If the full significance of this movement is not yet discernible, there is enough evidence to show that the problem will rank among the greatest that the politics of the twentieth century can disclose. Not only one part of the civilised globe will be affected by the rise of a dominant Asia, for the whole world will be confronted equally with the necessity of resisting whatever indications may appear. If it is difficult to devise an arrangement short of total exclusion that does not admit an annual influx of a large number of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Indian immigrants into the lands affected by this invasion, it is at least tolerably certain that if the existing flow of Asiatics across the Pacific to America and Australasia continues unabated for a further decade, the areas now menaced will be inhabited by a white minority.
Problem of the Century
It appears evident that the continuation of the Far East under existing conditions is doubtful, if not impossible, in view of the awakening of Asia and the visible prejudices that Western democracy entertains against the Asiatic. Yet if the clash of conflicting interests ultimately precipitates a struggle between the two great racial divisions of the world, there can be no doubt that the moral teachings of humanity will be discredited.
ANGUS HAMILTON
GREAT DATES IN THE HISTORY OF JAPAN
| B.C. | To 500 A.D. |
|---|---|
| 660 | Supposed foundation of the Japanese Empire by Jimmu |
| A.D. | |
| 3 | Emperor Suinin flourished. Abolition of the practice of burying retainers alive on the master’s death |
| 59 | Reputed Korean immigration |
| 125 | Legendary hero Yamato Daké flourished |
| 202 | Reputed conquests in Korea by Empress Jingō Kōgō |
| 397 | Probable introduction of Chinese civilisation, through Korea |
| 500–1000 | |
| 552 | Introduction of Buddhism |
| 645 | The Taikwa Laws of Kōtōku |
| 675 | Encouragement of Buddhism by Temmu |
| 689 | The Laws reduced to a written code |
| 750 | Development of the Samurai class |
| 782 | Emperor Kwammu |
| 800 | Fusion of Shintō with Buddhism by Kōbō Daishi |
| 889 | High offices become hereditary in the Fujiwara family |
| 1000–1500 | |
| 1155 | Wars of the Taira and Minamoto clans |
| 1186 | Victory of the Minamoto |
| 1192 | The Minamoto Shogunate established. Japanese feudal system |
| 1220 | Supremacy of the Hōjō family |
| 1275 | Attempt of Kublai Khan to invade Japan |
| 1281 | Destruction of the Chinese (Mongol) Armada |
| 1333 | Ashikaga revolt and overthrow of the Hōjō |
| 1337 | Rival Mikados of the North and South for fifty-five years |
| 1500–1800 | |
| 1543 | First appearance of Europeans (Portuguese) in Japan |
| 1549 | Francis Xavier attempts to introduce Christianity |
| 1574 | Overthrow of Ashikaga by Nobunaga |
| 1581 | Rapid development of Christianity |
| 1582 | Death of Nobunaga. Supremacy of his general Hideyoshi (Taikō Sama) |
| 1583 | Envoys sent from feudal lords to the Pope |
| 1592 | Hideyoshi’s invasion of Korea |
| 1598 | Death of Hideyoshi. Accession to power of Iyeyasu |
| 1606 | Prohibition of Christianity |
| 1615 | Restoration of Minamoto Shōgunate |
| 1617 | Foreign trade limited to two ports |
| 1621 | Japanese prohibited from foreign travel |
| 1624 | Decree of expulsion against all foreigners except Dutch and Chinese |
| 1637 | Peasant and Christian revolt |
| 1641 | Dutch and Chinese restricted to Nagasaki |
| 1694 | Development of trade-guilds |
| 1792 | Russian squadron visits Japanese coast |
| 1800–1867 | |
| 1804 | Russia attempts unsuccessfully to open relations with Japan |
| 1818 | Captain Gordon at Yedo Bay |
| 1844 | Holland makes proposals for extension of trade |
| 1848 | Visit of American and French warships to Japanese waters |
| 1853 | Commodore Perry in Yedo Bay |
| 1854 | First Japanese Treaty with a Western Power (U.S.A.) in March. First Treaty with Great Britain in October |
| 1855 | Russian Treaty |
| 1856 | Dutch Treaty |
| 1859 | Readmission of Christian missionaries |
| 1861 | Attack on British Legation |
| 1862 |
Murder of Mr. Richardson Japanese Embassy to the Treaty Powers |
| 1863 | Bombardment of Kago-shima by British |
| 1864 |
Bombardment of Shimonoseki by international squadron Contest and reconciliation of the two great clans (Sats-cho) |
| 1866 |
Kei-ki, last Shōgun New Conventions with Western Powers |
| 1867 |
Accession of Mutsu-hito as Mikado Appointment of Europeans: French military and British naval instructors Resignation of Shōgun Kei-ki |
| 1868–1907 | |
| 1868 | Restoration of imperial power |
| 1869 |
The Emperor takes up residence at Yedo, re-named Tokio.
Emperor’s “charter” oath The Daimiyo surrender feudal rights |
| 1871 | Feudalism abolished |
| 1872 | Establishment of religious toleration |
| 1873 |
Adoption of Gregorian Calendar Universal Military Service |
| 1874 | Saga rebellion. Formosan expedition |
| 1875 | Saghalin exchanged for Kuriles |
| 1876 | Korean Treaty |
| 1877 | Revolt and death of Saigo |
| 1879 | Annexation of Riu-Kiu Islands |
| 1889 |
Promulgation of the Constitution. Establishment of local
self-government. Anti-foreign reaction |
| 1890 | First Imperial Parliament. New civil and commercial codes |
| 1894 | War with China |
| 1895 | Victory over China. Formosa annexed |
| 1897 | Revised customs tariff. Gold standard. Freedom of Press and public meetings |
| 1899 | New Treaties on terms of equality. Opening of the whole country |
| 1900 | Expedition against Boxers in China |
| 1902 | Anglo-Japanese agreement |
| 1904 | War with Russia |
| 1905 |
Victory over Russia. Japan obtains Port Arthur, S.
Saghalin, control of S. Manchuria, and protectorate of Korea Anglo-Japanese alliance |
| 1907 |
Franco-Japanese Agreement Russo-Japanese Convention |
| 1910 | Korea annexed |
| 1911 | Anglo-Japanese Agreement |
JAPAN
THE COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE