New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-22


Washington. July 2l.-Evidencc is ac-
cumulating here that the japanese are
taking a leading part boz the revolution
I'm China and giving material support To
the Southerners who have started the
war against Yuan Shih-kai II has not
been proved that the japanese govern
mcnt has actually adopted policy or
supporting the rcvOluuOnlsts. but IN We"
OF the control which the government has
frequently proved itself 10 have over
Japauesc subjects IN these matters. IL Is
believed that the aid being given has al
least the tacit sanction Of the government
I'm Toxic Certain IL is say those familiar
with the Far Eastern situation and win
Japau's way Of doing things, that the
government could prevent its nationals
helping the rebels II IL so desired.
There is reason 10 believe that Japan
may BE- following the same line that
Great Britain has frequently been accused
OF following with the idea Of bringing
about weak and possibly divided China
for purposes Of political ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
and influence. with a consequent favor
abb. place IN the international compet-
ton for trade Japan. however. "ou!d
not want n China 50 weak and broken ~
10 invite European intervention or paru-
ton Of the nation by foreign powers.
That. IL is pointed out would be con-
trsry 20 the interests OF Japan.
one great reason for Japanese paruci-
nation in the revolution would be the pos
sjbllty Of acquisition Il the great Tayeh
iron mines. II is well known here that
..F.F ff "a "a It
diplomacy OF recent years has been TO
obtain possession OF these rich fields Oh
ore.
II is something more than the acquire
mont OF q mere industrial enterprise IL
is Of vital importance 70 Japan's very
future. and japanese statesmen regard II
in this light From the Tayeh mines,
which are in the Hu Peh province, not
far from the Yang-tse River and sew
cntv miles from Hankow. the Japanese
obtain the iron for all their battIeships.
arnnor and munitions OF war From mo-
where can suitable o-c be had so cheapy
or so quickly as from the Tayeh mines.
And in time OF war other sources might
be closed. while the chances are that ac-
cess 10 the Taych mines could always be
had
Accordingly, the japanese are more
than anxious 10 obtain complete control
of the mines. The deposit Of ore there
has been described as one OF the richest
in the world Five hundred million tons
Of fine ore are exposed on the surface;
the mines are now owned by a Chinese
company. but japanese capitalists have
a mortgage OF some 100000 taels on the
property The working OF the mines is
under the control Of japanese. and Jap
anese soldiers have guarded them.
II the new revolution should prove sue
/ cessful the support now being afforded
would prove Of great value to the Jap
anese government and would doubtless
result in preferential treatment In the
matter Of concessions and trade. and il Is
not improbable that the Japanese grip on
the iron mines would be frightened
/ The information which reaches the gov
| eminent here from China indicates that
! the present struggle will be OF long dura-
/ ton Most OF the provinces along the
/ Yang-tse River have seeded already.
! II may prove that Yuan Shih-kai VIII find
| il net hard TO queil the uprisings there,
provinces TO the south the situation pre-
scnts serious difficulties To regain
Kwang- Tung. for instance. would require
campaign OF large proportions, involv-
! ing the sending Of large force by sea.
The same applies 10 several other prov
inces and localities.
4 newspaper report To the effect that
General Chang-Hsun. an oldtimer. had
sent his soldiers into battle against the
rebels is regarded as very encouraging
TO Yuan shh-kafs cause. Up to this time
II has not been known whether Chang
would support Yuan. General Chang
ever since the last revolution has kept
himself and his force OF some eight thou
sand men isolated at place called Hsu
Chow-fu. in the Kiang-su Province.