The Dominion. SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1915. CRISIS IN THE FAR EAST

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 2456, 8 May 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1915. CRISIS IN THE FAR EAST

A grave crisis has arisen in the Far East in connection with the demands recently mado by Japan on China. It is officially announced thiit tho Japaneso Government has sent an ultimatum to Peking. This docs not actually mean war, but a situation has been created _ which might very easily develop into _ a conflict of armed forces. Her brilliant achievement in warfare in recent years have made Japan keenly conscious of her own strength. By the sword she has secured to herself a place among the great Powers, and she is resolved, if needs be, to maintain that place by the sword. And she is determined to be great in commerce as well as in war. For some years she has been looking for fresh markets and for new homes for her surplus population. The extension of her sphere of influence' in China has become one of the main features of-her foreign policy. As an Asiatic Power Japan has been watching with some uneasiness the efforts of certain European nations to obtain trade and territorial concessions from the Chinese Government, and she is now determined to take effective measures to protect and extend her political influence and commercial interests in t.he Chinese Empire. Soon after the present European war began she peremptorily ordered Germany to withdraw from China. Such a demand could only be enforced by the sword. A sharp struggle took place, resulting in the capture of Iviao-Chau by the Japanese forces. All German territory in China thus fell into the hands of Japan, and it was announced in January last that the Japanese had made certain proposals to the authorities at Peking regarding tho transfer of the concessions formerly held by Germany and other matters relating to foreign policy and commercial and mining rights. These demands have been the subject of diplomatic discussion' for some time past. The Chinese Government has been playing for time._ It has endeavoured to avoid coming to a definite decision, and has been pursuing those devious and dilatory methods which have become characteristic of Chinese diplomacy. Yuan Shih-Kai and his advisers appear to have schemed and haggled until the Japanese consented to_ modify their demands. This modification was, however, regarded as an indication of weakness. China changed her attitude. She became less conciliatory, and according to a cablegram whioh we publish to-day, she "not only refused the Yangtse demand, but did so in distinctly provocative language." What does this mean? It certainly looks as if German intrigue is at work. It is well known that the Kaiser's agents have been very busy at Peking. ->The.y have been endeavouring to poison the Chinese mind against Japan, and to cause trouble between the two nations. The dispute has been brought to a climax by the sending of an ultimatum from Tokio to Peking. China and Japan are not disputing over matters which concern themselves alone. The forward policy of the Japanese Government in the direction of the extension of its influence in China is being idoscly watched in tho United States. Britain also has great interests in the Far East, and she is bound to see that they_ are safeguarded. It has been officially stated that communications have passed between the British and Japaneso Governments regarding the proposals which have led to the present crisis, and the Japaneso Ambassador is now discussing tho situation with Sir Edward Grey. _ According to the latest information available at time of writing, China has been given until Sunday to reply to the ultimatum, and it is believed at Washington that she will not allow her objections to the demands made lipou 'her to result in war with her confident and masterful neighbour. There seems to lie some uncertainty regarding tlie precise nature of the questions at issue. The Japanese Government lias declared that its proposals contain "nothing of.a nature to disturb the territorial integrity of China or anything conflicting with the spheres of influence now _ en joyed by other Powers.' 1 There is, however, a considerable amount of uneasiness in foreign circles in China regarding I lie (rend oT events, and it' is felt that ;t would be a misfortune- to midormina lie prestige of Xvak Sam-

Ivai. The Peking correspondent of The Times, in commenting on the situation, remarks:

Foreigners, on the whole, recogniso the reasonableness of many of the Japanese claims, and believe that their acceptance would not necessarily be to the detriment of China. At tho same time, there is an ambiguity about some of the demands, and one at least cannot bo granted by the Chinese, for it involves a railway concession following an alignment almost identical with that assigned last year to a British corporation. The Chinese would certainly bo more ready to meet Japan if her demands were more clearly defined and their scope explained, while foreigners generally would be relieved to know that Japan does not want China to concede privileges calculated to impair her sovereignty and to prevent that equality of opportunity to ensure which is one of the main objects of the Anglo-Japaneso Alliance.

Tho Chinese arc extremely suspicious of tho intentions of Japan. They feel that their national independence is in danger, and that an attempt is being made to overthrow the existing regime. The revolutionary movement has not yot been completely crushed. Some of its leaders have taken refuge in Japan, and. it is feared that they are still plotting to secure tho realisation of their ideals. Some people believe that the' Japanese are encouraging these aspirations, whilo othersthink that Japan is anxious to restore the old dynasty and to placc on the throne an Emperor who will take his instructions from Tokio. The existence of such suspicions as these, combined with wire-pulling _ from Berlin, has mads it extremely difficult for the two Governments to reach a satisfactory settlement of the points in dispute; but it is to be hoped that it will not be beyond tho capacity of diplomacy to avert an appeal to force. China is not ready for war. She could not expect, without outside help, to offer successful resistance to a strong naval and military Power like Japan,, and she riiust see that it is vain to look for the required assistance from any other nation. However desirous the Cerraans may be to foment discord, it is quite certain that if China was foolish enough to go to war she could look for no help from Germany. Tho astute Yuan Shih-Kai is no doubt well awaro of this._ But there is always tho possibility of a Government's hand being forccd by a suddon and uncontrollable outburst of public sentiment.