The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-02-27
america HEARS
JAP'S AMBITION
AGoREssIvENEss IN MANcHuRlA
SAID TO BE DlsLlKED BY
CHINESE.
Unofficial and Seml-offcial Sources
Bring Word Of Strained Relations
to Authorities at Washington
Talk Of a Protest.

Washington. Feb. 20.-Informatlon
from unofficial and individual sources
evidencing the aggressiveness OF
Japan in Manchuria has been accumu-
lating in the state department for
some time That this condition is ir.
ritating in increasing degrees to China
is also a matter Of knowledge here. 1t
is stated with authority, however, that
in no manner has the Chinese govern
ment brought the matter to the atten-
ton of the American government and
no representation on the subject Is
looked for. A remarkable explanation
OF the attitude of our government in
this important matter is developed as
the result OF inquiry directed toward
officials who cannot be quoted, but are
in positions to direct our policies.
America Losing FoothoId.
In effect 1t is as follows: II is
frankly admitted that America IL los
ing her commercial foothold In the
Orient This loss, however, is not
charged to Japan. Rather II is asserted
to be the effect of the growing ten
dency toward internal governmental
regulation in the United States. As an
illustration Of this, attention is called
TO these facts: Five years ago four
I'm 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 exceed
ingly low ocean freight rate arrived
at BY n railroad combination. This
rate has been condemned by our courts
as q conspiracy against trade, and the
development Of this trade has been
abandoned.
Standard War In Orient.
The domestic war, as II is character
lied. against the Standard OIL COM
pany, which Is credited with the
largest Oriental trade OF any American
enterprise, is declared to have been
dissstrously effective in the Orient,
while the tobacco and cotton goods
trades are said to have beent dealt
heavy blows through the operation OF
railroad regulation here From this
point 1t seems easy for government Of
/ ficials here conversant with foreign
matters to view Japanese commercial
aggression in Manchuria with great
er degree OF complaisance than would
be the case In the face of an urgent
domestic demand for governmental as
sistance. Japan. IL is asserted, can
without great difficulty Justify every
thing she has done in Manchuria as
sanctioned by the open door" policy
initiated by the late Secretary Hay,
and adhered to by the greater nations.
| including Japan.
Practices Under Suspicion.
While Japan may Justify these
things In the strictest sense, under the
open door" policy 1t has been charged
that there exists evidences of her use
OF many methods and practices 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, II is asserted, obtained! many
valuable concessions through which
her control of the railroad and tele
graphic facilities is practically com
plete. This control is known to be
used primarily in the interest of Jap
anese tradesmen and to the detriment
of all foreign competitors. These dis
advantages are of course being felt by
American tradesmen az, we'll as by
those of other nations.