Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-08
How About Japan
BY Frederic Y. Haskin

|phatically was not--she knew that the
other powers would object vigorously
as soon as they had hand free to
object with. In other words, the un-
pleasant process Of submitting to Jap
an would be followed by the still more
unpleasant process Of being called TO
account by Europe for having SUB
mitted. So China refused to yield
those points in the Japanese demands
which would have infringed too nag
rantly on the rights of other nations.
Japan sent an ultimatum.
On receipt Of the ultimatum China
gave in. She had no other possible
course Her government was newly
set up and precariously balanced, her
military and naval power, negligible,
In spite OF the fact that the number
Of men At for military service IN
China is greater than the entire pop
ulation of Japan. The twenty-one de-
mands came at peculiarly inoppor-
tune time for the Chinese government.
They did irreparable damage to its
prestige among the people. just as 1t
was beginning to get on its feet and
we'll started toward restoring peace
and order in the empire. Japan's de-
mands set back China's progress to-
ward strength and unity by years,
! perhaps by decades. 1t Is quite pos
sible that this was one of the objects
Japan had in mind. 1t is not incon-
ceivable that a strong and progressive
, empire many times her own size and
wealth for a next door neighbor Is no
part of Japan's program.
hn A4onhSo
tives and diplomatic complexities In
terwoven in the situation. the fact re-
mains that Japan forced her demands
down China's throat at the point OF
an ultimatum. The most violent anti
Japanese partisan must pay the trib-
ute of certain admiration to Japan's
daring policy if not to her principles.
She contaminated the boldest and
most INSCRIPTIONS coup d. etat OF
| modern times. In the face Of the In.
terests, and desires Of the whole civil,
lied world, little island empire but
J fifty years emerged from medieval.
ism, staggering under the burden OF
a colossal national debt, with credit
rapidly diminishing with the burden
of militarism breaking the backs OF
her people, recklessly invaded the
vested rights of the worlds greatest
powers. strobe roughshod over the
sovereignty Of huge helpless en-
pire, met protests by denial or calmly
ignored them-and carried her pro.
gram through. Now Japan's attitude
Is one of: What are you going to do
about it," ~. ....
OF course. she was assisted by a
state of affairs unprecedented in Euro
pean politics. She chose her time
carefully, and in that choosing there
was small compliment. paid to the
United States of America Japan ap.
parently reasoned that Europe is
busy, and America doesn't count"
In this connection it is interesting
to note the observations of British
military expert, correspondent of the
London Times and probably the best
informed man writing on the military
situation in the Far East. After an
analysis Of Japan's military and naval
power. he comes to the conclusion
that only the military regeneration OF
the United States or China can de-
prive Japan of predominance in the
further orient. ".And to talk to Jap.
anese of such possibilities" he says,
"only provokes q smile"
] In other words. Japan does not wor.
ry about what the United States may
-, think OF her Asiatic policy. This in
spite Of the fact that, after China the
United States is the nation most con.
| cerned. The principles which Japan
violated were subscribed to, by all the
powers. but they were originally put
forward and sponsored by the United
States. a.. .a
! The other powers may yet follow
Japan's example and disregard those
principles; they may go back to the
old sphere of influence doctrine and
| take their profits at China's expense.
There is no likelihood that japan will
stand in England's way, or Russia's
way. England and Japan are allies,
Russo-Japanese, alliance is expected
to be made public at any minute. The
interests of the United States will be
the ones to suffer, by far the most ser.
iously. Our policy will be overTidden,
our principles Knocked, and our com
mercial and industrial rights cast
! carelessly aside. .... ~.
| In spite of all this, Japan only wait.
ed until the hands Of Europe were
tied before aggressing on China. She
waited until only the United States
was free to protect the doctrine OF
equal rights. Then she went ahead
The end Of the chapter has still to
he written. This is no matter Of his.
tory; it is still molten, living unset.
| tied. 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 the ad
vantage of position in the Chinese
chess game. Meanwhile, our notes
of protest still lie in some pigeon
=, hole in Picking and in Tokyo. China
herself is still dealing with revolt and
anarchy, which may at any moment
furnish pretext for fresh aggression
The situation is fraught with a hun
! dred possibilities. America should
remember-what they seem prone to
, forget-that for our nation the most
vital issue in the world struggle is not
, the fate of Belgium. or of Serbia, or
Poland. It is the fate Of China