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Show Japan s Interest In China Uesldo commercial Interests, Japan I has In China most vital political Interest, In-terest, for tho shaping of events In tho latter might not only undermine Jupan's position on tho Asiatic main land, won at an enormous sacrlflco of blood and treasure, but might endanger en-danger oven her national existence. For solf protection, therefore, Japan cannot remain Idlo whllo China's weakness constitutes a constnnt sourco of troublo in tho Far East und while Chlnn helplessly strips herself of valuable territory und rights at tho bidding of European Powers. Tho uitlmato aim of our China policy, pol-icy, says Count Okuma, has been no other than to awakon her from this morbid torpor In order to Insure her futuro prosperity and avoid conflict with tho European nations. Over nnd over tho warning has been given; tlmo nnd again It has been left unheeded. un-heeded. Nay, oven tho gravo disasters disast-ers that repeatedly overtook China havo not succeeded In awakening her from lethargy.. Tho sad and humiliating humili-ating spectacles that meet ono nt overy ov-ery turn, at tho Legation Quarter of Peking whoro foreign troops aro quartered, at tho foreign settlements w herein China's sovereignty is overridden over-ridden and aro established republics within tho republic theso also have fallod to impress upon China and mako her bestir horsoir. President Yuan Shlh Knl has himself confessed that na booh as U10 troubfo was over, wo Indulged in nil kinds or pleasure, forgetting all tho former humiliations. Unplcnwint task no it Is to narrato thin cud story, It must bo dono to clarify tho situation. In short, In eplto of tho wonderful stride China hnn mado within recent years In various va-rious domalnH of civilization, sho still htekii soli reliance, foresight, preparedness. TJndor tho circumstances tho utmost ut-most Japan can do is to adopt overy legitimate moans to safeguard her interest and forestall European encroachments en-croachments upon her neighbor.. Moruovcr, friendship engages Japan to proffer to China suggestions for hor betterment. This must have been tho inspiration back of tho proposals pro-posals mado by Japan as to tho employment em-ployment of Jnpaneso political, military, mili-tary, and financial advisors and tho supply of arms nnd ammunition. Thoy aro, however, entirely different In character as Ilaron Knto explained tn his Instuctlons to tho Japnneso Mlnlstor at Poking from tho domands that woro prossod and accepted. Tho former class bolongs to friendly proffers, prof-fers, nnd It was but Just thnt thoy wore expunged from tho ultimatum and loft for futuro discussion. Their acceptanco by China depends alto-gothor alto-gothor upon tho valuo sho pluccs on Japaneso friendship and ability. Review Re-view of Reviews. |