New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-07
Japan's Ultimatum to China.

Only one fact stands out clearly in the
diplomatic controversy between Japan and
China which the former power now seeks
to terminate by threatening a resort to
force. That fact is that Japan is taking
advantage of the situation in Europe to
press demands on China which would GER
tainly not be pressed if the hands of
Great Britain, France, Russia and Ger
many were not tied by the preoccupations
of the Great War.
Japan aspires to be the dominant power
in the Far East and to establish a COM
mercial, if not a political, suzerainty over
peaceful, inert, undeveloped China. In
seeking special advantages and privileges |
in Chinese territory the japanese are only
following the example Of the European
nations. The powers Of Europe were fore
handed in establishing themselves while
China was still political No Mans Land
an easy prey to foreign incursions.
japan came into the competition late, but
has pursued the policy of absorption
keenly and resolutely. She has acquired
Formosa, annexed Korea, expelled Russia
from the Liao-Tung peninsula, developed
a sphere of influence in Manchuria and
Eastern Mongolia and taken the Using
tau concession away from Germany. /
There can be no question that she is bent
on extending her influence and opportuni-
ties in China, or that she will go as far
in that direction as Chinese passivity and
the non-interference Of the United States
and the European powers will allow.
No effective resistance to Japanese !
aggression is to be expected from the
chinese Republic itself. The Chinese gov
eminent, although facing for two or three
generations the peril Of foreign invasion,
has never taught the people the duty of
self-defence. 1t has neglected to develop
either a feeling of patriotism or a sense
of danger. The great mass Of the Chi
nese will accept foreign rule submissively.
They have no national spirit and their
ignorance of their own strength is so
great that they cannot even grasp the
irony of the spectacle of little nation
like Japan, with 100000 inhabitants,
domineering over a big nation like their
own, Of 4OO,OOO,OOO inhabitants. 1t is
much as If the United States should let
itself be dragooned and dictated TO by
Mexico or Canada.
The only serious obstacle to japanese
penetration in China is the possible non
Icomplaisance of other interested powers.
Japan pledged herself in the treaty of
alliance with Great Britain "to recognize
the independence and territorial integrity
of China" She also accepted the Open
Door programme formulated by Secretary
Hay. The question now at issue is whether
the demands made on the Chinese govern
ment violate those diplomatic engage
ments. Japan and China have given out
different versions of the demands, and
most comment on the extent of japanese
aggression has been based on a draft is
sued in Picking which Toxic declares to
be inaccurate.
japanese diplomacy is astute, and even
if the Chinese version Of the demands is
correct there might still be room for a
contention on Japan's part that they do
not affect the independence and terri
torial integrity Of China and do not slam
the Open Door in the faces of the treaty
nations. SO far as concerns the articles
which refer to Manchuria, Shangtung
and Tsingtau-all now within Japan's rec
ognized sphere of infuence"--Other ma
tions can find little ground Of offence. And
it is, perhaps, the spirit rather than the
letter of the broader demands, affecting
the whole of China, which outside powers
will consider repugnant 10 the common
understanding that China is TO have a
fair opportunity TO develop into an indie
pendent modern state.
The other world powers may not be
greatly concerned if China and Japan can
reach an agreement which. while satisfy
ing Japan, will not impair Chinese SOW
ereignty. But any attempt on Japan's
part to impose terms by war and 10 make
that war an occasion for further spoliation
Of China would undoubtedly be resented
! by the United States, Great Britain. Rus