The Washington herald., 1907-10-20

The Washington correspondent OF the
New York sun telegraphs his paper as
follows
Early in the present year when the
aEu-American agitation in Japan was
rampant and the japanese ministry found
itself beset by violent attacks from a
strong opposition IN which the war spirit
was rampant. the ministry seemed TO
have satisfied the United States govern
ment Of its friendllness and TO have sue
ceeded in relieving the anxiety that pre-
vailed in Washington. Il is understood
mat NJ that time the assurances which
the Roosevelt administration received OF
Japan's desire 20 maintain friendly rela-
uons were prohered in a spirit that left
no doubt of their sincerity. The difficult
Ties with which the ministry at Tokyo
had TO contend were thoroughly under
stood here and excited a sympathetic
feeling, for the government had on sev-
eral occasions found itself embarrassed
IN the conduct Of its international rela-
tions by similar agitation in the United
states directed against foreign nations
but engineered mainly for domestic po-
AticaI purposes. Jingoism was no new
thing to The national authorities in Wash
ington.
Faced a Real Crisis.
At that time the ruling power in Japan
found itself facing domestic crisis
Hundreds Of thousands of soldiers and
sailors who had participated IN the war
with Russia We're angry over the sudden
ending Of the struggle They felt that
they had been cheated OF their prize lust
as II was within their grasp They, as
Well as many others In the empire be-
heved that If it had not been for the
interposition Of President Roosevelt Rus
sla would have been compelled TO paw
Japan an indemnity equal to the cost Of
the prosecution Of the war by the jap
anese government When the japanese
school trouble arose in san Francisco.
followed by attacks on japanese subjects
residing on the Pacific Coast. the latent
war spirit was revived among the hun
dreds Of thousands who had been with
draWn from the presence Of the enemy at
the moment when crushing victory seemed
certain Agttators who had no other OBJ
ject than TO put themselves into power.
found In the Pacific Coast occurrences a
theme that would bear fruit in its effect
upon the disappointed soldiers and sail
ors- They sought to create the impress
sion that the Tokyo ministry was pusil-
luminous IN not forcing an issue with the
United States, and succeeded to a marked
degree. In the face Of this condition the
ministry remained friendly to the Ameri-
can government. and apparently con-
vinced It that the jingoism Of the oppo-
sition would have no effect whatever to-
ward inducing the ministry to abandon
its prOfessed feeling OF good will and
wish to avoid trouble.
Fleet Move stirs Feeling.
The explanation Of the attitude of the
japanese government relieved the feeling
Of anxiety that prevailed here. But
few months later all the friendly assur-
ances Of Japan were allowed to count for
nothing when the anti-Amefican jingoism
was revived in that country for partisan
purposes. Reports that Japan was buy
ing war material We're accepted as meaning
only that she was getting ready for hos
tilities with the United States. And right
at that time, when the most conservative
action was necessary to show the Japa-
nese government that its assurances were
appreciated, the American battle-ship
fleet was ordered 10 the Pacific Ocean.
Prom that action has come the danger
which is now beginning To be appreciated.
1t is doubtful If anybody would set up
the claim that the government did not
have the right to send its war ships wher-
ever IL pleased within the limits OF its
own possessions. There has beer. no OBJ
lection to the cruise Of the fleet on that
score. The objection lies in the policy Of
exciting the suspicion Of a nation which
felt that the friendly spirit It had exhib-
tied when the original attempt To create
friction was made was entitled to re-
spect.
"Pin Prick to Japan.
Sending the fleet 20 the Pacific is a Din
prick which has been felt by Japan In
spite Of all the official cocaine that has
been used to avert the pain.
The belief apparent in certain ad-
ministration circles that the report Of
the purchase Of war material by Japan
and OF great activity in the japanese
army and navy mean nothing less than
that Japan is getting ready to tight the
United States Is not entirely unanimous
in Washington. An argument to the
contrary of equal If not better plausi- |
bility Is being presented. japan II fs
pointed out has enough to do for years
10 come to carry out policies that affect |
her more intimately than any matter I'm
oh Ha
cerned. The status of China was not
fixed by the result Of the Russo-Japanese
war. In that vast empire there is much
discomfort, which may take definite form
in revolutionary outbreak with the
passing away OF the Empress Dowager /
The crisis that confronted the powers Of /
the civilized world seven years ago. the /
period Of the Boxer troubles. would an 4
pear. European governments would prob 4
ably send armies 10 China for the os-
tensible purpose Of protecting their sub /
jects and the interests of those subjects. |
Suspicious of Europe.
Japan is suspicious Of European gov
ernments- She has never forgotten OF /
forgiven the manner in which she was
deprived OF the possession Of Port Arthur
after her war with China. and. Of course
she believes that some of the nations Of |
Europe have never ceased to |
look with eyes Of cupidity on the rich
ness OF the Flowery Kingdom. It is con-
tended in certain quarters here that it is
plain that in whatever steps Japan Is
taking to return to war footing she has
In mind not the United States. which al
ways stood shoulder 10 shoulder with her
IN the effort to prevent the territorial
partition OF China, but continental Eu-
rope.
Her treaty of 1905 with England was
negotiated for the specific purpose of pre-
venting European aggression in China A 4
perusal Of that treaty viii show reasons