[2] Published in _Scribner's Magazine_.
[3] A few facts should be kept in mind: (_a_) Some Japanese
writers as well as foreigners claim that Japan is not at
all overpopulated now, considering that she is becoming
an industrial nation. Japan proper has 394 inhabitants to
the square mile; England and Wales, 618; Belgium, 665;
Netherlands, 534; Italy, 332; Germany, 325. (_b_) Japan has
urged claims on Shantung of which the density of population
is 525 to the square mile. Of course she has not desired to
settle that country, only to control and manage its mines,
railroads, ports, commerce--and this would give practically
political control. (_c_) Certain writers claim that the
Japanese soil is not now properly cultivated to produce the
best results agriculturally. Large preserves are held out
of cultivation in crown lands, as was done earlier in Great
Britain and Germany. The people are expert in rice culture
and wish to eat rice. They might use to excellent advantage
much other land than they do, land entirely suitable for
other food production, though not for rice.
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