Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-20
STATE DEPARTMENT DENIES
NOTE WILL BE SENT TO JAPAN

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-Rumors to
the effect that the state department is
about to address protest to Japan
against her attitude in Manchurla and
that this was to be done upon the in
stance of the government met with
unequivocal denial at the state depart
ment.
It is admitted that complaints have
been made to the department that
American trade is suffering in the
orient, but 1t Is believed that other
causes than Japans attitude are prin-
cipally responsible.
Information from unofficial and in
dividual sources evidencing the agrees
siveness of Japan in Manchuria has
been accommodating in the state depart
ment for some time. That this condi-
ton is irritating in increasing degree
to China is also matter of knowledge
here.
1t is said with authority, however,
that in no manner has the Chinese
government brought the matter to the
attention of the American government,
and no further report on the subject is
looked for.
A remarkable explanation of the at
titude of our government in this inn
portant matter is developed as the
result of inquiry directed toward Of
JiCldlS WIN CdnllOb OC quOeCNf pNS 80 y
In positions to direct our policies.
America Losing Trade
In effect it is as follows: 1t is
frankly admitted that America is los
ing her commercial foothold in the
orient This loss. however. is not
charged to Japan. Rather, it is as
serted to be the effect of the growing
tendency toward internal governmental
regulation in the United States.
AS an illustration of this, attention
is called to these facts:
Five years ago flour, in barrels, was
being shipped to the orient from the
northwest; steel rails from Pittsburg
and cotton in bales from Texas. These
shipments were made possible because
of an exceedingly low freight rate ar
rived at by a railroad combination.
This rate has been condemned by our
courts as a conspiracy against trade,
and the development of this trade has
been abandoned. The domestic war,
as it is characterized, against the
Standard Oil company. which is credit
ed with the largest oriental trade of
any American enterprise, is declared
to have been disastrously effective in
the orient, while the tabacco and cot
ton trade goods are said to have been
dealt heavily in through the operation
of the railroad legislation here.
From this point 1t seemed easy for
government officials here, conversant
with foreign matters, to view Japanese
commercial aggression in Manchuria
with a greater degree Of complaisance
than would be the case in the face of
an urgent domestic demand for gov
b ernmental assistance. Japan, 1t is as
serted, can without great difficulty
Justify everything she has done in
Manchuria as sanctioned by the "open
door, policy initiated by the late Sec
rotary Hay and adhered to by the
greater nations, including Japan.
May Not Bear Light
While Japan may justify these things
through the open door policy, it has
been charged that there exists evidence
of her use of many methods and prac-
tees which might not bear the light of
impartial investigation. Besides her
claim to an equal footing with other
nations in Manchuria on the "open
door, basis, she has, it is asserted,
obtained many valuable concessions
through which her control of the rail-
road and telegraphic facilities is prac-
tically completes
This control is known to be used
primarily in the interest of Japanese
tradesmen and to the detriment of all
foreign competitors. This disadvan-
tage is, of course, being felt by Ameri-
can tradesmen, as we'll as by those of
other foreign nations. AS the trade
of Germany, England and other ma
tions is more valuable than the Ameri-
can trade. and as these nations are
what is termed highly commercially
organized, it would not be great sur
prise to American diplomacy to hear
of protests from these quarters against
Japanese aggression.
There is nothing in Secretary Hays
pronunciation of the open door" poll
Icy which partakes of the nature of an
agreement with any nation looking to
its maintenance. For this reason, 1t
is predicted that should a combination
of protests be made and any movement
initiated by foreign nations. the sup
port which it would receive from this
country would be no more than moral.