The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-05-07

New Activities and Policy OF Japan
the Situation of China and the Relation
Problems Involved. BY Thomas f.
Millard. Maps and Illustrations. Pub
lished by Moffat, Yard and Company
The author Of this fine, large volume
has given abundant proof, by his arti-
cles in magazines, and especially by his
famous work, "Thc New Far East,
that he is moro thoroughly conversant
with the questions and problems in
volved than is any other American. He
approaches his task from the standpoint
of an American, and his introduction is
| so apt and so perfectly descriptive of
! the tone Of his work, that we copy the
! following from 1T:
Since the publication In March, 1906,
| OF The New Far East" / have again
| twice visited the regions included in the
! scope OF the Far Eastern question, and
have further observed and studied condi-
tions there. The present work takes up
the situation where my previous book
quilted 1t, brings IL forward. extends its
prospect, and criticizes some results
which have become apparent
have avoided extensive use Of sta
tistlcs, and when any views and con-
clusions are based upon them l have eX-
ercised by own Judgment IN accepting or
rejecting figures presented by govern
ments and individuals. In the East IN
perhaps d greater degree than elsewhere
statistics often are prepared to sustain
an hypothesis. This is especially true. at
the present time, OF some statistics which
relate to the economic and fiscal situation
OF Japan.
l expect that some persons will profess
TO find in this. as many did of my pre-
menl, This 1t is not in the sense + that a
desire TO injurc Japan is among its oh
jects;; L wish the Japanese nation and
tend to cause international disscnsion and
strife by impairing interests OF other ma
lions. That the present policy Of Japan
reached after closely observing its trend
for several years. and from studying its
practical effects in localities where it is
opinion, I Express it without hesitation,
and endeavor TO present facts and con-
dttions upon. which IT is founded; TO
the activities Of modern Japan / dwell
on unfayorable phases, and ignore favor
able ones. ! win say that il is with the
that this discussion attempts TO deal. and
that admirable traits OF Japanese char
acter are not often mentioned does not
mean that ! am ignorant of them. These
characteristics are in Il large sense COM
mon to all peoples, and II Is only by
possessing them TO considerable de-
thas Wde hn Pe2pe e makf s
aspects Of Japan have been presented by
thousand writers, and are kept before
the world by an organized publicity with
which no individual can compete. In
juXtaposition with what l consider to be
disturbing and probably unattainable am
bitions OF militant Japanese statesmen,
! have tried to show cOunterhalancinS
interests and forces which are involved.
To the extent that have approached
the subject especially from the point of
OF America, and in this only, the discus
sion is partisan; and this will l hope, be
excused when it is remembered how lit
tie American interests are considered in
The extensive literature OF this question.
While | hope that the book will have
some effect upon the solution Of problems
which are reviewed, by bringing To bear
upon them enlightened public opinion and
advanced craftsmanship In America and
elsewhere, 1 have not had effect only in
mind when writing it. ..
The philosophical problem involved
in the discussion OF the vastly important
results of the war between Japan and
Russia is often lost sight of in the dis
extent lost sight Of in this book. and
still the author gives evidence from
time TO time of his appreciation of the
practical and philosophical principles in
volved The root Of the matter may
fairly be stated something like this.
That those who fight for a thing and
win it in victorious battles are pretty
apt to hold on to what they gain. Those
who stand by, taking 10 part in the
battle, and who think that the victories
of peace are just as good as the vic
tories of war, may continue in their
way Of thinking; but those who have
won by war pay little attention to the
claims of those who have done nothing
TO advance those claims. Japan and
Russia engaged in war for the purpose
OF testing which should have the pre-
dominant influence and trade in Man
churia and Korea. Russia was in oc-
cupancy of Manchuria and was rapidly
gaining the ascendcncv in Korea at the
time of the outbreak of that war. The
success Of Japan in that war turned
plete control of Korea and the occu-
pancy Of Southern Manchuria. Russia
retaining the northern part Of that prov
lnce. The peace treaty recognized the
suzeralnty Of China to the whole of
Manchuria but left Japan and Russia
IN occupancy Of the regions that had
been invaded in the war. Russia was
driven northward to Chang g-chun (Kuan-
and retains the railroad from
lfharbin TO that point. Japan occupies
all below. Although simultaneous eyac-
uation of Manchuria was provided for i'm
the treaty Of Portsmouth, there is no
sign and appears to he no disposition
on the part either of Japan or of Rus
STA TO evacuatc at all, China, to be
sure, is making a valiant demonstra-
ton towards the realization of her SOW
ereignty and authority throughout Man
churia. but thus far without much sue.
cess. Theoretically. however, the whole
province is Chinese. but China has not
had much opportunity to exercise any
sovereignty since the first invasion OF
the province by Rnssia
The complaint that has been made
with respect 10 this occupancy is that
in Southern Manchuria, Japan is ad
Vanclng her owr political and CONNER
cial interests 10 the exclusion Of other
peoples. This is claimed TO he Il viola !
ton of the pledged open door Bnt
since Japan s fight was for commercial. |
as well rs political, supremacy. and since
nations that arc now clamorinp for The
open door bad no part in that figbi
but stood hy calmly and saw Japan
win. they are. in fact in no position TO
interfere with Japan $ reapfug the bcnc I
1T Of her triumph. Japan considers
her commercial interests lust rs inport
Sd II