East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-07-24

earth.
The gigantic empire OF the Tsar looked
with contempt upon the little yellow n,ss
of the East. To pit their pigmy strength
against the colossal resources OF the Rus
Sian Empire seemed foolhardy. True
Japan, In her war with China in 1894, had
quickly conquered and humbled that mus.
sive empire. But the Chinese were Orlen-
fals. and Russia was one OF the most power
ful military states of Europe aud the grea.-
est empire la the world. Her armies for
centuries had been trained IN the science
and experience OF war. While Japan yet
reposed Ia the barbarc coma OF the East,
Russia battled with the imperial armies OF
France and conquered Napoleon the Great.
Russia scorred Japan. At the very doors
OF the island empire stood the impregnable
fortress OF Port Arthur--the Russian
Gibraltar of Asia. The most powerful
navles OF THE world could not hope to re-
duce this frownlng ra ampart.
But sudderly. without warning. Japan
struck at her huge antagonist. The world
WAS amazed The Russian fleets were an-
initiated, Port Arthur was taken. Mukdea
fell and the armies OF the Tsar were driven
In panic back into the SHOWS OF Siberia.
The most formidable antagonist that the
world could present had been vanquished.
Then. In the East, stood JapanIproud, con
fident. powerful. dangerous!
In 1902 Japan became leagued with Great
Britain. This compact did not require
Japan 70 engage In hostilities unless Great
Britain were attacked in the Far East In
1914. Japan declared war on Germany and
at once attacked Kiao-Chau.
Then Japan stor ped.
On November g. 1914. after a stout re-
sistance, the fortress. fell Then Japan
stopped. In the direst days OF the war.
when the fortunes of the Allies aud the
world hung In the balance. Japan never
lifted hand Not dollar. nor a soldier.
nor ship. she hazard after her pur-
poses in the East were accomplished While
the Allies were struggling In death -grapple
to preserve the civilization OF the world,
Japan selfishly stood still. Instead Of con.
tributng men and money to the prosecu.
tion OF tue war she grew rich out OF Ii by
selling munitions to Russia
While the Cnited States and the great
Powers OF Europe were absorbed In the
gigantic struggle with Germany. Janan
n
of outrageous demands upon the repnblie
OF China-demands which amount virtuale
to a surrender of her sovereignty.
With remorseless persistence she presse,
the helpless republic TO the wan. In Ma,
1918, she issued an ultimatum to China. an,
the republic, being wholly unable to resist
signed away her rights. her liberty and her
sovereignty. No more unproyoked or uish-
handed outrage was every perpetrated.
Railways coal mines, iron works, police
departments, courts, harboPs, schools, were
surrendered to the custody aud tontref Of
japan.
Sees VAST Peril.
II Is the purpose of Japan, bcynrd doubt
TO dominate the people of China. This is
apparent, not only to close observers. but
to the merest novice. She proposes to con-
solidate the races of the Far East and with
one despotic sceptre WELD the limitless
power Of the Orient. when this ppens-
and 1t win happen-Japan Will I've the ter
ror OF the West Couchant like tiger.
lynx eyed, crafty, alert. patient, silent,
Japan awaits tile opportunity to spring.
Seven hundred million Mongoiians welded
together into one vast military empire win
tion more terrible than all the combined
hangers OF the last two thousand years.
With this innumerable population to can
Ipon Japan could put In the field forces
the united armies Of the
Allies and the Central Powcs. At the head
# twenty million trained men-darlng, IA
aiistlc, burning to revenge the indignties
ieaped upon them by ages OF race preju-
Iice-the Mikado Of Japan can march un-
iindered over the bloody track OF Attila
he Hun. A
And the astonishing feature of the situa-
ion isthe fact that the democratic nations
4 the West sit at the peace table In Paris
iuing' and abcttng the dIsintegration of
nina and the growth of the yellow terror
! tue East. Why do they do this? China
as not offended. China has Joined the
reat forward movement OF the age, and
IS become q rernihie: but gapsu lngs be-
nd tlingins pci'~ist,.fiIy 10 niediaeval Inn
'rlaiSm China lia~ nt'de az the terri
ries within her froatiers safe for de
ocracy." But The tenftties ~ a despot-
m are reaching hitb her eit,lls The dead.
clutch OF Imperialism IL strangIing her
cath. Unless the free peoples OF the
est come 10 her ress.ue Tie republic of
lima must Sutttimh. lBnt they do not
me to her rescue. China Is being crippled
though she had been an ally Of Ger
any: and. to the aiiiazefiieni of the world,
II delegates nj Paris are acquiescing In
Is crime against sister republic. Under
p sanction oi the pcace conference. Kiao-
lou. the sea port Of Sllaulung. is not TO
restored to China but is to remain per-
meIiiiy torn flrn the bosom of the re-
bile. being merely transferred from the
lmcious clutch of the German autocrst