The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-06

half a century from feudalism; 1t Is
at this critical time that an ambitious
and powerful nelghbor. without warn
ing and in a manner considered a con.
of correct diplomatic pro
ccdure, thrusts upon China this series
of demands, which involve her indie
pendence and sovereignty.
1t looks susplciously like the initial
step Japan took to preserve the In
tegrlty OF Corea," which eventually
resulted in making the hermit king.
dom an integral part of Japan. 1t Is
very difficult to reconcile these amaz-
ing demands. nienacing as they do the
administrative and territorial integ.
rity of friendly nation in time Of
peace, with the official assurances OF
Japan when she Joined Great Britain
to expel the Germans from Shantung.
As you Will remember, Count
Okuma cabled the following message
to the Independent last August:
CAS- Premier Of Japan l have stated
and now again | state to the people
of America and of tho world that
Japan has no Interior motive. no de-
STU W StCuTt InbEt Hb
thought OF depriving China or other
peoples Of anything they now pos
sess. My Government and my peo-
pie have given their word and their
pledge. which will be as honorably
kept as Japan keeps promises"
In commenting on this declaration
the Far Eastern Reptcio says: '1n
all probability Count Okuma was anx-
ious to reassure the world in regard 70
Japan's designs and meant to carry
out his promises to the letter. I'm
happily it is the war party, headed
by Prince Yamagata, that is the ulti-
mate court of appeal in Japan. Count
Okuma. a civilian, may give what
promises and assurances may seem
good to him and II they assist the
war yarty's plans they are regarded
with benignity."
Japanese Troops In China.
II Japan wishes the world to have
any faith in these beautiful assur-
ances that she has no desire to de-
prive China or any other nation OF
anything they now possess why this
great haste and secrecy in demanding
exclusive privileges In Mongolia
Manchuria. Shantung and Fukien or
terms that amount to suzerainty ovel
these parts of the domain of China
II sincere in her expressed desire I,
preserve the integrity Of China VIII,
this manifest violation of neutralit,
by sending two divisions of her arm,
into Shantung and Manchuria anC
two squadrons ready to enter Chimes,
waters, ostensibly for the relief OF hei
garrisons in those sections? Why ha.
she sent over 1900 troops with full
equipment OF field guns and quicl
iirers to tho inland city Of Chinanfu
the capital OF Shantung. where here
tofore she has never had any guar,
and where there is absolutely no sigi
of any trouble?
Why could not all outstandin,
questions be referred to the great con
vention of the Powers that must fol
low the close OF the European war 1
Japan is acting in accordance will
the wishes OF her great ally? Doe
not this haste In forcing a settlement
under the threat of a great militar,
demonstration suggest at least a sus
picion that Japan is seeking advan
tages for herself at this critical tim
when other nations are in no position
to interfere? Her demands could no
have been much more severe II mad
at the close Of n victorious war. The.
are greater than Germany made o,
France after the war OF 1870. The.
are many times greater than tn
causes that deluged Europe in tn
present war. And It cannot he to
much emphasized that the demand
are all for the benefit OF Japan WIT
no corresponding advantages offere
TO China-or any other nation.
The lofty. altruistic sentiments pub
lished by Japan as her motive in con
nection with the European wa
namely ito preserve the peace OF TN
East" and "to maintain the integr.t
OF China" require large amount c
! credulity to have them accepted a
their face value in view of her pres
I ent actions. ITO preserve the integrit
! OF China" in form, while impos n
conditions that would reduce the ma
/ ton to the position of vassal. recall
medieval diplomacy, when languag
was used To, conceal motives. rathe
/ than the diplomacy of modern time
! The present action of Japan Is a me
mentous instance of might tramplin
over right. China is weak from
military point of view. because sh
has always been an advocate
peace: the military calling here ha
been the least honored among pre-
fessions. 4 Japanese official of hig
standing recently said IN an intervie
with n friend that Japan gained ht
present prominence among the na
tons by her military prowess and b
feared she was now pursuing III
same spirit OF militarism that hs
brought such untold calamity upo
Germany.
China's Independence Involved.
A study of these demands will cor
vince you that an acceptance OF thel
would involve the independence
China. Japan's reiterated promises
the contrary Notwithstanding. This
the opinion OF the best and most COZ
servative foreign authorities in Chin
The Far Eastern ReUiclp. ably editt
and very well Informed on matters
the Orient, after citing numerous de,
larations NJ prominent Japane'
statesmen on the present situatio
makes the following comment:
-