The Washington times., 1915-12-17
WHAT IS JAPAN's ATTITUDRp

There is going to be a good deal
of mystery about the relation of
Japan to the crisis in China, until
the new monarchical government in
that country gets established or
public opinion so far foTmulates it.
self that it is possible to determine
the course events are likely to take.
The Japanese diplomatic game is a
devious one. 1t is now known be-
yond peradventure that at the time
when Japan was negotiating an alli-
ance with Great Britain, some
twenty years ago, she was also nego-
tiating in the same direction with
Russia; she was willing to play off
Russia against Britain, or Britain
against Russia, according as the
best terms could be made. 1t was
Britain's good fortune and Russia's
misfortune that, as matters fell out,
Britain secured the alliance. But
there is no reason to suspect that
Japan was moved by any sentimental
considerations whatever. She was
looking out for her own bread and
butter, making arrangements pre-
cisely where and as they would serve
her purpose best.
japanese craftsmanship will fol-
low precisely the same policy in re-
gard to China. The opportunity for
which Japan has long awaited, is al
her hand. There is no international
police force available to interiors
with whatever program Japan may
undertake to enforce in China. 1t
is natural, it is inevitable, that
Japan should want to lead and domi-
nate in the development anG modern
ization of China. Japan has as much
right to impose q Monroe doctrine
of her own in the east, as the United
States has to do the same thing in
the New World. There has never
before been a time when Japan
could dare develop such an ambitious
relation as protector of the East
but the time is now auspicious, and
if Japan desires, she will be able to
foment difficulties in China that
will provide pretext for interposi-
tion in whatever manner may be es-
teemed desirable or calculated to
further Japan's concerns in that
quarter.
1t is too early, and information is
too meager, for conclusions as to the
real attitude of the Tokyo govern
ment toward Yuan Shi Kai as EN-
peror. For months past it has been
plain enough that Yuan proposed to
!. make himself Emperor if he dared;
and nobody understood that fact
, better than the Japanese authorities
; If they had wished, they could easily
enough have interposed and made
Yuan's coup impossible. They woulC
have had the sympathy Of the
/ United States. of Britain, of most oi
: the Occidental world, in taking thai
: position. They did not interpose
they allowed Yuan free hand; they
withdrew troops from China, aftel
: once sending them there.
' The republican movement in Chini
; was always regarded cynically b!
: the intellectual leaders of Japan
: They did not believe it could sue
( ceed, and seemingly they were right
) If Japan wants to become a suzerail
. over China, she can do it NOR,
easily by controlling puppet mon
, archy than by taking chances on thu
E domination of a republic. 1t woult
1 be easy enough, if Yuan is willinj
= and if it is possible for him to stan,
=. by any bargain with any benefacto1
Z for him as Emperor and Tokyo a
r his backer, to do as they chos
= with China. That is the simples
v explanation of what may be expect
ed to happen; it is the thing tn
S leaders among Chinese republican
: have long feared. Yet it may prov
n the very thing that will not happer