62 THE PROBLEM OF THE PACIFIC

copper mines with up-to-date technical equip- ment in various provinces of Central China ¹:—

Provinces.

Shensi

...

Shantung.

Hupeh

Chihli

Ho-Han

Kiang-si.

Anh-wei

Hunan

Kiang-su

Sze-chwan

Kweichow

Yunnan

Iron.

Coal.

Copper.

9

34

3

8

29

-

21

10

7

48

2

28

14

8

3

2

3

2

44

20

177

61

It has been mentioned in one of the preceding chapters that Japanese industries needed iron. The desire to obtain the necessary supplies of iron is thus perfectly legitimate. Japan's endea- vour to acquire concessions for the production of iron and coal is not, therefore, a proof of the Imperialism of her policy. But, as the French saying goes, Le ton fait la chanson. Japan is trying to get hold of the entire iron industry of China. She is doing so by the veiled seizure of political and administrative control of the respective provinces of China. To Europe and America this is presented under the guise of the nebulous formula of special interests in the regions of China adjacent to Japan." Man- churia and Shantung are first in that list. When Japan succeeds, she will have deprived China

66

1 These data relate to 1915.