Star May.
Tut great exploits of Japan, both on sea and land, in the recent war could not full to excite in the country of her ally an enthusinstio admiration amounting indeed to adulation. The sight of Japanese bluejackets in the street was suffi. cient to send the watching crowds into frenzies of cheers, while at the numerable functions which have lately taken place the same a ment has been expressed with more finish but with hardly less ree straint, Ae yet—a year of er the great victory in the Tsushima Straits—the echoes of the cheers still ringing in British ears; but ready the reaction which was in evitable after the intensity of hero-worship is beginning to be felt. Popular favour is—proverbially short-lived; the hero of to-day ix the scapegoat of to-morrow, Thus it is in accordance with what might be expected that, while the resettlement of the Far East afier the upheaval is still only begin-the doings of the most prominent actor should be closely scrutinized by friend as well us by foe.
What is the attitude of Japan erally towards the policy of the Open Door? The question is being asked by many officials and merchants and is being answered in very different ways. Iv is engaging the attention of the home news. papers some of which have sent spe correspondents to the Far met with the express purpose ascertaining opinion on the spot. Yo us it seems that, natural us it is expect the question, the form in which it is being generally put is little ungenerous and nob a little thoughtless. Assuming, for the purposes of argument, that Japan ts absolutely faithless in the fulfilment of her pledges,—and ull recent experience has gone against this assumption,—how is it posit lo for her to face he consequences thut must immediately ensue if she breaks her oft-repeated pledges in this pariiculir, - Japan to-dey is a great nation, but she is not great in a"p'endid isolation her position is founded in principal ure on the AngloJapnnese Aliance and on her friendly relations with the United Staves, Any attempt to slam to the Open Door means a breach with both these Powers. On the simple sore
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.