Of the
Indian industries and the control of
the East-Indian markets could then.
by control Of the tariff. be more effec-
lively and easily brought about
When the English went to India It
was the East-Indian gold" that at
tracted them. At that time the coun-
try was industrially prosperous. East
Indian muslins and brass and wood
art work were the furore of France
and England in that day; but with
in few decades the law was so
made and administered by the British