The Washington herald., 1907-06-12
NO FEARS OF JAPAN
Only yellow Peril" Worry
ing Is Saffron Press.
DEPLORE RABID EDITORIALS
Articles Published in
Both America aud Japan Regarded
by the Administration AS More
Dangerous Than Any Other Factor.
Agitation Attributed to Politics.

The administra ton Is convinced that
tho relations between Japan and the
United States will continue 10 be cordial
unless newspaper agitation in this country
and Japan ultimately succeeds In working
up a condition OF III feeling that must lead
inevitably 10 misunderstanding and dis
trust. In yellow Journalism lies the
greatest dangeT to the maintenance Of the
friendIIness that has existed so long be-
tween the two governments and the Japa-
nese and the American people. according
to the opinion expressed in official circles
The administration is helpless. Of course.
In its desire to prevent incendiary edi-
torials and news dispatches. or to stop
the infiammatory utterances OF mischief
makers. but II feels that patriotic press
by silence or moderation can do much 10
prevent wholly unnecessary state OF
feeling that is fraught with danger.
The administration cannot make
formal appeal to the press TO observe
moderation without appearing 10 recog-
nize that the relations between Japan and
the United States are not satisfactory.
Such an appeal might lead 10 misunder-
standing IN Japan. as well as in this
country, particularly among the anti
American and anti-Japanese agitators. II
is maintained in the highest official quar-
ters. and there is not the slightest reason
10 doubt the honesty OF the declaration,
that the relations between the two gov
ernmeuts are cordial. and that there is no
disposition on either side 20 disturb them.
Might Infiame Public.
The officials do not overlook the fact,
however. that exaggeration OF unimpor-
tant incidents by unthinling or designing
agitators may create a popular senti-
ment in either or both countries detri-
mental 10 the maintenance of lnterna-
tional harmony.
In a fair. conslderate. and patriotic
press the administration sees the greatest
hope of keeping alive the mutual respect
and admiration that has become tradI-
ton in TIE dealings Of Japan and the
United States.
Among the highest officers Of the gov
ernment there Is apparently the warmest
feeling OF friendship for Japan and the
Japanese. one Of these said yesterday
that the attitude Of the japanese govern
nent had been entirely correct and that
no fear was felt that Il would eXaggerate
the Importance of the recent anti-Japan-
csc disturbances in san Francisco. This
country. he said had experienced just
such political agitat!ons as Japan was
experiencing.
Fifty years ago the American people
had been as sensitive Of foreign criticism
as the japanese are now, and he re-
called the uproar IN America over the
reflections upon American life and char
acter contained IN Charles Dickens
American Notes and Martin Chuzzle-
wit" Nowadays, he said, such criticisms
were met with humorous responses in
press and verse, and nobody wanted 10
/ fight the country whence they emanated
Some Of the japanese people. It was con-
tended. were passing through similar
experience. and in time would come 70
realize that a few Americans who were
anti-Japanese In sentiment. did not rep
resent the views Of the great mass OF
this country's population.
Attributed 10 Politics.
The government believes that II under
stands the reason FOR the ant-American
propaganda In Japan. Ii attributes the
agitation 20 politics against the party in
power. There are demagogues in Japan
as in America. and the Roosevelt admin
istration, with a keen remembrance OF the
attacks made upon It In the halls Of Con
gress, has a fellow-feellng Of sympathy
/ for the government OF Japan.
It was said yesterday in official circles
/ that the assaults on the japanese minis
I try by its political opponents were not
nearly as severe as some Of the attacks
| on the present administration, and.
| Furthermore. the criticisms Of the United
States in Japan were no more savage than
! the charges against Japan in the United
States Senate when the San Francisco
school question was an issue.
There is a greater feeling Of easiness in
oficial circles over the situation. Il IS be-
/ leved that the Japanese government
/ understands that tie United States Is
! friendly, and that every effort will be
made to provide protection for japanese
subjects in this country and otherwise
! observe treaty obligations In the mean
/ time, however no effort will be made to
| negotiate the proposed treaty between the
/ two countries. To do so while the anti
American agitation is rampant in Japan
would be unwise. IT IS asserted.
Decried In san Francisco.
Not only does the administration depre-
cate the japanese war talk. but It Is rep
resented that the more thoughtful people
! of San Francisco. which is the hot-bed Of
Such anti-Japanese feeling as there IS in
this country. are decrying the stories that
the relations Of the United States and
! Japan are being strained 70 the breaking
point.
Ex-N1ayor James D. Phelan, Of San
| Francisco, who called at the White House
yesterday, said:
/ IF the recent outbreak at San Fran
/ cisco is TO be taken as the basis for in
! ternational disturbance. we will have 70
| have all our labor troubles settled by the
/ Mikado. There was no outbreak; there Is
no race war in San Francisco. Two labor
union men were patronizing a japanese
! restaurant Other labor men questioned
their loyalty of eating in a nonunion
/ shop. The anger was directed against
/ the offending labor men, not against the
/ Japanese.
We in san Francisco consider that the
present tempest is nothing more than
| japanese politics. The outs in Japan are
! trying to make politics out Of the San
/ Francisco trouble, and in that way are
! trying to get in With the assistance Of
| the President, we have solved the Chi
nese question. Their numbers are gradu-
ally diminishing. With the assistance Of
the President, we have partially solved
1 the Japanese question"
/ Above all, he said that the japanese
must not be given citizenship, and ex-
pressed an opinion that the President had
receded from his demand for naturaliza-
/ tion of this race.
| President Returns Home.