New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-16
TIE ANTUyG RAILROAD DISPUTE.

The latest phases of the dispute between
China and Japan over the rebuilding of the
railroad from Antung to Moukden suggest the
probability that there is something TO be said
in favor Of each side. 1t is impossible TO with
hold sympathy from Japan's desire TO have the
road promptly made of standard gauge, that
it may he efficient part of the general rail-
road system of Eastern Asia. IL. as Is con-
fidently asserted, the treaty of 1905 authorizes
Japan herself To do that work, IL is difficult 10
see how valid objection is TO be made TO her
doing il. Japan also represents that the
Chinese government has been dilatory and
procrastinating in its negotiations on this and
other matters. which may be so and which II
So might warrant Japan in proceeding 10 sum
mary action. Nor can we see much convincing
force in China's complaint that Japan is aim
ing at strategic rather than commercial use
of the road. We pointed ont the other day the
vast strategic value Of the road 10 Japan, and
we have no doubt that that consideration is
very potent, If not paramount. with her. But.
Of course China should have thought OF that
before she assented 10 Japans improvement of
the road. Moreover, there is no doubt that the
road viii be and that Japan expects II TO be or
great commercial value. A glance at the map
suggests what it means TO Japan and 10 COrea
commercially TO have Fusan instead Of TaIren
the Pacific terminus Of the trans-Asan trunk
line
ON the other hand must sympathlze with
China's reluctance 10 have Manchuria thus in
creasingy and, as II seems, permanently sub
jected 10 flien influence and even control. She
has, for some time been struggling 10 get rid of
the Russian incubus north Of Moukden. and
has invoked-and In "A measure receiyed-the
aid of other powers In so doing. Certainly she
is equally TO be justified in resisting undue
japanese dominance at the south Of Moukden.
And If Il be said that II was her own fault
that those two powers were permitted 20 get
such a foothold there, the obvious answer is
that that was done under tie old regime. the
evil works OF which the new order Of govern
ment in China is striving to undo 1t would
be generous and a not Improbable thing for
Russia and Japan both 20 recognize that fact,
and not TO hold the reformed and progressive
China too closely To the letter Of bargains
which were made with or which were exacted
or extorted from the old corrupt and supine
China.
Nor must we overlook the complaint Of China
that Japan has already gone and purposes
much further 10 go beyond the terms OF the
treaty Of 1900 If that is true, it gives much
additional force 10 China's protest against
Japans action We may believe that as we
said the other day, the rebuilding Of this rail-
road VIII be "A good thing for China and for
Russia as well as for Japan and COrea. But
IL is one thing TO rebuild the road as part of a
great international trunk line. and Il would be
another and very different thing to garrison
ii with japanese troops or police and thus
practically make IL japanese inperium in the
Chinese inpcriO. Against this latter arrange
ment China would be warranted In contendng
earnestly, and i'm so doing she would probably
command at least the sympathy, If not the more
active aid, Of all powers which are interested
in the maintenance OF an open door and equal
privileges i'm OF the most important prov
inces Of the Chinese Empire.