The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-02

Editors Note: This is the first
d slx timely stories on Japan Of
today, and the island empires
amazingly rand rise from prim-
lAtlve hand to q first-class world
0oWer In the short span Of 10
80 years.
Across the map Of the Orient fall:
the menacing shadow Of a race Of lit.
tie brown men-the Japanese.
There are about 10000 900 Of then
In Japan proper. On the average
they are only five feet three inches
tall. They have almond-shaped eyes
coarse black hair and very little, II
any, boards. About 100000 are
Christians-the rest are mostly Budd-
hists or Shinto ancestor worshipers.
Theirs is an island empire, CORE
spending to Asia just as England cor
responds to Europe. They are pro-
9ressive, aggressive, smart, we'll edu-
Gated and inspired with pride Of
race that becomes semi-fanatical
form Of patriotism. The teachings OF
centuries have made them SO.
They have the third largest navy
in the world, being excelled only by
England and America. They have
one Of the largest and best equipped
armies In the world. Their industrial
system Is q MARVEL their great mer-
chant fleets sail every sea, their rail-
roads carry a large part Of Asia's
commerce, their mills and factories
are as modern-and as extensive-as
any In the world.
They have everything that any ma
ton could want, except one thing:
Foreign trade.
They must have foreign trade to
live. without it they will starve. No
matter what the cost, this island en-
pire of commerce and industry must
have sources Of raw material for its
factories and foreign markets as an
outlet for the goods it makes.
True, the choice part OF this island
empire is crowded, but there is still
lots of room In the undeveloped hint
crlandS.
It draws from, feeds OH and sells
to the vast, weak land that is China.
The Chinese, fearful of being gobbled
UP by this modern and aggressive lit
tie neighbor, declared an economic
boycott against Japan's goods. That
act cut at the very lifeblood Of Japan
The warfare that followed was inev-
liable.
With Gandhi-like impassivenes
China'S uncounted millions dealt jap
an z body blow. II you want to cast
aside all considerations Of justice, etc
and get right down to the cold eco
Monies Of things, you must admit
that there was nothing else for Japan
to do but Fighter Starve.
At the same time, they are cocky
and ruthless. Their history has made
them SO. In little over Is years
within the lifetime of many men who
are living today-the japanese have
progressed from q nation of semi
barbarians to a world power.
There Is nothing comparable to II
In all history.
Since 1853, when Commodore Perry
and his American gunboatS entered
uraga harbor and demanded that the
empire trade with the world-ceasine
forever Its policy Of isolation-Japar
has progressed farther than America
progressed between the days Of Chris
topher Columbus and Theodore
Roosevelt. Only the motion Of a sky
rocket can be likened to that of this
ancient race which. after sleeping
centuries as hermit empire, finally
rose with screaming suddenness tc
find its place in the sun.
X X X
The story goes back long, long
way.
Centuries before Christ, the for.
bears of these islanders crossed from