ADVISERS, Nov. 27.
Ix a recent issue of the " Japan Chronicle" there appeared a summary of an article by Dr. Ariga, Editor of the "Gaiko Jiho" (International Law Review) which would seem to have influence upon the attitude of the Japanese Press towards the revolution. Dr. Ariga is a recognized authority upon international law and his opinion in such matters, we are told, carries undoubted weight. Beginning, then, with the principle that although international law obliges non-belligerents to observe neutrality in a war between nations, it does not compel them to refrain from intervening in a civil war, Dr. Ariga urges the Japanese Government to take a decided stand and to lend its assistance to, or.at bonne to be heard sooner or later from the Japanese Press in view of the enormous losses inflicted by the revolution upon Japanese trade. Bat with all respect to the learning and inflaence of Dr. Ariga, we do not believe that, in this instance, he is representative of the best feeling in Japan, or that he will succeed in diverting the Japanese Government from that policy of non-interference to which the events of the revolution hitherto have shown that it honourably adheres, In the beginning, ie must be confessed, there were grounds why even the best friends of Japan might be dubious about her probable line of action. In the light of her amazing development fas a first class Power the world might not unnaturally ask itself how much farther she proposed to go. Her peculiar position vis-a-vis of China, the obvious desirability of Southern Manchuria as an outlet determined. atlitade which she for her surplus population, and the
maintained in respect of such questions as the Fakumen railway, would form a reasonable ba: inference as to what use might be tempted to make of a revolution in China, What are the facts of the case so far as the actual of the contending parties in China. He argues that during the Taiping Rebellion Gordon, while ostensibly acting as Marquis Li Hung-ch: personal adviser, was in reality commissioned by the Britis Government. It was, however, impossible for the other Powers to raise any objection in view of Gordon's unofficial status as regards course of events reveals them With more excuse for interference than might be found for any other tion, it cannot, we believe, be said that Japan has fallen short in any respect of the attitude of strict neutrality to which the Powers have committed themselves. That she landed " small guard of marines to protect her Consulate at Chefoo was more than she was fully justi-his own Government: and Dr. A: ig8 fied in doing, or than was done by proceeds to urge that the United States. Even the follow the example thus successfully transformation scenes in Mukden, initiated by Great Britain fifty which are said to have involved more years ago. With the inaccuracy real alarm than was happily shown of Dr. Ariga's view of Gordon's by the result, would not appear position we need not deal. The whole to have caused Japan to overstep her story is one on which history is quite attitude of watchful abstention. No conclusive. But the point is that doubt Japanese statesmen realize, as Dr. Ariga openly advocates inter-do their confreres elsewhere, that vention, recommending with frank non-interference now will pay beet cynicism that it matters not on inthe long ran. But it is fair to which side Japan throws her weight add that not only do the actual so long as she makes certain of losses of the revolution affect her getting something substantial for proportionately more than other her trouble; and with such a lead nations, but that she is financially as this it is not surprising to learn less able to endure them. We are that there "an increasing by no means blind admirers of restlessness evident in the (Japan-all Japan's policy towards China. ese) Press at the prolongation of In more than one instance we the crisis and a growing inclination believe that she has injured her to favour some sort of intervention." best interests in this country by That such expressions of opi undue employment of the mailed will eagerly be seized upon in Chi d elsewhere by those who fist. There is, then, the more reason to give oredit where credit is due are suspicious of Japan's good faith, and while none can say what the can hardly doubt. In point oftfuture may bring forth, there is fact the ory for intervention was nothing in Japan's conduct hitherto
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.