The sun., 1919-08-20

done the same thing concerning the Jap
anese.
"A nation of imitators." The Ger
mans of the Bast.r "They stole their
art from China" all are familiar phrases
dug up as often as the nation is mem
toned. As matter of fact, Japan
Joined the family of modern nations af-
ter present commerce and manufacture
were established. There has been little
opportunity for Japan to originate. She
Is In much the same position in her
domestic commerce that we are In for
eign commerce. There is certainly MOTH
Ing original about our journey into ex-
porting. We are simply copying Eng
land. Germany and the rest.
Japan copied the German police and
military systems, the English naval
IDEAS and American methods of selling.
because these particular countries
seemed to offer the best patterns for the
several lines OF endeavor. II mere talk
told the whole truth. this gossip con-
corning Japan would not be unfair.
Judging by standards Japan seems to
havo shown splendid discretion in maxi
ing her choices.
Japan's Mission in China.
As for stealing her art from China
what II she did? Where did we get
ours7 Jspsns knew a good thing wien
she saw it--tnd gave Il to the world.
We should thank her for the service.
The regrettable fact of the whole thing
Is that these products of China were
not given to the world by China her
self. America and the European ma
tons are absolutely to blame for this
circumstance.
Japan was left an entity sovereign
state-and responded nobly to modern
Influence China never had the chance,
for the great Powers simply whacKed
into her territory. ESTABLISHING their
own zones of sovereignty ana followed
a policy Of maximum grabbing for a
minimum of giving. China was in such
an unfortunate internal state when
modern nations came into more tnan
casual contact with her that whatever
offered temporary relief was grabbed
without any thought Of the morrow
The intruding nations looked Upon the
situation as the opportunity of the day
and commercial instinct failed to sug-
gest that the procedure was one OF ulti-
mate liquidation OF a great nation. Now
Japan has undertaken a work OF recon
struction in that part OF China nearest
her own borders and the howl goes up
because 1t is fashionable to howl at
japan.
japan was first to see. or at least
she was the first nation honest enough
to give expression to the idea, that
China must receive cooperative help
from nations fitted to work in harmony
for her good. and while Americans
yelped loudest over Shantung, Japan,
knowing the honesty OF her Intentions
announced her idea of establishing a new
era in China, in the method of her
acquisition, by forming an international
settlement at Singtao as now prevails
In Shanghai rather than a purely Japa-
nesc settlement which under the treaty
with China she was entitled to do.
Closing the "Open Door,"
These zones over which outside ma
tions hold individual sway must not be
increased in number. Their continued
existence abrogates the possibility of
restoring sovereignty to China and
makes the open door" merely a quasi
fact If those already existing could be
internationalized, China would respond
quickly to the unselhsh attitude of the
outside nations which would necessarily
reSult in effort to reconstruct China so
that this cooperation would pay those
who participate in the work. Despite
all the heart throbs of to-day. the
promise of gain controls most effort even
when the apparent motive Is unselfish.
The motive to guide all nations in
these relations with China must be a
establishment of national spirit In the
Chinese so that they may again become
competent sovereign people. The ma
tioral spirit in China is awakening
through the progressive thought of her
students. which Is hopeful. but with so
many of China's millions engaged from
hour to hour in assuring themselves a
pittance OF rice TO sustain life another
day. not much mental strength is left to
reflect upon national issues and less is
offered of incentive to patriotic thought
! China 10 exactly in the position OF a