OUR ALLY IN THE EAST.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 175, 19 May 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

OUR ALLY IN THE EAST.

JAPAN'S RAPID PROGRESS,

The Englishman of to-day is studying his neighbours in the big world as he has never done before We scan the papers eagerly, noi. to say anxiously, to discover tho sympathies of other nations towards the Allied Cause; and in so doing we alight on characteristics that surprise us. But at this tme no nation deserves closer study than our Eastern Ally—Japan. The aspirations of the Japanese today (never call him a Jap if you would respect the feelings of one of the poht- " est races of the world") is that his nation shall be judged by its ideals ana its attainments and not merely regarded as an offshoot Asiatic tribe. The development of the race since the momentous decision of 1859 still remains a marvel in the eyes of a world that is familiar with hustle. If you compliment a Japanese on the delicacy of his country's Art, he will smile in self-depreciation and say "Small paintings, small people, small everything." By this he means you to infer that the broadness of view taken in this country is not to be found in Japan. But he ought also to tell you that the little ideas are part of the old civilisation. The very fact that he is m England drinking up Western ideals with all his eyes and mind is a proof of the new order of things. The old civilisation was one of the "closed door," of empty formalities and national decay. When in early days the edict went forth that the intrepid Japanese pirate should no more set sail for the shores of China, that intercourse with other nations was to be avoided, even that all ships larger than the tiniest fishing craft were to be destroyed, it seemed that Japan, as a nation, had decided its own fate. The sword was put away, as it was thought, for ever. The armour of th-3 ancient samurai was too large for the Japanese of our fathers' days because the arts of peace kept him indoors at the easel or the silkloom. But modern Japanese proudly tell you that they are taller than tneir fathers, and point to the statistics upon national physique that" have been prepared during the last twenty years. The remarkable fact is that the race is undoubtedly growing taller and stouter, and it is obvious that compulsory training helps in that direction. The policy that kept Japan isolated from the rest of the world was continued until the middle of the nineteenth century; but when the nation awoke to find foreign fleets ready to quarrel about the occupation of its shores, a national spirit, called into being by the late Mikado, swept through the land like a cleansing fire. The people rose to its task. With a simplicity that is incredible to the Western mind, the nobles gave up lands and titles to enable their country to face the world as a solid democracy . The army was reorganised and the navy created. By their inborn frugality and genius for detail they set the nation upon its feet, and taught European peoples that their islands could not be treateias appendages of China. It is the greatest mistake in the world to confound the servile, grasping Chinaman with the independent and enlightened Japanese. In Nankin it is the custom to kick a rickshawmm before you ask him o name his fare (merely as policy, m case he might demand too much), but the kicking of a Japanese chair-man m Tokio brought about the death of two Europeans and caused a riot. So strong is the sense of personal honour. The results of the regeneration were soon forthcoming. So successful was Japan in the Chinese War that the Celestial City itself wai all but taken, when three bvi Powers (including Japan's professed friend, Germany), stepped :a and denied the brave little people its spoils " in the interests of the peace of the world." Only recently has Japan realised what this meant; Kaiser William feared the development of China because an awakened Asia would interfere with his own scheme of worldpower. Since then Japan has taken her among the nations. We know how gallantlv she plays her part to-day, how she patrols our Eastern stations for us, jealous of our honour throughout Asia. It is sheer insult to class the Japanese unthinkingly among "Asiatics." In their industry, initiative, in their love of country and devotion to freedom, they are eminently fitted to be Britain's Allies. In the~c days of the increasing importance of :-ea-power, one may be excused for believing that Britain's future is bound up with that of Japan.