The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1915. JAPAN AND CHINA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 286, 12 May 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1915. JAPAN AND CHINA.

Tim all-absorbing incidents of the conilict between the Allies and Germany has made the dispute between China and Japan pale into insignificance. All the same there were' the elements of an upheaval that might have assumed serious and far-reaching consequences. Since the Russo-Japanese war Japan has concentrated her ell'orts 011 recovering from the enormous physical and economic strain inevitably arising from that struggle which resulted in promoting the Japanese to the rank of a Great Power. As a consequence Japan lias naturally turned her eyes to the development of commerce and the expansion of her trade. It stands "to reason that she found it necessary to cultivate the arts of peace' in order to restore her financial equilibrium, and it is equally certain that she is looking for all possible avenues of industry and commerce, and it is not surprising to find that her hopes of success were partly based on the probability of finding in China,, her near neighbor, a field of enterprise that would be most acceptable. 011 the outbreak of the present war Japan opened her ■programme by delivering her first blow at Germany in the form of capturing Kiao-cluiu and thereby took poses,sion of all the territory held by Germany in China. Having obtained a fooling in the Celestial land Japan lost 110 time in submitting proposals to China for the transfer of the concessions formerly held by Germany—concessions ol considerable value, especially to a nation bent on industrial expansion—and for certain commercial and mining rights. China, however, was naturally suspicious of Japan's intentions, the more so as the country was in a state of political chaos consequent 011 the rebellion, and she resorted, to those wily, dilatory artifices which her diplomatists have raised to a fine art. Apparently there is one dominant rule in Chinese negotiations, and that is never to come to an agreement of any sort until absolutely forced to do so. Japan was, n! course, well aware of this unique method of postponing the evil (lay and proceeded accordingly. After much bargaining she modified her demands, and the usual result ensued. China translated the pliable action of her neighbor as a sign of weakness, and at once put her back to the wall, refusing pointblank the concessions in terms almost of insolence. The key to the change (if tone is doubtless to hi< found in the fact that German malevolence was at Work in the usual intriguing manner to prevent any agreement being arrived at. Both America and Britain were brought into the discussion, and throughout there is every appearance that Japan was acting in accord with British views. The inevitable ultimatum had at last to make its appearance, and though it was withdrawn for a brief space it eventually effected its purpose, though not he-

foro. Jftpjun. had gireri an assurance that no action: oa her part would interfere with.;; Gtiiiwiw territory or integrity, or the,: sphere. of influence of other Powers entitled, thereto. .Japan docs not want territory;, hor great need being an outlet. for- her industrial forces. China's acceptance of Japan's modified demands ;should be regarded with much satisfac- , Won, and there is little doubt that it will 1 ir-esult in much benefit to China in II 'long run. Japan is Britain's linn Ally, land she ia not likely to take any st< ithat will be antagonistic to British intci- • cats. She certainly did a meritorious 'act in freeing China from German occupation, and 'paving tho way for the. elim--ination of German scheming to. monopolist) the concessions which moan- so much to the industrious Jap. It 1 may he that trouble may still arise, for ■Germany will hardly consent to be c^stod - without striving to regain her lost'opportunities. We need not, however; have any anxiety aa to the future, and' may look forward to the development of' China with confidence and satisfteeti'on.