THE FAR EAST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8190, 3 August 1912, Page 9

THE FAR EAST.

JAPANESE AND CHINESE DEVELOPMENT.

“Modem Movements in the East" was the title of an interesting: address delivered in the Y.M.C.A. hail last evening by the Kev. i\ It. Paton, of Victoria, wno is visiting New Zealand in connection with the Australasian Christian Students’ Union. Mr J. G. W. Aitaen presided.

The Japanese, said Mr Paton. were determined to pay the price of leadership, and they - believed that they were going to ic dominant in the Orient, it was their belief that a war would he neuessarv to attain their purpose. Japan woe determined never to allow any other Power to assume control of Korea., which she realised was too place from which a heavy blow could be stru—,• at her. This idea oi Korea being of strategical value to an enemy appeared to be the' reason lor the. brutality with which Japan was Japanising Korea and its institutions. Japan beueved that tbe world would In future be ruled from tbe Orient, and though tbe speaker did not believe she desired war. a„an would fight if her claims were disputed. The government now realised that an efficient moral manhood could not be developed without a religious . basis,, no matter how good education in the country might bo—a momentous decision,for a nonChristian government-to arrive at. Anothe rdeoislon of great importance on the part of the government of Japan was that the Christian religion was to bo placed on an equality with the ancient religions of the land. Certainly tbe supreme motive behind the government was not religion, hut efficiency, in order that the soldiers of , Japan might carry forward the flag and achieve her destiny. Crossing, over to China, . great changes were noticeable. Formerly tbs Chinese abhorred war, but now they -were preparing to fight, because they were absolutely determined that not ; one foot - of China should be given up to. a foreign Power. The Chinese army wan now being armed, drilled, and clothed as it had never been before, and this was only tending towards one result—war. In tbe direction of education great strides were being made in China. Political reforms were taking place, in the belief that only, a Parliament could redress grievances. The setting up of a Parliament had greatly united the nation, which was getting rid of the old • Jlanchu dynasty, believing that this was a means of stimulating progress. Similarly to Japan, China saw that moral reform was essential, and she was rapidly driving out the opium evil. The new government was awaro of the danger of unprincipled agitators spreading their ideas amongst the 70 per cent, of the country’s uneducated people, and It was resolved on education being a -marked feature ’of the new political • programme.. In addition, the government was going to try to develop the resources of the country and also .to develop tbo international commercial relations of China. All these forces were making for war between China and Japan, to decide the .mastery of the East- Such a, war could not take place without other nations being drawn in. Tbe Christian movement in the East was becoming a great factor, and the centre of spiritual development was Korea. A contribution of men would have to bo made if the spirit of Jesus was to be permeated in the East. Should this be done, the speaker thought the spiritual forces would*triumph over those other forces which made for war and division-