The Washington times., 1921-10-23

cool. scientific historian can, the
itsstimabte Importance Of the In
ternational Conference on Limita-
tion of Avmaments tn Washing ton
neat month. Admiral Fisiss 70 one
Of the worlds foremost naval sr-
, perts. and he toritss Jrops an Amor
ican point Of view. AZ a vriter
aud inventive genius his leader
ship has been recognized by his Sc
lection as President Of the United
States Naval Institate.
by REAR ADMIRAL b. A. FISKE.
Written Especially for Universal
Service.
NNE of the interesting facts con-
nected with the present world
situation is that tho two ma
tions which are occupying the most
important positions are the two
youngest that are worthy to be call.
ed great nations.
In 1853. when Commodore Perry
reached Japan. the United States
was a little republic. accorded only
the most casual notice by any OF the
great powers: while Japan was a
barbarian country. almost wholly
unknown by those great powers,
occupying a few little islands that
lay few hundred miles east OF an.
other barbarian country. China.
\ In 1853, Japan was pursuing life
of peaceful isolation. governed by
successive. Mikados and successive
Shoguns. who administered their
functions as emperorpriests and
actual military rulers. respectively.
This condition lasted for more than
two hundred years; but, fortunately
for the nation, the conditions Of liv-
ing were SO hard that the long
period of peace had not entailed ef-
feminancy..
The menace had been discovered
in time; and the Shoguns, especially
Yoshimine. the Theodore Roosevelt
of Japan. had been able to keep
alive the ancient spirit OF chivalry
and the love OF many sports.
NEED OF ARMS.
This was the situation on July 8,
1853. when Commander Perry. U. 8.
NJ. suddenly appeared in Yedo bay
with four men-of-war and delivered
a letter from President Fillmore, de-
manding that Japan open her ports
to trade with the United States.
When Perry returned to Japan on
February IL, 1854. Japan signed q
treaty virtually such as Perry die
tated. and she followed 1t later with
similar treaties with Holland, Rus
sia, and Great Britain.
Ever since. Japan has realized that
had 1t not been for the United States,
she would have remAined q barbar-
ian country for an indefinite period:
and she has taken advantage of all
proper opportunities to express her
appreciation.
Japan's movement toward modern
civilization was inspired almost
wholly by her realization OF the
necessity Of acquiring modern arm.
ament, and learning how to use 1t.
The movement began about 1883.
From then until 1894 Japan went
through q period Of transition so
sudden, so comprehensive and so
momentous that II has no parallel
in history.
In 1858 Japan had almost no
money, no place among nations, no
modern civilization. no armament.
In 1894 she was comparatively rioh,
well placed. civilized and armed: 20
well armed that she was able to de-
feat with ease the armament OF
China, a nation vastly more populous
and possessing natural resources
greater.
POWER THROUGH ARMS.
By the treaty Of Shimonoseki,
made in 1895. after her successful
war with China, Japan was to re-
ceive n considerable territory west
,f Corea; but Russia, France and
Germany interfered and warned her
not to take certain parts that Japan
much wanted. This interference
,aused great injury to Japan and
vas national insult of tho most
kind. But she realized
hat her deficiency in armament as
with these great owners
made her helpless, and she wisely
Yielded.
But she proceeded at once TO
'xpend a great part of large
money indemnity which she had
'eceived on armament. SO wisely
lid she expend 1t. SO industriously
lid she develop her resources and
Ter foreign trade, and so courage
'usly did she prosecute her foreign
policy that when, in 1901. the
Boxer rebellion broke ont I'm north.