The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-07
JAPAN NEEDS MONEY.
Must Obtain II OF Lose Her Power
says Editor.

The Japanese demands upon China
are the result OF Japan's imperative
need OF money. In the opinion OF an
American. George Bronson Rea, editor OF
the Far Eastern Reriep OF Shanghai
and Manila, commercial newspaper
conducted for the benefit OF merchants
of all nations In the Orient Naturally
Mr.. Rea. who is now IN New York.
does not take sides,
II have no concern with the rights
and wrongs OF the situation Mr.. Rea
explained yesterday. except as they
may concern my own country, ] be-
lieve. however. that the facts with
which am familiar do greatly con-
Germ the United States. although this
seems not to have been recognized here.
Japan Is a military nation. ma
ton ruled by a small class OF imperially
minded men. The country II in serious
financial straits In this way: II the
ruling class's programme is to be car
red out money must be found for IL
somewhere outside the empire, and
found in abundance.
with Japan II Is q case Of getting
plenty OF money quickly or going out
OF business as a world Power OF course
Japanese statesmen have no intention
81 letting the empire recede an inch from
the important rank she attained by her
victories In the war with Russia.
1.-THE national debt is large and the
heavy taxes are swallowed up by i-ter-
est charges The Government OF Japan
has pledged everything It has as coll
lateral for large loans. II controls the
railroads. the telegraphs and telephones:
me Government owns monopolies Of
salt tobacco and camphor. There is no
important natural resource Of the EN-
pire that the Government has not al
ready raked for profits.
Japan has gone so Tar as 10 take
municipal moneys for national purposes
The bonds Of Toxic. osaka. Kobe and
other principal cities have been sold in
Europe but most OF the money went
into the imperial treasury.
what is the empire to do? IL must
have money for more warships, for the
army, 10 meet its heavy obligations. II
has nothing left TO put up as collateral
" must obtain the money outside the
empire. Where" There Is only ono
place China abounds in undeveloped
natural wealth. In spite or the Euro
pean war honest financing by the Chi
nese republic has put China very nearly
on her feet. Given year or two more
and she would be financially safe and
sound and in n position to protect her
self from outside aggression to an ex-
tent she has never been able TO in the
past
such an eventuality Japan cannot
contemplate with equanimity. She has
the leading role in the Far East and
cannot allow another country TO wax
strong and compete with her for the
hegemony OF the East Besides, China
possesses all those rich natural resources
on which money, much money. can be
raised.
Nov In the time. European nations
are engaged In a war at home. The
United States Is paying little heed; Is
unooncerned, To wait year would give
China a chance TO get on her feet.
Therefore the japanese denands are
made upon China at this time, and they
will be pressed to a decision. am
confident that Japan will now 20 ahead.
no matter what the cost.
How does this concern tho United
States? Well. we with the European
nations are the guarantors OF China's
integrity. and the dominance OF Japan In
China viii naturally not assist our COM
mercial interests in China. That Is all
that lies on the surface OF things; be-
meath the surface there Is much more.
or these obscurer matters will not
speak at this time. i will merely say
this:
"At the time Of the trouble over the
japanese land question in California
there IL some reason to believe that
Great Britain used her good offices a,
. Toxic TO help smooth out matters with
Washington. At that time Great Britain
was extremely concerned to obtain the
repeal OF the Panama Canal tolls act
BY President Wilson's efforts the Pan.
anna tolls measure was repealed. The
California difficulties were allowed To
subside in a sea OF diplomatic negotia-
tons.
What would be tho emotions Of the
American people II they were assured
on unmistakable authority that the re-
. peal OF the Panama tolls act was the
. price of Great Britains influence over
her ally, Japan-was. In short, tho price
OF peace In California;
yyDTL,C TADAAT no WEI n