Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-25
PEACEFUL PENETRATION?
Tho Shantung controversy may r.

Tho Shantuny controversy may re-
suit In japan deciding 10 restrict her
Efforts In that quarter of the world
20 peaceful penetration. Noticeably
she Las. in her methods OF govern
ment and in business, initiated Ger
many. In her study of that coun-
try's cndeavors she cannot have
overlooked tho success which at
tended Gcrmnny's efforts at peaceful
penetration throughout the world
prior 10 the war. German grip was
strong on the basic industries of Italy
ant even in France Germans were
steadily replacing the French. She
dom mated the dye industry of the
world. Her influence in our own
country was tremendous. In South
America II was surely occurring
prominence in control. She enabled
her enterprises TO undersell the world
e. the sake of establishing control.
Authentic reports indicate Japan is
making use OF like methods in China.
We know what she was doing on the
Pacific coast. Part Of her success in
getting possession of areas of invit-
ing land was due to the fact that the
Americans would not live alongside
them. This condition she has not
encountered in China, but she has
demonstrated, 1t is said, that the
In the most fertile areas of Man
churia the Chinese farmers are being
driven out in competition with the
japanese. In Shantung the japanese
have forced the Chinese out OF voca-
tional employment. have monopolzed
the straw braid industry at which the
Chinese had been successful and are
replacing them as skilled workers in
other lines. While her control of the
railroads and postofiices aids -reatly
in this undertaking there is good rea-
son to believe that Z is not essential
that more slowly but none the less
certainly the energy and organization
back Of japanese enterprise will
eventually accomplish the same re-
suit unless China shall become en-
ragged 10 the point OF boycotting
japanese goods as already has been
done in some Instances. Against
this peaceful penetration on the part
OF Japan such a boycott would be
less likely 10 occur
II is not improbable that the far
seeing japanese are aware OF ad-
yantages in this policy as contrasted
with the roughshod methods of her
military element, especially at this
time when the eyes Of the world are
upon her. Indeed. by reason of the
peculiar status Of the controversy she
IS I'm position 10 commend herself
rather dramatically TO the good
grsccs of other peoples. Whatever
Hhf may do with respect TO Shantung
wal appear TO have been done in
SPIRIT of fair play. Several of the
powers at tho Washington Confer
onte bound themselves by the Treaty
OF. Versailles 70 support Japan's
claim 10 Shantung. Japan is in the
rosition Of having her rights ques-
tiTed by the very powers which
previously approved them in the light
of.all the evidence. Those powers
have no good ground on which to in
40. on tho other hand no confer
sneo of powers may hope to protect
Clrna against peaceful penetration by
lapan or any other country. Is It
not possible for Japan 10 execute
here n mastery stroke and not seri-
ously Impair her designs respecting
'hina and at the same time command
he approval Of her associates at the
onfercncce