| + + + | Am. Hist. R. 11: 128. O. ‘05. 590w. |
“It seems hardly too much to say that he has here laid the foundation stone for the critical study of early Japanese institutions. The author’s style is clear for the most part. The author is to be congratulated on having successfully accomplished a difficult piece of pioneer work.”
| + + — | Nation. 80: 57. Ja. 19, ‘05. 1060w. |
Asakawa, K. Russo-Japanese conflict: its causes and issues. [**]$2. Houghton.
Dr. Asakawa “has made a most illuminating and complete statement of the needs and aspirations of the Japanese people, which led them to take up arms against Russia.” (R. of Rs.) “He accepts tacitly the economic interpretation of history upon which Karl Marx and his followers insist, proving that the vast increase in the population of Japan requires an outlet on the Asiatic mainland, and setting forth the right and interests recently acquired by Japan in both Manchuria and Korea.... The book contains portraits of the statesmen who figure in its pages and may be taken as a valuable contribution to contemporary history from the end of the war with China through the diplomatic correspondence immediately following the outbreak of hostilities.” (Dial). The author is lecturer on the civilization and history of East Asia at Dartmouth college.
“No subject of a neutral power could have written a more impartial account of the long diplomatic engagement which preceded the outbreak of hostilities in the far East. The special and quite unusual virtue of this book is the elimination of moral standards and patriotic sentiment from the discussion of a present-day conflict.” Ferdinand Schwill.
| + + + | Am. J. Soc. 10: 701. Mr. ‘05. 170w. |
“His whole statement is cool, temperate, and wonderfully free from heat or special pleading.”
| + + | Critic. 47: 92. Jl. ‘05. 200w. |
“A clear and logical presentation of the cause of his native land, with an endeavor to make an unprejudiced statement of the side of its adversaries also. In the latter effort he is as successful as anyone could reasonably expect, his desire to quote from Russian authorities wherever they have spoken amounting to solicitude. Of the broad causes leading up to hostilities, Dr. Asakawa tells us little not already known. But in details and the marshalling of facts he is far fuller than anyone preceding him.” Wallace Rice.