To be quite frank, then, the Japanese are what we should term realists.  Consequently their foreign policy is inspired by the maxims which actuated all nations down to the year 1914, and still move nearly all of them to-day.  In fact, the only Powers that have fully and authoritatively repudiated them as yet are Bolshevist Russia, and to a large extent the United States.  Holding thus to the old dispensation, Japan entered the war in response to a definite demand made by the British government.  The day before Britain declared war against Germany the British Ambassador at Tokio officially inquired whether his government could count upon the active co-operation of the Mikado’s forces in the campaign about to begin.  On August 4th Baron Kato, having in the meanwhile consulted his colleagues, answered in the affirmative.  Three days later another communication reached Tokio from London, requesting the immediate co-operation of Japan, and on the following day it was promised.  The motive for this haste was credibly asserted to be Britain’s apprehension lest Germany should transfer Kiaochow to China, and reserve to herself, in virtue of Article V of the Convention of 1898, the right of securing after the war “a more suitable territory” in the Middle Empire or Republic.  Thereupon they began operations which were at first restricted to the China seas, but were afterward extended to the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and finally to the Mediterranean.  The only task that fell to their lot on land was that of capturing Kiaochow.  But whatever they set their hands to they carried out thoroughly, and to the complete satisfaction of their European allies.

For many years the people of Nippon have been wending slowly, but with tireless perseverance and unerring instinct, toward their far-off goal, which to the unbiased historian will seem not merely legitimate but praiseworthy.  Their intercourse with Russia was the story of one long laborious endeavor to found a common concern which should enable Japan to make headway on her mission.  Russia was just the kind of partner whose co-operation was especially welcome, seeing that it could be had without the hitches and set-backs attached to that of most other Great Powers.  The Russians were never really intolerant in racial matters, nor dangerous in commercial rivalry.  They intermarried freely with all the so-called inferior races and tribes in the Tsardom, and put all on an equal footing before the law.  Twenty-three years ago I paid a visit to my friend General Tomitch, the military governor of Kars, and I found myself sitting at his table beside the Prefect of the city, who was a Mohammedan.  The individual Russian is generally free from racial prejudices; he has no sense of the “yellow peril,” and no objection to receive the Japanese as a comrade, a colleague, or a son-in-law.