by the central government. In Hokkaido, moreover, a small measure of local administration has been granted, and this will be enlarged as rapidly as possible. But Japanese rule in Formosa is worthy of special consideration, because it is illustrative of what Japan can do in bringing enemies under her jurisdiction into harmony with her government. Japanese colonial government in Formosa may be called a success.

When Formosa 1 was ceded by China to Japan in 1895, it was well understood that the Japanese had no easy task in pacifying the Chinese, civilizing the savages, and thus bringing the beautiful isle, with its great resources, under cultivation and proper restraint. But, by a wise combination of military force and civil government, Japan has achieved a remarkable success.

At first, for a brief period, Formosan affairs were under a separate department of State, that of Colonization; but when administrative economy and reform were demanded, this department was abolished, and the Governor-General of Formosa, appointed by the Emperor upon recoinmendation of the Cabinet, was made directly responsible to the Cabinet. At first, of course, mistakes were made, and a great deal of incapacity and corruption manifested themselves in official circles. But, by a gradual weeding out of the incompetent and the dishonest, the civil service has been greatly improved. Especially in deal

1 "The Island of Formosa" (Davidson) is invaluable.

ing with opium smoking and foot-binding among the Chinese has the Japanese government shown remarkable tact. And it has also encouraged local administration among the natives to the extent of employing them in subordinate positions where they can be trained for future usefulness.

The general policy of Japan in Formosa has been stated succinctly by Count Kabayama: "Subjugate it from one side by force of arms, and then confer on the subjugated portion the benefits of civil government." It is the expressed determination to make Formosa, "body, soul, and spirit," a part of their empire; and reliable testimony shows that they are making a success of their labors.1

We have now noticed the chief features of local self-government as applied in Japan to prefectures, counties, cities, towns, and villages. Although there are many enactments against which the democratic ideas of Americans would revolt, the system is certainly well adapted to the present needs and capabilities of Japan. It is an interesting fact that Japan's political institutions have been developed, since the Restoration of 1868, from the top downward. Japan the people are conservative, and the government is progressive; and the people are simply under the necessity of growing up to political privileges that are gradually bestowed upon them. And we may feel assured that, as the people show themselves capable of exercising power, their privileges

1 See Appendix.

In

will be gradually extended. We should not find fault with Japan, because in only a few years she has not leaped into the enjoyment of political privileges which the English and American people ob. tained only after centuries of slow and often bloody development; but we should congratulate Japan, because by peaceful measures she has gradually removed herself entirely out of the pale of Oriental absolutism, beyond even despotic Russia, and may be classed with her model, Germany.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Especially helpful are Iyenaga's "Constitutional Development of Japan," Wigmore's articles in the "Nation," and several papers in the Transactions Asiatic Society of Japan. See also the author's "Local Self-Government in Japan" in the "Political Science Quarterly" for June, 1892, and “A Japanese State Legislature" in the "Nation" for February 27, 1890. On the subject of Formosa, besides Davidson's book already mentioned, see chap. xiv. of Ransome's "Japan in Transition" and pp. 167, 169, of Diosy's "New Far East."

10

CHAPTER XI

JAPAN AS A WORLD POWER

OUTLINE OF TOPICS: Standards of world power; conscription; draft and exemption; army; arms and ammunition; officers of the army; navy; types of Japanese war-vessels; coal supply; "Bluejacket Spirit"; Japan as a sea power; growth of cosmopolitan spirit; Anglo-Japanese Alliance, — natural, guarantee of peace, confession of England's weakness, admission of Japan's strength; Japan's responsibility; meaning for Christianity; the United States a silent partner. - Bibliography.

I

T is a sad commentary on the present standards

of civilization that a consideration of Japan as

a world power requires special attention to military and naval affairs. It is rather a strange coincidence that it was not until little Japan in 1894 showed that she could easily overcome immense China that the "Great Powers" were willing to revise their treaties with her on terms of equality and admit her to the comity of nations. And it is another strange coincidence that it was the Boxer troubles which gave Japan another opportunity to display the efficiency of her military and naval organizations, and win such laurels side by side with troops of the other "Powers," that Great Britain, the mightiest of them all, abandoned her time-honored policy of "splendid isolation" and sought Japan's assistance by means