Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-22

mooted. Inquiries were made and the
Japanese government. following it's usual
policy, sent agents to investigate the cli-
matte and other conditions under which
its subjects would have to work and live
If they came to Bolivia. Notwithstanding
the altitude the conclusion was reached
that the japanese coolies were suitable
for the railway construction A COLON
ization agency in Toxic was ready to sup
ply 5000 OF them, the number needed by
the railway contractors.
Japan at this point raised a question
The government had no objection to the
japanese coolies building the Bolivian
railways, but before this was entered
upon 1t wanted treaty with Bolivia
similar to the treaties with Chile and
Peru. This treaty might or might not
give permanence to the presence OF the
Japanese in Bolivia. but it was some
thing that the Japanese government
thought essential
r
Bolivia after consideration and after
some public and some private discussion
decided that there was no need of
treaty. and that If the railway contrac-
tors exerted themselves they most likely
would find the native Bolivian labor ade
quate for their purposes. The contractors
did find 1t adequate.
Colombia after the canal is opened will
u L
bean frontage to Japan. On the Pacific
coast the entrance will be through the
port OF Buenaventura. Buenaventura is
the gateway to the sugar plantations OF
the Cauca valley. and the Japanese are
peculiarly suitable for labor ola sugar
plantations. as has been shown in Ha-
wall
On the Caribbean frontage the Magda
lena and the Atrato rivers would be the
gateway. Their courses are through re-
gions of tropical agriculture which are
practically unexpected.
subsidized steamship line now plies
between Japan and the west coast ports
1t is known as the Togo kisen Kaisha.
Some coal is brought out along with
small quantities of silks and other Japa-
nese merchandise The bulk of the return
cargoes is composed Of Chilean nitrates.
These steamers also carry immigrants.
but the number has been at no time
large, because since the line was inaugu-
rated there has been no pronounced i'm
migration movement to the west coast of
South America. The steamship line is
chiefly important to Japan in maintain
ing direct communication with a large
section of South America and In sustain
ing the prestige Of Japan as q maritime
power.
The attitude of the Japanese govern
ment in everything that relates to the
settlement of Japanese in the west coast
country has been both firm and astute.
No effort has been made to force the
Japanese immigration, but at the same
time the intention has been manifest TO
keep these countries open with a view to
future possibilities Treaty rights for
Japanese subjects are insisted upon and
any tnfraction Of their observance Ia
carefully watched. Sources Of irritation
are not encouraged and the effort is to
avoid friction.
It may be said that in a general way
the japanese policy il to have a certain
number of japanese subjects. not a large
one, in the west coast countries, just as
in Mexico and Central America Their
presence serves the purpose Of securing
recognition of Japans position as a ma
ton and as the leading power Of the
orient. So long as colonization on q large
scale IL not sought the matter of an Ash
attic Monroe doctrine is not likely to be-
come acute. whether 1t be proposed as
something requiring the cooperation OF
the United States or simply as South
American policy to be agreed upon by
the South American countries themselves
The latter possibility Is very nebulous.
CHARLES NJ. PEPPER.