“It must be over this same troublesome question—the Chinese ships,” Impey replied readily. “In my opinion he has gone to intercept them and thus prevent the United States from seizing them first.”
“Then we can do nothing,” Phil exclaimed, deeply disappointed.
“I don’t see how you can prevent it,” Impey answered seriously, inwardly smiling at the changed attitude of the two midshipmen. “Japan is under a military government and controls the actions of every person within the empire. It is safe to believe that the United States government will have no news of this move until all danger of interruption from the war-ships in Manila Bay is passed. Therefore there will be no instructions to your captain, and without them he would hardly dare attempt an act which might lead to war. He must stay in Yokohama harbor while Captain Inaba is hastening with a fast and doubtless powerful force to seize the Chinese ships.”
“Suppose Japan does seize these ships,” Sydney said quietly. “Where is the harm to us?”
“I see you have not been in the ambassador’s confidence,” Impey replied quickly. “China has given to the United States government a sphere of influence to balance those of Japan, Russia, Germany and the other countries of Europe. This sphere is immensely valuable and coveted by Japan, which has without China’s permission begun a railroad connecting the coal and iron fields with the railroad won from Russia. Japan is now wealthy and lacks nothing but war-ships. With the addition of the new Chinese navy she will be in a position to push her railroad clear through into the American sphere, in fact, force America into the embarrassing position of refusing this valuable concession from China.”
While Impey talked, the lads’ eyes opened wide in astonishment. They could not believe that such international dishonesty was possible.
“How do you know all this?” Sydney asked in bewilderment.
Impey shrugged his shoulders.
“I have been born and brought up in the Far East. To me the undercurrent of Oriental diplomacy is an open book.”
“Does the ambassador know this?” Phil inquired seriously.