Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-01
HOW ABOUT IAPAN?--VI.
BY FREDERIC J. HAsKIN

/ as China had yielded TO Japan'R wishes
In the negotiations
China replied to Japans revived de-
mands. yielding all thai she we'll could.
ana little more. Chlna's position
was particularly unpleaEant becauae
even IL she herself we're willing to
be swallowed by her small and pug
nacious neighbor-which she enphat-
cally WAS not--shc knew that The other
powers would object vigorously as soon
as they had a hand free 10 object with.
In other words. the unpleasant pro-
cess Of submitting 10 Japan would be
followed by the still more unpleasant
process of being called 10 account by
Europe for having submitted So China
refused to yield those points in tho
Japanese demands which would have
infringed TOO hagran'ly on the rights
of other nations. Japan sent an ulti-
matum
ON receipt of the u!,imatur,. China
gave in. She had no other possible
course. Her government was newly
set M and precarious!y balanced. her
military and naval power negligible in
spite Of the fact tina, the number of
men NJ for military service in China
is greater than the entire population
Of Japan. The twenty-one demands
came at peculiarly inopportune time
Tor The Chinese government. They did
irreparable damage TO its prestige
among the people. just as II was be-
ginning TO get on its feet and we'll
started toward restoring peace and
order In the empire Japans demands
set back China's progress towards
strength and unity by years. perhaps
By decades. 1T is quite possible that
this was one Of the objects Japan had
in mind. II is not inconce!vable that
strong and progressive empire many
times her own size and wealth for a
nex'-door neiehbor is no part OF
Japans program
Forced Her Demands Down.
Whatever the Machiave!lian motives
and diplomatic complexities interviewer
in the situation. the fact remains that
Japan forced her demands down China's
throat at the point OF an u!timatum
The most violent anti-Japanese par
tisan must pay the tribute Of GER
tain admiration 10 Japan's daring poll
Icy. II not TO her principles. She con-
summated the boldest and most un-
scrupulous comp detat OF modern
times In the face Of the interests
and desires OF the whole civilized world,
a little island empire bur ffty wears
emerged from medievalism, staEger-
inS under the burden OF colossal
national debt. with credit rapidly
diminishing with the burden Of mill
tarism breaking the backs of her peo-
pie. recklessly invaded the vested
rights of the worlds greatest mowers.
or huge helpless empire, met pro-
tests by denial or calmly ignored them
and carried her program through.
Now Japan's attitude is one Of: What
are you going 10 do about it,"
The other powers may yet follow
Japans example and disregard those
principles; they may 20 back to the
ola sphere Of Influence doctrine and
take their profits at Ch;na's EXPENSE.
There is no likelihood that Japan will
stand in Ensland's way, or Russia's
way England and Japan are allies,
kasso Japanese alliance is expected
to be made public at any minute. The
interests OF the United States will he
the ones to suffer, by far the most
seriously Our policy will he over
ridden, our principles mocked. and our
commercial and industrial rights cast
carelessly aside.
In spite Of all this. Japan only waited
until the hands OF Europe we're tied
before acgressinc on China She
waited until only the United States
was free 10 protect the doctrine of
equal rights. Then she went ahead.
The end of the chapter has still to
be written. This is no matter of his
tory; 1t is still molten, living, UNI
settled. Europe is still at war, with
her word in the Orient still to be said.
The peace treaties have yet to be
drafted. Meanwhile, Japan has gained
me advantage of position in the
Chinese chess game. Meanwhile, our
notes of protest still lie in some pigeon
hole in Peking and in Tokyo China
herself is still dealing with revolt and
anarchy, which may at any moment
furnish preteSt for fresh aggressons.
The situation is frauGht with hum
dred possibilities. Americans should
remember--what they seem prone to
foreet--that for our nation the most
vital issue in the world struggle is not
the fate Of Belgium, or of Serbia, or
Poland 1t is the fate of China