Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-04-12

iii'iCot bGNduSe Oh I1e lDlDOrIanCe~ OF
their trade In Chinese territory Does
not Japan have the same right to in
terest itself in behalf of its commerce?
Indeed. is not its interest more vital
than that of other nations when 1t Is
remembered that Japanese factories de-
pend largely upon China both as q
source of raw material and as a mar
ket for finished products? Japan has
welcomed thousands of Chinese stu
dents to Its universities that they
might light their lamps of learning
from the flame of modern civilization.
Have not England and America also
welcomed these students? II the stu
dents who come to Japan go back to
their homes feeling kindly toward their
Japanese teachers and ready to turn
trade in their direction, is the same
thing not true of the Chinese who
have studied in other countries? When
Chinese railroad engineer who was
educated In America buys supplies he
goes to America. II he obtained his
professional knowledge in England he
buys his materials in England. DO tho
western nations consider this unfair
on their part? If not then 1t is not
unfair for Japan.
The war with Russia, so far from
being the first blow struck by Japan In
It's purpose to establish a world con-
quering Asiatic empire, was a blow
struck in self-defense to save itself
from humiliation by a European
power. The aggression of Russia in
Korean and Manchuria was such that
1t threatened Japanese national growth
and existence. Japanese surplus popu-
lation and Japanese trade extensions
could not be directed toward Europe
and America for obvious reasons. Rus
STA was manifesting the intention OF
shutting out not only Japan. but all
other countries. from the territory i'm
mediately adjoining Japan. other ma
tons also recognize the danger of the
Russian advance, and England en-
tered into a treaty of alliance with
Japan. When that war was In prog
ress the Japanese had the moral sup
port of most of the nations, especially
of England and the United States.
When the victory was won what ma
ton placed I'm like circumstances would
have abandoned the territory involved
to its old inefficient government and
thus lay open the way for the same
Russian aggression which had been
repealed at such a cost of blood and
treasure?
Japan realized that its position in
Korea and Manchuria would invite
close scrutiny and provoke much crit
icism. 1t also realized that some mis-
takes would be made, for after all tho
Japanese are not the gods which en-
thusiastic friends made them during
their late war. They are merely hui
man beings. But Japan expects that
the scrutiny shall be honest and the
criticism fair. IT can ask no more than
this. 1t VIII not be satisfied with less.
But to the people of Japan the most
painful of post-belium happenings has
been the rise Of an anti-Japanese senti-
ment in the United States. 1t is to
America that Japan owes It's present
power and position, for the Meiji, the
era of enlightenment, would not have
been possible but for Commodore Per-
RVS opening of Japan and the treaty
made then with the United States.
Since Japan entered the markets of tho
world, the United States has been its
best customer. The friendship of Japan
for America, the friendship of the great
mass of the people. is traditional
feeling having its origin in the unique
circumstances which first brought the
two countries in contact, since
strengthened to an unusual degree by
the unvaryingly considerate and some
times even enthusiastically friendly at
titude of the United States. 1t is a
deeper ana more genuine feeling than
that customarily expressed in the
honeyed phrases of diplomatic inter-
course.
The attitude of a certain class of
alarmists in the United States came to
the Japanese as a blow in the face from
a brother. The Japanese people can
not believe that the masses of the
Americans really understand what they
are about, and they regret that such a
spirit should be engendered which may
n q mt frn In In of ton
ate relations which have existed for
fifty years. Why should the Americans
close their own door and then talk so
bravely about the open door In the
east?
When Japan first came into the in
ternational school,, where all the great
powers were at study, the boy in a
glorious kimono was welcomed by all
the others, but especially by the boy
called Unclo Sam. Little Almond Eyes
was an apt pupil, and all the bigger
boys helped him with his lessons,
taught him how to wear their clothes
and how to fight in their fashion When
one big bully of stupid boy attempted
to grab all the apples in Mr.. China
mans orchard. where none of the boys
had an invitation to come, Little Al
mond Eyes gave him good trouncing.
The other boys cheered him and talked
admiringly about the pluck of the lit
tie brown chap. But when Little AL
mond Eyes insisted upon having his say
about the distribution of the apples
that was quite another story. No
longer did the bigger boys pet him.
Little Almond Eyes has lost his popu-
larity by playing the game as the 9TH
ers taught him to play 1t. Now they
frown at him and call him the Yellow
Peril.
Copyright, 1908, by Frederick j. Haskin.)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in .Janan