The New York herald., 1922-04-02

fact, nothing very new or original
in his presentation Of the case. but It
is a well made summary, and he
comes right down to date.
He is, perhaps, inclined to be
little more pro-Japanese than some
other recently vocal American critics,
but his attitude remains sufficiently
critical. His summary conclusion is
that he does not believe that fair
minded Americans object to Japanese
commercial expansion on the Asian
mainland-so long as that expansion
is legitimately conducted" Probably
not, but that rather seems to avoid
the precise issue. He adds, finally:
Il can assure you Japan is genuinely.
almost pathetically. anxious for
American confidence and good will,
and in order to attain them her re-
sponsible statesmen are prepared to
make almost every concession that
self-respect will permit and that
fair minded American can demand"
Which is also a 'safe" statement.
In Corea Mr.. Powell sees ''the Ire
land of the East" No doubt there Is
an analogy, but it appears to be
capable of being overdrawn-f not
actually misleading. Mr.. Powell gives
a vivid, always interesting, sketch OF
the land and it's people, containing
great deal of useful information,
but his opinion of the Coreans on
the whole is not overflattering. As
to the present state of affairs he
chooses a middle ground of opinion,
neither condemning nor wholly ap-
proving Japanese control. He says:
Criticism. of Japan's stern mill
taristic policy and of the harsh
methods she has permitted in it's
execution should not blind us to her
integrity, her large administrative
ability and to the energy she has
displayed in carrying out material
reforms. From personal observation
on the spot I am convinced that the
general condition Of the Corean
peasantry is appreciably higher than
it ever was or could have been under
Corean administration. This is not
to be interpreted as meaning that
do not sympathize with the Coreans.
for do They have been the victims
of cruelty, injustice and oppression.
But I can also sympathize with
Japan. She has jerked ma
ton out of the depths of poverty,
degradation and despair as though
by its collar. set it on its feet and is
teaching it to play the game"
He also believes that Corea is far
from being able to "go it alone" and
would suffer If Japan were to let go.
His account of present conditions
in China is Also a useful summary
Of the prevailing confusion. the hos
tilities between north and south, the
brigandage. the dangerous antics of
the Tuchuns and the general un-
certainty as to what next. He con-
cludes that China would do well to
take what she can get out of possible
international readjustments without
asking too much all at once. His
general conclusion comedies with
that of all recent critics, including
the Chinese, that China must first
reform herself il she is once more to
become great. If she docs clean up
her own household there is no limit
to her possibilities. But even IL she
does not, and if chaos continues, Mr..
Powell still believes her unconquer-
able. "She will never be conquered"
says he. "her people will never be
assimilated by those of any other ma
ton. For when all is said
/. China is an anvil which, by
mere passive resistance, will even-
tuaily wear out every hammer that
beats upon it,"
Passing to the Philippines he
brings out clearly the vast complex
ity of the problems of mixed races
there and concludes that any kind
of independence" is apparently still
very much in the future.
IL.
Mr.. Russells book is primarily a
'polemic in aid Of Philippine inde-
pendence, argued with his usual
brilliance and skill and based upon