The Washington herald., 1907-06-12
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 12. 1881
The Iananese Question.

There is no reason to believe that the
japanese government has any sympathy
with or responsibility for the warlike
agitation that has suddenly sprung up in
the Island Empire. All the information
at hand goes 90 show that it is the work
of the opposition Progressive party. which
appears 10 be conducting an organized
campaign for the overthrow of the SaionU
ministry, on the ground that It is too sub
servie1t 70 American influence reso-
luton adopted by the Progressive party
declares that the attitude Of our gov
ernmeut toward that in Washington has
so far been unsatisfactory to the nation.
and it is necessary that proper steps
should be taken by our government r..
order to maintain the national dignity ami
permanently insure the safety Of the
rights and property Of our compatrlots il
America"
In view Of the actual status Of the vari-
Gus matters about which the japanese
minister has made complaint. this reso-
luton is little short of absurd. japanese
rights have been amply protected by Wis
count Aoki and tile measures taken by
the United States TO maintain those rights
have been prompt and effective. In the
japanese school question the Federal gov
eminent went much further than q good
many people thought il had any right 10
60, under o-r Constitution. and I'm taking
the course it cid it was prompted by a
desire TO DO exact justice. as well as by
a purpose to remove all cause for friction
between traditionally friendly nations.
All this seems to have been forgotten
or ignored by the japanese Jngoes. who
attempt 10 imhue their partisans with the
IDEA that Japan has surrendered 10 fear
Of the United States. just as in this coun-
try there are people who say they think
we backed down in the san Francisco
school matter because we were unpre-
pared for war with Japan To the iingoss
on both sides of the Pacific may be com
mendeJ Secretary Roots statement. In
his address to the American Society of
International Law, that the real question
underlying the relations Of the United
States and Japan is not that Of war. bur
Of the creation IN each country Of a state
Of public feeling that would break the
long-standing friendship of the two ua-
tions and lead the two peoples 70 face
each other across the Pacific in future
years with anger and resentful feelings.
out Of such feelings. carefully nurtpred
by reckless and irresponsible agitation in
either country. II is conceivable that war
might ultimately come, and the removal
Of all cause for the feeling on either side
was the object Of Mr.. Roots diplomacy.
What was to he the effect" he asked
In the address from which we have lust
quoted, upon that proud. sensitive. highly
civilized people across the Pacific Of the
diseourtesy- insult, imputations Of inferi-
ority, and abuse aimed at them in the
columns Of American newspapers and
from the platforms Of public meetings
What would be the effect upon our own
people OF the responses that natural re-
sentiment FOR such treatment would elicit
from the Japanese" We are likely To get
very practical answers 10 both these cues.
lions If the current agitation keeps up
on both sides Of the Pacific Already we
see japanese resentment OF real or mag |
mary wrongs met on this side with talk /
Of some sort OF rebUke 10 the high and
mighty japanese. and the whole business
arises out Of a triling incident that has
been practically settled by the ordinary /
and conventional processes Of diplomacy. |
Behold what a great fire a little spark |
klndleth!