The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-08-06

To anyone familiar with the pre-
sent trend of thought in Japan there
is no doubt that the Empire aims at
commercial and political supremacy
in the Far East, says a correspond
ent of the Philadelphia Public Led
ger. Japan cannot, of course, be
blamed for cherishing so vast an am
bition The only question is whether
she can effectively achieve it with
out menace to the interests of other
nations The danger is that she may
identify her right to entertain the
ambition with the right to attain it
without reference to the results on
others.
There is no doubt that the Japan
csc feel themselves both by right
and qualification entitled to rule the
destinies of East Asia; and with this
there may naturally go the conviction
that il this should be at the expense
of others, wei, it is only what they
must expect What right have other
nations to insist on a share of the
Far East, anyway? The average Jap
anese feels that the Western Powers
have no more right to Interfere in
Far Eastern affairs than Japan has
to NEEDLE in the affairs of Europe or
America.
1t is easy to see that the logical
conclusion of such an attitude is di-
vergeuce of opinion from Occidental
policy. 1t is, in fact, an attitude po-
tential of endless difficulty. viii
Western nations be willing to con-
oede to Japan the same position in
the Far East that America holds on
the North American continent? For
it must not be forgotten the feeling
in Japan i" somewhat on a line with
the Monroe Doctrine, only Japan has
not yet done more than proclaim her
self a first-class Power, and on a
par with any of the other great
Powers.
1t is apparent that Japan's suprem-
acy in the Far East could not be
well achieved and made permanent
without the sympathy, and perhaps
the practical assistance of the races
of the Orient. How far she can de-
pend on this is an important ques-
tion. But she herself probably has
not much doubt. I have heard Japan
csc say that once the millions of
China were awakened into alliance
with Japan for purposes of defeat
they could not be defeated. China's
present sympathy with The Occident-
al Powers is regarded as no more
than an attempt to play them over
against Japan; but once these
Powers show themselves against Chi
ma she will not hesitate to go into
league with Japan to rid the Orient
of white domination.
in India and Siam. Every possible
effort is put forth to strengthen the
existing relations and foster further
intimacy and regard The Indo-Ja,
pan association was organized with
that special object in view Special
facilities are offered to Indian and 81
amese students to enter Japanese
colleges, and. quite a number of stu
dents are now enrolled in these in,
situations, Both in religion and race
Japanese feel a strong affinity
for the Indians and Siamese
One of Japan's leading statesmen
Count Okuma, now president of the
Indo-Japan Association, said some
time ago that the millions under op,
preston in India were looking to
Japan for sympathy and help. No
thing is left undone to promote trade
with India. Heavily subsidized ships
of Japan carry Indian cotton to Jap
anese mills and return it manufactur
ed cheaper than it can be produced
in India. Japanese Consuls in India
keep the country posted about every
thing that goes on. If an Indian
merchant ahas the least suggestion t.
make as to japanese goods shippej
to India the matter is at once brought