AWAKENING OF THE EAST 419

sculpture and painting.' To quote a Japanese writer
(Nitobe) : 'Schools were opened for the study of foreign
languages; academies shot up, where youths could receive
instruction in military and naval tactics; raw recruits were
drilled ; foundries and smithies sprang into existence, and
belfries were molested to furnish metal for arsenals/ As
Mr. H. G. Wells has put it: Japan " made all European
progress seem sluggish and tentative by comparison." The
result was soon seen in her aggression in Korea and China
referred to already (1894), her alliance with England (1902),
and her epoch-making victory over Russia (1904-5). The
last was the outcome of the Russian occupation of Port
Arthur, from which Japan had been previously ousted. The
' Battle of the Sea of Japan,' observes Professor Will Durantf
" was a turning point in modem history. Not only did it end
the expansion of Russia into Chinese territory; it ended
also the rule of Europe in the East, and began that resurrec-
tion of Asia which promises to be the central political pro-
cess of our century. All Asia took heart at the sight oi
the little island empire defeating the most populous power
in Europe; China plotted her revolution, and India began
to dream1 of freedom."*

i. Ibid., p. 919.