Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-07
PLANS OF KNOX
ANGER JAPANESE
RIOT WOULD FOLLOW CHANGE
IN MANCHURlA
NIPPoNEsE SAY THEY PAID DEAR
FOR TERRITORY
News of American secretary's Views
Brings Out Storm of Vigorous
Protests In the
Orient
Associated Press ]

TOXIC, Feb. 6.-The proposition of
the United States for the neutraliza-
tion of the railroads in Manchuria came
as a surprise, and the publication of
details of the note handed to the
Japanese government on December 10
by the American ambassador aroused
an immediate chorus of disapproYal.
Putting aside all questions of the
business or political advisability of the
proposition, sentiment entered most
largely into the attitude of the people
of Japan. The foreign office, while
admitting that such a note had been
received would give no intimation as
to how it had been or would be treated.
Count Hayashi, last minister for
foreign affairs and the former ambas-
sador to Great Britain; Count Okuma,
formerly one of the most active OF
statesmen, and everyone whose name
carried any weight whatsoever were
quoted in the newspapers in strenuous
objections to giving up what is claimed
to be the harvest of the war with
Russia.
Many Soldiers Died
'sTens of thousands of our soldiers
died in Manchuria in the war with
Russia" they said. I'VE got little out
of the war except what was polltlcal.
The material side is represented by
the South Manchurian railroad and the
A itsAAeNA
tory and Port Arthur were only re-
covered. These we won ten years be
fore and lost again by the intrigue OF
certain powers when we were weaker
nation. Now the United states, hither-
to always our friend, comes into COM
bination with other powers and pro
noses that we should give up the
South Manchurian railroad, a paying
road, and the An Tung-Mukden. the
continuation of our railroads in Korea,
to the control of foreigners ana
strangers.
.'The reasons assigned for this are
that the principle of the open door
and equal opportunity for all nations
doing business in China must be pre-
served. But Japan has entered into
solemn agreement with the powers of
America and Europe to preserve the
integrity of China, and to maintain the
principle of the open door and equal
opportunity in concert with China, ana
with all other nations, and to this
Japan had adhered religiously.
I'm two ways, therefore, the United
states attacks the honor and sentiment
of the people of Japan. Is 1t any
wonder that we refuse to permit our
government even to suggest that the
proposal has been received by Japan
with equanimity?'
This statement practically voices
the entire expression heard from the
public in the first forty-eight hours
after the first news of the receipt or
Secretary Knoxs note. But the further
sentiment was expressed thus:
Riots Would Follow
'.The riots that followed the making
of the treaty of Portsmouth would not
be circumstance to the trouble that
would follow the REIMBURSEMENT by
Japan of her rights in Manchuria, even
though she received twice the in
trinsic value.'
So far as can be learned by response
BILE investigators, there is little or no
foundation for charges of discrlmlna-
tion brought against Japan in con-
nection with trade in Manchuria. The
leading business firms of England and
America are, in common with the
Japanese, suffering from a depreciation
in trade in this territory, but that de-
probation is due to conditions over
which neither the Japanese nor any
other country has any control
One thing may be set down as abso-
lutely certain, and that is that Japan
is not going to give up her rights in
the South ManchuTian railroad until
those rights shall be terminated by the
lapse of the term for which Japan
has control. Japan was given control
of the South Manchurian railroad for
thirty-six years from the signing of the
Portsmouth treaty. The An Tung-
Mukden railroad will remain in pos
session of Japan for fifteen years.
There are in Manchuria about 10000
Japanese settlers, and since they are
within the zone of the railroad where
Japan has a sphere of influence, the
proposed taking over by the powers
would place the interests of these in
Jeopardy.