COUNT WITTE
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From an international point of view it was desired that the situation, at any rate as far as appearances went, should remain unchanged. What was aimed at was equilibrium, not preponderance. Opinions which made themselves heard, not only in Central Europe, but also in the English and American newspapers, showed more and more plainly how critical the situation would be if Japan alone possessed undisputed paramount power in Eastern Asia. The leading papers, which at first had been so enthusiastic and described with such unbounded admiration Japan's gallant battles and unexpected victories, grew gradually reserved as the question of how far Japan's ambitions might one day extend, became doubtful.
Economic acquisitions were feared even more than the actual strategic conquests. Already a portion of the commerce of the Far East has left European hands and fallen to the share of Japan, and evidently this will more and more be the case. The vicinity of the country, the cheap rate of wages, the simplicity of social conditions and those of labour, even at the present day, all contribute to give Japan the advantage in the competition. What their Government chiefly covet, at any rate just now, are new commercial spheres—safe markets—to profit by the great wealth of neighbouring states. By adroit commercial treaties with China, exploitation of the mineral riches of Manchuria and the Korean mines, Japan may, in a very short time, not only make good her war expenditure, but consolidate the economical condition of the empire and increase the general well-being.
From a political point of view, it can no longer be denied that the Pacific Ocean will be, at least on the eastern half, dominated by the Japanese fleet. In short, it is this point which is the essential one.
As I have already stated, Japan's schemes of conquest, if she had any, would be directed less towards the north than towards the south. Siberia never seems to have had a great attraction for her, and I believe that even Manchuria, together with the Amur Provinces, leaves her indifferent. She intends to let the original possessor, China, reconquer it one day. Her far-seeing policy seems to be governed by the assumption that the Eastern Asiatic continent belongs to her neighbours, the Chinese. For herself, she wants to secure the position of a great Sea Power. Her island home, and more especially her sea-faring population, tend to guide her in this direction. As factors to this end they have not only subjective competency, but the greatest objective possibilities. The Island Empire of the Pacific is still, to a great extent, with all her wealth, a terra incognita. We may say the same of the South Sea Islands, which are mostly only under the nominal dominion of the white races. Honolulu and the Philippines might one day be included in the dominions of this newly-arisen great Power; and her sphere of action will possibly create a yet larger circle.
Australasia, even, might become the ultimate aim of Japanese Imperialism and commercialism. The climatic conditions of the northern parts are such that Europeans find it difficult to settle there, and in the limitless sugar and coffee plantations the employment of white labour has always been unsuccessful, in spite of every effort. The number of the white inhabitants is still very small, although the continent was first occupied over a hundred years ago. The original native tribes have slowly died out; but the new settlers, over this whole extent of enormous territory, do not number as many as the population of London. Sparsely peopled, she stands there isolated and unfortified, defenceless, so to speak, in the midst of the sea.
The actual guarantee for her independence is offered by the circumstance that she forms part of the British Empire. This dominion is of course nominal; still, it is enough, at any rate at present, to protect the continent from foreign attack. But it is not hard to foresee what would happen to Australia, with the adjacent islands, Tasmania and New Zealand, should she be severed from Great Britain. Indeed, it is much to be feared that if ever the present alliance between England and Japan were to change into hostility, the former pupils and friends might be obliged to turn their arms against their instructors and allies.
Now, however, a truce has been declared in Eastern Asia. The Peace of Portsmouth has been concluded, and the consequences of this recent event will undoubtedly be greater than the bloodiest battles of the past few months, although it occasioned less noise. I must acknowledge that I am somewhat astonished that the world which welcomed with such jubilation Japan's victories at sea, seems to fail to understand her greatness in the field of diplomacy. Yet nothing was harder than to find such a solution of the various antagonistic problems as should ensure a free path for progress in the future. After such glorious battles, after the unchecked progress of an army intoxicated with success, it must have been very hard to halt, and to utilize this interlude for future strengthening and eventual expansion. Nothing could really have hindered the march to Harbin or to the Baikal district. Even the occupation of Vladivostok was merely a question of time. But, as has already been stated, it was not to Japan's interest to press northwards, and still less to carry the day by sowing the seeds of a yet greater hatred, and exciting the conquered country to a policy of revenge.
That, probably, was the reason why the Japanese gave up the war indemnity, and hope to refund it themselves from the agricultural wealth of the strip of land annexed, instead of from the Russian coffers. Japan did not desire either to increase the animosity of her enemy or to lose the sympathy of her allies. Above all, she abstained from rousing hostility and jealousy on too many sides before the definite attainment of her goal.
The self-command evinced by the Japanese is the greatest feature that, in the whole course of her history, we have had occasion to admire, it is even greater than her bravery, and this same attribute was manifested in a remarkable manner during the entire war. In the battles, whether in their dealings with prisoners and wounded, in slight advantages, or in important victories, they strove to manifest their moderation, self-control, and humanity.
Komura's task was no easier than Oyama's or Togo's. To accept and carry into execution the peace, in its present form, must have been all the more distasteful in that the whole country was against it and expressed its opinion in an exceedingly hostile manner.
Yet, had the populace been more deliberate in its judgment, they must have appreciated the diplomacy of their statesmen no less than the strategy of their generals. They may, moreover, rest assured that the present peace, though it may appear somewhat unjust to them, will prove to be of as great benefit and of as sure advantage as if better terms had been arranged. Was it not so, in the case of past victorious wars, especially as regards the terms of peace concluded with little glory and renown at Simonosaki and Chifu, which yet contributed so much to heighten the army's thirst for combat, and to develop the patriotism of the nation? Undoubtedly Japan is reckoning upon future eventualities and struggles in which she will demand yet more courage from her army and even greater enthusiasm from her sons.
*****
But for the moment, at least, we may look with confidence to the Peace, and hope that Nippon, which has won the admiration of the whole world in the late war, will show herself not less capable in time of peace. May she assist the countries that have come within her sphere—especially Korea—to a higher development! May she improve the conditions of agriculture, industry, as well as of culture, and truly strengthen all those moral, ethical, and spiritual aspirations which alone make for the positive weal of mankind! In one word—may the Land of the Rising Sun earnestly strive to cast rays of light on Eastern Asia!
Agriculture, system of, in China, 119;
in Korea, 218, 226
Alexandrovsky château, style, 4, 9;
situation, 5, 9;
garden, 5;
drawing-room, 9;
study, 11
Altai range, 41
Amur district, incorporated into the Russian
Empire, 59, 362
Angara river, 49
Anglo-Korean commercial agreement, 224
Annam, under French administration, 362
Annenkoff, General, 64
Art, character of Chinese, 182, 348-50;
of Japanese, 278
Asia, 32
Atmolinsk, 36
Australasia, the future of, 386
Baikal Lake, crossing the, 51-3, 55;
islands, 52;
railway line, 52
Balagansk, 42
Baltic, the, 59
Baskir plateau, 32, 58;
character and dress of the people, 32;
climate, 33
Bikanir desert, 64
Black Sea, 59
Bokhara, 36
Boxer movement of 1900, 155
Buddhists, 58
Buriats, 43;
their appearance, 58;
dress, 58;
religion, 58
"Bushido," establishment of, 316;
definition of the word, 316;
code of moral principles, 317;
origin, 317;
unwritten laws, 320;
principles of justice, 320;
courage, 321;
honour, 322;
"hara-kiri," or suicide, 323-6;
"kataki-ushi," or vengeance, 326-8
Butter, export of, 40
Calico, sale of, in Korea, 268
Cemetery, Portuguese, at Pekin, 167
Chan-chi-Tung, Viceroy, his
characteristics, 136, 352;
attempts at reform, 136, 352;
writings, 137;
political views, 352;
mercantile spirit, 353;
views on education, 353;
extracts from his work on "China's
Only Hope," 353-5
Chefoo, Treaty of, 155
Chemulpo, 225, 229
Ch'ien-men, or Great Street, in Pekin, 168
Ch'ien-men San-tan Bridge, 168
Chilkoff, Prince, Minister of Railways,
his characteristics, 20;
mechanical training, 21;
his study, 21;
management of the railway transport during
the war, 21n.
Chin-Chan Mountain, 42
China, 41;
method of agriculture, 119;
suzerainty of Korea, 200;
system of education, 209;
language, 211;
outbreak of war in 1894 with Japan, 231;
magnitude, 340;
territorial losses, 362;
payment of war indemnities, 362;
relations with Japan, 363-7;
originality and initiative, 364-7;
delay in reorganization, 369;
advocates of reform, 370
China, Emperor of, imprisoned, 161, 187;
failure of his struggle for freedom, 187
China, Dowager Empress of, her summer residence, 160;
appearance and dress, 183;
character, 183;
reception of the representatives of the Powers, 184;
interest in the ladies, 186;
diplomatic ability, 186
"China's Only Hope," extracts from, 353-5
Chinampoo, 225
Chinese, relations with Russians, 94, 119;
capacity for work, 127;
energy and industry, 176;
character of their art, 182, 348-50;
characteristics, 341-3;
superiority of the native servant, 342;
labour question, 344;
virtues of the lower middle class, 344;
honesty of tradesmen, 345;
guild or club houses, 346;
musical and theatrical entertainments, 347;
intellectual capacity, 351, 371;
ideal of happiness, 369, 378;
dress, 373;
family affection, 373;
their view of Anglo-Saxons, 374;
care of the poor, 375;
number of Christians, 376;
schools, 377
Ching, Prince, Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs, 177;
his appearance, 177;
characteristics, 178
Chitta, 59
Cholera, epidemic of, at Mukden, 105
Chopsticks, use of, 148
Chunchuses, band of, 82, 118
Clement V, Pope, appoints the first Bishop of Pekin, 376
Confucius, influence of his teaching, 159
Convicts, number of, 43
Cossacks, their characteristics, 54;
escort of, 111;
hilarity, 115;
steeplechase 115-18
Cryptomerea, avenue of, 302
Dalny, 123
Datshas, 3
Dogs of Korea, their character, 256-8;
of Manchuria, 69
Dostoievsky, on the miseries of Omsk, 57
Earth, Temple of the, in Pekin, 172
Eastern Chinese Railway Co., 59, 63, 76, 125;
system of construction, 64;
festivities on the transfer to China, 129
Education method of, in Japan, 292;
in Korea, 209, 234, 238, 272
Erbolinsk, 42
Formosa, 284
Funeral, torchlight procession in Seoul, 258-62
Funerals, style of, in Korea, 220
Fusan, 225, 229
Gardens, style of, in Japan, 310
Gen-San, 225
Genghis Khan, 61
Germany, trade with Korea, 226
Gen-sen plant, value of, in Korea, 194, 227
Gobi desert, 59, 64
Goods train, travelling by, 65
Guild or club houses in China, 346
Halung-kiang, 75
Han river, 193, 229
Hang-Jang, 200
Hankau, club house at, 347
Hankau-chwang, 129, 131
"Hara-kiri," or suicide, 323-6
Haras, 69
Harbin, 59
Heaven, Temple of, in Pekin, 171;
in Seoul, 252
Honolulu, 386
Hwang-ssu temple, 170
Insatsu Kyoku, or Printing Office in Tokio, 294
Irkutsk, 39, 42;
characteristics, 42;
inhabitants, 43, 50;
railway station, 44-6;
impressions of, 48-50;
attractions, 50;
Imperial Opera House, 50;
Chinese colony, 50
Ivasaki, Baron, his articles on Japan, 290, 368
Jade Canal, 142
Japan trade with Korea, 225;
outbreak of war in 1894 with China, 231;
administration of Korea, 232, 235;
temples, 276;
lacquer-work, 277;
monuments, 277;
character of art, 278-81;
Katsura-no-Rikyu Palace, 278;
tea ceremonies, 281, 322;
construction of railways, 284;
telegraph lines, 285;
telephones, 285;
electricity, 286;
steamship service, 286-8;
reorganization of the country, 289-91, 314, 332, 367;
education, 292;
Tokio University, 292;
character of the military equipment, 296, 316;
reception at the Yeddo Palace, 301-10;
avenue of cryptomerea, 302;
style of gardens, 310;
history, 315;
system of vassalage, 315;
the Samurais military code, 316-23, 334;
definition of the word "Bushido," 316;
origin, 317;
"hara-kiri," or suicide, 323-6;
"kataki-ushi," or vengeance, 326-8;
creed, 330;
military discipline, 333;
religion, 336-8;
Shintoism or nature-worship, 337;
imitations and appropriations, 364-7;
development, 367;
relations with China, 363-7;
conclusion of peace with Russia, 381;
motives for desisting from war, 383-5;
moderation and self-control, 382, 388;
policy, 385, 387-9
Japan, Emperor of, 305;
audience with, 305-7;
his interest in various questions, 306
Japan, Empress of, audience with, 308-10;
her dress, 308;
characteristics, 308
Japanese, their force of imagination, 280, 282;
characteristics, 280-3, 289, 296, 311, 315, 341;
gift of adaptation, 291, 315;
causes of their success, 315;
faculty of assimilation, 315, 367;
power of discipline, 315;
courteousness, 322;
conventional smile, 329;
creed, 330;
sword, 331;
fondness for study, 335;
religious views, 337
Jasper, waters of, 143
Kai-Teng, 200
Kalmuks, the, 43, 58
Kanks, 40
Kao-Li, 199
Kasha, 67
Kataki-ushi, or vengeance, 326-8
Katsura-no-Rikyu Palace, 278
Kharbin, 70-73
Ki-Tsze, founder of Korea, 197
Kiahta, 51
Kien-lung, Empress, 170
Kirghiz, steppes of the, 58
Kirin, 68, 75
Kirinsk, 42
Kinshiu railway, 284
Kobe, 284, 339
Koerber, Professor, 294
Korea, its origin, 189, 197;
difference between ancient and modern, 190;
situation, 192;
area, 192;
mines, 192, 227;
rivers, 193, 229;
climate, 193;
flora, 193;
value of the gen-sen plant, 194, 227;
timber, 194;
animals, 195;
minerals, 195;
founder of the nation, 197;
law forbidding the writing of history, 198;
diaries of court officials, 198;
three kingdoms, 199;
history, 199-203;
under the suzerainty of China, 200;
system of administration, 203-5;
number of governorships, 204;
organization of the army, 204;
corruption of officials, 205;
system of justice, 206;
criminal cases, 207;
practice of torture, 207;
prisons, 207;
methods of punishment, 208;
education, 209, 234, 238, 272;
language, 211;
Emperor Li Hsi, 211;
revolution of 1895, 213;
family life, 214;
condition of women, 215;
rights of marriage, 216;
wedding ceremony, 217;
methods of agriculture, 218, 226;
work and recreations of women, 219;
amusements of men, 219;
music, 220;
funerals, 220;
children, 221;
schools, 221;
houses, 222;
food, 222;
dress, 222;
games, 223;
recitations, 223;
relations with foreign Powers, 224;
trade, 224-6;
means of transport, 227;
the "Pedlars' Guild," 228;
railways, 229;
harbours, 229;
money, 230;
independence, 231;
under Japanese and Russian influence, 232, 235;
character of the people, 233, 237;
college at Yong Sang, 238;
dogs, 256;
governed by Japan, 362
Korea, Crown Prince of, 273
Korea, Emperor of, his attempts at reform, 212;
intrigues and plots against his life, 213;
sons, 213;
his power, 269;
appearance, 270;
costume, 270;
interest in the West, 270-2
Korea, Empress of, murdered, 267
Koreans, their origin, 195;
physical characteristics, 196, 233, 237;
intellectual powers, 238;
costume, 244, 248, 263;
method of education, 252, 272
Krasnoyark, 40
Ku-hung-ming, extracts from his "Letters from a
Viceroy's Residence," 356-60
Kublai Khan, 376
Kunsan, 225
Kuropatkin, General, 124
Kwo-tsze-chien temple, 170
Kyoto, 284
Lacquer-work in Japan, 277
Lama of Lhassa, pilgrimages to, 59
Lama monastery in Pekin, 170
Legations in Pekin, 152
Lena, 41
"Letters from a Viceroy's Residence," extracts from, 355-60
Li Cheng Ying, 211
Li Hsi, Emperor of Korea, 211
Li-Hu, 80
Li Hung-Chang, Viceroy, his country house, 132;
character as a financier, 132;
development of Tien-tsin, 134
Li Ping, 211
Liao river, 124, 126
Liaotung, peninsula, 122, 125;
gulf of, 124
Liaoyang, bridge near, carried away by the floods, 71, 120;
crossing the, 121
Lotus Lake, 160
Maisan Hill, 160, 162;
origin of the name, 162
Manchuria, 59;
journey across, 66-121;
refreshment rooms, 67;
capital, 68;
inhabitants, 69, 70;
homes, 69;
pigs, 69;
poultry, 69;
dogs, 69;
mineral wealth, 75;
size, 75;
population, 75;
fertility, 109;
character of the scenery, 110;
occupied by Russia, 231
Manchury, 59
Manchus, their characteristics, 70, 110;
mode of locomotion, 90;
relations with the Russians, 94;
fatalism, 105
Mandarin, mode of travelling, 113
Marsanka, 28
Masampo, 225
Métropole, Hôtel du, arrival at, 47
Mikado, audience with, 306
See Japan, Emperor of
Min, Prince, his typical old Korean home, 266
Mines in Korea, 227
Ming dynasty, 199
Ming, General, his funeral, 221
Mission, Roman Catholic, at Niu-chwang, 128;
at Pekin, siege of the, 149;
at Seoul, 254
Mochi-Shan, coal mines at, 125
Moji, Straits of, 285
Mokpo, 225
Monte Corvino, appointed first Bishop of Pekin, 376
Moonkov-Sarde Mountain, 42
Moscow, 26
Mujiks, their character, 111
Mukden, 68;
journey to, 78-86;
impressions of, 88;
mode of locomotion, 89;
plan of the city, 91;
public edifices, 92;
Imperial Palace, 92, 97;
interior, 93;
character of the people, 94;
system of local government, 95;
the yamen, 95;
reception given by the Governor, 96-100;
number of dishes, 98;
visit to the Imperial Tombs, 100-4;
epidemic of cholera, 105;
journey from, 109-18
Muraviev, Count, 59
Myssowa, 55