Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-26
THE ARBITRATION TREATY
Rebuke to Men Who Brew Trouble
Between East and West.
ASIAN YANKEES TRUE FRIENDS
japanese Government Abides by Its
Pledges-Not Looking for New
Worlds to Conquer.

Worlds to Conquer.
Matsuzo Nagai. Third Secretary Of the japanese
Embassy at Washington, in the Independent.
In reviewing international events one
may well keep in mind that there exist
multifarious interests for which political
games are often played by countries. as
much by those who have no direct con-
Germ as by those who have immediate in
terests. 1t may also be borne in mind
that nowhere is there lacking the mis-
chiefmaking spirit, whose Mephistophelian
playfulness, if left unchecked, has on va
rious occasions inflicted disastrous results
upon its victims. Having these facts In
view it is no wonder that so unwarranted
an excitement was caused a short while
ago over the relations between Japan and
America. All the admonitions and warn
ings constantly given proved Of no avail,
and the merits of the contention seemed
to the misguided and excited part of the
public to justify the beginning of hostil-
tiles between the two countries. which
have the unprecedented history of sim
cere and enduring friendship for more
than half a century.
Under the circumstances, no more eff1-
cient means can be conceived to allay
controversy between countries than the
conclusion of a general arbitration treaty.
by virtue Of which every cause which
might lead the countries to- war can be
peacefully considered. A hearty welcome
should therefore be given to the new ar
bitration treaty between the United States
and Japan, under which the whole fabric
of imaginary alarm has completely crum-
bled away.
High Craftsmanship.
1t may be quoted in the conclusion of
the present arbitration treaty that high
order Of craftsmanship was shown to the
world by the statesman who holds the
elevated position of Secretary of State.
1t is said that true craftsmanship is to
utilize opportunities, not merely for the
sake of settling particular questions of
moment. but to lead mankind to a higher
sense Of human civilization. When the
reader is told that the treaty Japan has
just entered into with America Is the f1rst
arbitration treaty to which Japan has
ever become a party, he will readily UNI
derstand what the writer means. 1t has
been the sincere desire and unremitted
effort Of the Japanese government-as the
archives of the peace conferences held at
The Hague, as we'll as the records kept or
the two cases of arbitration in which the
Japanese government willingly became
litigant, will amply prove-to avoid nos
Titles, which should only be resorted 10
after every conceivable means OF peace
full solution Of veXatiouS problems Is ex-
hausted. In the present arbitration treaty
Japan has given expression, in an explicit
manner. to the principle previously enun-
ciated by her. and has solemly pledged
herself to observe the same.
One who appreciates the position Japan
occupies in the far east must see that the
treaty is of great importance In another
direction. Is it not Japan who has heartliy
welcomed the advance of western civiliza-
ct tv,xo har dnnoofp9 the soil where
western civilization promises to bear It's
fruit Is to be found outside of the garden
where 1t has hourished in the past. then
the Flowery empire may justly assert Its
fertility by past evidences. 1t should be
remembered that, beyond Japan. there Is
another land bordering the vast expanse
of the Pacific ocean. 1t Is country OF
immense territory. OF great population
ity, yet to be exploited. That country. In
which a high civilization once prospered.
has not. unfortunately, kept its onward
progress, but, with the expansion or
western civilization, is bound to be mod
ernized. Japan has revealed to the east.
no less than to the west, how the civiliza-
ton of the west can be adapted to the
benefit of her people. and at the same
time she is the country which mas ex-
tracted the essence Of civilization derived
from China. In this unique position Japan
NATURALLY is more suited to fill the role I
a recOnciler of the customs, notions III
ideas of the west and the east, and, e.
FORE she should be permitted and en.yur-
aged to assume the part of an exemplar
in the propagation of modern culture and
progress in that large human community.
Importance may, therefore, be attached
as much to the conclusion or TINS nrst
general arbitration treaty in which an
Asiatic nation is q party as to the intro
duction of any other products of western
achievement. In such position Japan
cannot be insensible Of the responsibilities
froo fvy q fvo0 Inn n
upon her; yet she has stepped forward to
assume the added obligations which q
treaty like this lays upon her as civil
lied nation. 1t would be needless to re-
iterate that the already cautious and SEN
sible mind Of the japanese will cheerfully
look forward with hopefulness to the ideal
fulfillment of these sttpulatons. 1t may
we'll be said. Japan always abides by her
| pledges"
The fear is often expressed that the
prestige Japan has newly acquired In the
east as a military power may surely In
| duce her to take more arbitrary course
| in the handling Of affairs which may
arise Some apprehend that Japan. being
conscious of her power in the orient, may
ignore the faith she ought to keep, and
display a Machiavellian duplicity, con-
Quoting herself without that restraint
which modern nations ought to observe.
Such apprehensions are absolutely with
out foundation to any one who is CONVEX
SAINT with the history OF modern Japan
for he must be aware or the gulQlng spirit
embodied in the chapter oath taken by
the emperor at the outset of his reign.
The spirit which was therein announced
was that the nations course shall be con-
trolled by the highest ideals of the age.
and the nation must reap the fruits of the
best civilization. 1t is this spirit, as every
scholar of Japanese history of past gen.
erations agrees, which permeates the pol
icy of the administration Of national af
fairs. and which has brought to her that
fame of which she is now SO justly proud.
1t can be readily seen that the govern
ment has constantly. in framing it's pol
lev emphasized this fundamental and
guiding principle. The eagerness of the
Japanese people in adapting to themselves
the best theories and principles of the
present age, and in raising their position
among other peoples as a civilized nation.
has been intense: and the sincere efforts
made by the government to comply with
the peoples wish shave always gained
their hearty support. Consequently, it is
next to imp ossible that japan will capri
ciously alter her course heretofore pur-
sued and insidiously attack the principles
which the civilized countries of the world
are now striving to MAINTAIN for the COM
mon welfare.
Japan in Manchuria.
| Japan is charged by uniformed writer's
and cursory observers with being insin-