The Washington times., 1914-12-26
JAPAN AS A SYMBOL

For a long time, even before the
beginning Of the Great War, it has
been apparent that the masses Of
Japanese people were not pleased
with maintaining at fearful sacrifice
the great army of that country. They
are a patriotic and willing people,
but the burden has become almost
unbearable.
Emperor Yoshihito has not dis
solved the popular branch Of the
Japanese congress because it reject
ed by rather an emphatic vote the
proposals Of the government for an
increase of the army and an addi-
ton of about $4,000 men to the force
maintained in Korea. A demand for
funds to strengthen the navy was
voted by bare majority Of seven;
but the count on the army expansion
proposal showed sixty-five majority
against it.
Japan, in thus, though in the midst
of war, declining to increase war ap-
preparations, gives sign of what
We may expect to see in other coun-
tries before the end. Japan is the
first to rebel, probably because it is
economically least able of all the
warning countries to stand the
strain. It has little chance to in
crease national prestige by reason of
the present war; none at all TO COM
pei the payment of a great indem-
nifty from any other nation. The al
lance, at least the cooperation, with
Russia, is not yet popular in Japan,
though In Europe it is commonly
looked upon as peculiarly logical and
calculated to strengthen the hand of
both countries in the east. Indeed,
rhe prospect that Japan, Britain, and
Russia, if they win in the present
contest, will divide domination of
Asia's destinies for the next cen
fury has not been pleasing to a good
many people even in Britain, who
fear that the combination of Japan
and Russia will in the end become
The controlling interest.
But no matter for that; Japan has
lot found the entente with Russia
popular thus far; and the talk about
sending japanese army corps to the
west has not touched popular
chord.
The representative chamber of
Japan being prorogued, there must
be new election, which is expected
20 take place in March. Meantime
legislative business is suspended.
The japanese anticipate a red-hot
campaign; q campaign on which re-
suit the political tendencies of the
empire for long time are likely to
depend IN considerable degree. Eco
nomic radicalism is getting intense
IN Japan; more so than the western
world quite understands, If we may
believe travellers and residents who
nave lately reported on current con-
ditions.
The crisis IL Japan is q symptom.
Austria has been confronting some
thing closely resembling a crisis for
some weeks. Hungary in revolt may
De expected as a feature Of the
var if it shall last another year and
il Austria shall continue to bear so
large share Of its misfortunes as
II has taken thus far. For Russia,
there must and will surely come, as
4 result of the struggle, a series of
concessions TO more liberal views;
+ not freely granted, then the peo-
pie, awakened to a new understand
ing Of what this modern world is
about, will eXtort them from the rul-
ing classes. Nobody dare guess
what the great Slav people will do
when once they get control of their
own destinies; but they will occupy
The center. Of the worlds stage, and
their development will be wonder
fully rapid.
As 10 Germany, it will sooner or
latsr display some Of the same de-
termination in protest against mill
tarism that has been shown in
Tokyo. The time is not yet, for the