The Washington times., 1909-08-15
JAPAN'S ACTIVITIES
ALARMING TO CHINA
Celestial Empire Looks to United States for Aid.
Chang Yin Tang Succeeds DR.. WI in Order to
Increase Close" Relations.
BY JOHN SNURE.

In China there is alarm and apprehen-
sion over the activities of Japan. This
is made clear by the Chinese appeal TO
the world against Japan made two or
three days ago, in which it is declared
Japan is trying TO secure in Manchuria,
little by little, new rights not specified
in existing treaties. Naturally, China
is leaving no stone untDTned TO get sup
port. Many Of her statesmen fear that
Japan's aggressiveness VIII not end with
the gradual perfection Of her control H.
Manciuria.
The United States has done much FOR
China on many occasions. But there is
one direction in which the United States
is backward and timOTous about inter
rectiOn of Japan. The United States
heSitateS to use any strong means TO
block Japaa'S designs in Manchuria. In
the matter Of construction OF the An
tung-MulSden railroad, the United
states did nothing that amounted 10
anything to prevent the carrying out Of
Japanese designs, despite the represen-
tatiOnS made by China as to the inluS-
tice of what Japan meditated, II was
not in position to do anything. in fact
without going to grave lengths, fraught
with extreme danger, though there is no
reason 10 believe the State Depart
ment Is blind to japanese encroach-
me2ts on Manchuria. Undoubtedly,
the Chinese Government hopes that the
United states would be able 10 do some
thing TO block the course of Japan in
the matter of the railroad and the fact
II did not ~ quite generally looked on
is one Of the things contributing to the
shake-up in The legation.
Japsn's Strategic Position.
Japan is in d most excellent strategic
position With Great Britain threaten
ed as the English believe, by Germany,
the British are anxious TO continue the
alliance with Japan. Japan is not so
anxious TO continue it, as she can make
terms at any time with Germany or
with Russia which would be more vaIu-
able than TIE British alliance. At least,
that is the dea held out from the Jap
anese direction. The result is, Britain
backs Japan firmly. China is helpless.
md the United States is not willing to
90 TO lengths sufficient 10 force Japan 10
respect the open door for the reason
ti-cf this country has enough other
CON plicatOns TO settle with Japan to
strain the friendship of the two nations
n1lcSs there is the utmost diplomatic
care. Among these complications is the
Immigration question which may fare
up al any time.
China would like an alliance with this
! country, but, failing in this as is in
evitable. she wants the utmost possible
/ support from this direction. It will be
/ the mission of Chang TO get this. IL Is
sometimes supposed that the new gov
ernment of China under the prince re
gent is TeactlOnary. This is not the case.
/ IL is thoroughly progressive and Chang
Is one OF tbs foremost Of DrOgTesstVeS.
The depOsal of Yuan Shin Kai. which
was widely heTalded as the downfall
of DrOgressiyeism in China was wrong
/ ly interpreted. He had to 90 for rea-
sons personal to himself and the prince
regent who hates Yuan because the En-
peror before him had a feud with Yuan,
though he continued him i'm power. The
fact Is the former Emperor decreed the
death Of Yuan, but withheld il and in
depOSiug Yuan the new ruler merely
carried out the wish of his predecessor.
! The present government is not only
progressive, but is thoroughly alive to
the need Of protecting itself from out
side aggression. Under the circum-
stances. the mission of Chang is un-
dertalJen AT a time peculiarly interest
ing and its importance cannot well be
exaggerated.