The Washington times., 1908-09-01
Japan IN FEAR
OF CHINESE PACT
Continued from First Page)


the East. It is not remarkable. indeed,
that the Japanese should regard him in
this light; and II is not remarkable that
so regarding him. they should esteem
his nomination as at least significant.
The speech Of Secretary Taft IN Shang-
hal. well nigh a year ago, in which. as
the spokesman Of the American Admin
istration. he emphatically assured the
Chinese that the United States stands
and viii continue to stand for Chinese
autonomy and the open door, and IS
willing to employ whatever measure
may be necessary 10 preserve those
two conditions, was sensation IN the
Orient.
II was known from Lhassa 70 Yezo
before IL had attrs cted serious attention
in the United States. Chinese every
where accepted il is the practical ten
der of alliance, Chinese newspapers
have got in the habit Of referring 10 the
United States as their great and good
friend and ally. Chinese and japanese
alike expect that the author OF this
most significant speech is going TO be
the next President; but If not then IL
must be Bryan-suddeuIy and sansa-
tionally converted To The view Of the
ultra-JapOphObes.
An these aspects or our relations with
Japan might be expected 10 have mark
ed influence on the public opinion Of
a country so sensitive as Japan. Add
fleet is in the Pacific, making a strik-
ing display of American naval power;
that the United Stb.es has strikInElv
expanded its naval program; that the
Australasians have Ceceived the fleet
with no attempt 10 conceal their salts
faction in the belief that It represents
American determination TO defy Japan
and II is increasingly apparent Why the
NippOnese might reasonably be a trite
nervous.
Complicate this once more with the
recent development that another Amen
can feet is preparing for foreign SER
vice, and IL does nOJ appear at all re-
markable that Ambassador Takahlra
should have called mysteriOusly on
President Roosevelt Saturday, and
thence have gone fer a long conference
with Secretary of State Root
Takahira's Visit.
The natural inference of diplomats,
army and navy officers and others deep
ly interested in these developments, is
that the Japanese ambassador inter
-upted his vacation 20 make the mys-
terious visit, under orders OF his gov
ernment, and that his purpose was TO
learn whatever he could in the mos di-
rect way, about the reports that an al
lance between the United States and
China was impending.
Two American aeets IN the Pacific at
the LllLlC EUtL dll dLlid4Ct IS announced
would extremely embarrass Japan in
any effort 10 protest against IL. The
Japanese people and government realize
all this, and The mildeSt suggestion as
TO the purpose Of Baron Takahira's visit
to Oyster Bay is that on account Of the
public opinion Of the japanese people 1t
may be necessary somewhat 10 rear
range plans for the reception to the
American fleet in NippOn's waters
The sLrahEG series of condolences
which has amassed together so many
factors calculated 10 give concern TO
the Japanese, and brought them TO bear
on sentiment in that country all at
once, is not very hard TO explain. ia the
main, so that Americans viii under
stand.
The exigencies of a political campaign,
the TAFT speech at Shanghai, the prOpa-
ganda for a ChinO-American alliance
all these things are given vastly more
meaning in Japan than here. Altogether,
these things have unquestionably united
TO bring about a situation which has its
rrassments and difficulties.
Not the least of these is the fact that,
after Ambassador Takahira had talked
over matters with lir. Roosevelt, the
latter sent him to Secretary Root This
would seem to suggest that there is
really something afoot, the details of
which, so far as proper. the President
desired should be communicated through
diplomatic channels.