The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-09-11

p1re, anu z:s
helped its ISSaIMiso Tssssso =
development
to the utmost Of It's power that
Japan might act as q check and bar
rier to the greatness and expansion
of the Muscovite empire in the Far
East.
The Muscovite empire has col
lapsed. The only power which can
now WELD a preponderating tnflu-
ence In the Far East is precisely
Japan.
What then would be the object Of
the new .Anglo-Japanese alliance.
supposing It were renewed. seeing
that its original, scope has ceased
to exist? >.,.s..~- 49,. o.. .
We can only see one aim In COM
mon between the two countries; the
conquest OF China Or. to use q
blander and perhaps more exact
phrase: the preponderance Of the
two allied powers in Chinese affairs
above all other powers--Asiatic,
European or American. e. ~-- a.
China Is probably destined to do
velop into q great world-trayail and
danger before long. The same
tragedy which was enacted In Italy
at the end of the seventeenth and
the first half Of the eighteenth CEN
tury is being repeated in China.
but in gigantic proportions. A
civilization much more ancient, ma
ture and wise than the western
civilization is no longer able. de-
spite It's wisdom. to withstand the
weapons and modern devices OF
the barbarians who menace it from
the north and the east.
CHINA'S NEEDS.
In order 10 defend herself. China.
too, stands in need Of artillery. OF
steam engines, Of railways and
coal, and in order to obtain them
she Is forced to ''westernise" her
self, dropping overheard a good
deal Of her millennial wisdom.
During this crisis Of transition.
which began with the fall Of the
dynasty. China win be exposed to
the most conflicting influences
from Europe and Ameria. to their
doctrines. their capital and their
trade. -,
She viii DO q sort Of novice and
pupil of western civilization. dis
puted and harassed by numerous
masters anxious to teach her Eu-
ropean and American progress and
to sell her the most costly prod
ucts Of this progress: and who. the
bettcr to impress their teachings,
win be instantly tempted to make
q free use Of the stick and the
whip on the shoulders Of their dun
and recalcitrant pupil.
Hero lies the chief danger. For
although China il driven westward
by the necessity to increase her mill.
tary efficiency, she still Is, and viii
continue to remain for many years.
extremely weak. Those who know
the Unsuitable greed and rapacity Of
the Western Powers may easily
imagine the temptations capable Of
arising from this disproportion Of
forces between the powerful teach
ers and the feeble pupil.
Japan MOST DANGEROUS.
Owing to its geographical position.
its clinical, historical and linguistic
affinities and the power Of which It
disposes, Japan win be the principal
and most dangerous Of these would
he tutors, But It cannot remain
a,one ana unchallenged, for 1t will
have to face the competition Of the
leading European Powers and Of the
limited States, which have already
secured important interests In China.
Tho struggle for China, already
latent during the ten years which
nreceded the world war. win now
burst openly and fiercely. But in
this struggle, after Russia's col
iapse. an Anslo-Japanese alliance
might easily achieve an overwhelm-
ing preponderance, both as regards
China and In respect OF the other
Furopean and American States.
This IN another result--nor the
least important--of the world war.
N England, at the end OF the nine
teenth century, encouraged Japan's
development In order to counter