OCR Text |
Show BARON KOMURA'S MISSION TO CHINA. The disposition of the Japanese to belittle the efforts of Baron Honiara in the cause of peace has not affected his standing in the Government. Even now he is on his way to Peking, having been intrusted in-trusted with an important mission. However gratifying it may be to' Americans that the Baron has not lost his head or his position because he made possible the treaty nf Portsmouth, his present mission is of much more importance. That it h&M some bearing on the relations of China and Japan as an outgrowth out-growth of the war, there tan be little doubt. The countries' have so much in common and are geographically so situated that when it becomes be-comes necessary to send the most important diplomat in Japan to China, it is evident that questions of deepest significance are at issue. It has been repeatedly denied by the Japanese that they will in any way interfere with the trade of other nations in China, but there tan be little doubt that with its new power, Japan will seek to have an advantage. Whether these efforts will be to the detriment of American interests in-terests remains to be seen, but it is scarcely possible that a position of this kind -will be taken. Russia cannot hope for much, while the position of France is obvious, if it is possible for Japan to secure what will really be the predominant position. Doubtless Komura can exert a powerful pressure in China, and unless he has forgotten the kind expressions of the Americans and l is treatment while in this country, as well as the part President Roosevelt played in the jeace negotiations, the United States need not fear the outcome of his mission. |