New-York tribune., 1912-02-04
GERMANY AND JAPAN
MUTUALLY SUSPICIOUS
Chinese Situation Leads to
Charges and Counter Charges
in Peking.
SALE OF ARMS THE CAUSE
While the Republic Remains Un.
recognized, It Cannot Be Sup.
piled from Without with
War Material.

| w Wa @A"SSA AoA'
(By the Regular Correspondent Of Tn. Tribune
| in Pekins)
Peking, Dee. 22.-There is an element or
international diseord in Tire present sltpa-
tion In China that may lead 10 DIFFICULTIES
between two great powers, particularly II
either or the two can obtain actual preets
of the suspicious entertained against the
other. For some weeks now an snti,Ger-
man propaganda has been under way at
Shanghai and at other revolutionary cen
tres. Many charges have been made, and
apparently believed by the revolutionary
element. that the Germans were assistins
the imperissists, not only by the sale OF
arms and other munitions Of war. but also
by technical advice from German soldiers.
or course, the sale OF arms to the inn
perals Is perfectly legitimate in inteFna-
tional law. but tho rebels have taksn Of
fence at il, despite this, and are indignant
over the other assistance which it is alleged
has been given by the Germans. The Gsr-
mans. 1t is well known. blame the Japanese
for all these reports and rumors and declare
that the Japanese have thrown out these
charges TO cover up their own tracks. as
they have been selling TO both sides Of the
war, which might be said 10 show that
Japan is certainly impartial in this political
upheaval
II Ia the popular thing out here TO accuse
the japanese OF everything, and II is
peculiar fact that nothing happens without
the japanese being suspected Of having a
finger In the pie, naturally. so the charge
ordinarily runs. for some ulterier and self
sh purpose. The japanese. Official and un-
official are indignant at the charges. and
declare with the utmost yehemence that
the attitude of Japan toward the eontend-
ing parties In China is one Of strict neutral
ity and non-interference.
Japan's Only Desire.
NJ Ijuin, the japanese Minister, recently
called upon Yuan Shih-kai, the Premier.
and reiterated that Japan had no other
desire than to see settlement Of the dis
pute satisfactory to all the people of China.
He declared that Japan was for the preser-
walton OF the Chinese Empire, but would
not intervene In any way.
1t Is but fair 10 say that as far as ap-
pears on the surface Japan has main
tained an attitude throughout the rebellion
as correct as that Of any. other power,
There are scores of charges made against
her, but all lack proof. The Germans are
no doubt looking for tangible proof that
the Japanese are responsible for the dis
agreeable reports In the south. The prln.
cipal reason for suspecting the JapaneSs
Of responsibility is that the charges hrSt
appeared In the japanese press.
The Chinese, however. do not seem 10 Ge
so sure about the attitude and the good in-
tentions OF Japan despite the assurances
which have been given. The "Pekipg Daily
News" newspaper published In English
by Chinese is commonly known as the o.
"a OF the Foreign Office and It's pronounce
me ~ are considered virtually Official Re-
Gently "The Daily News" published story
to the effect that the Japanese authorities
at Dairen were not observing strict neu-
trality in fact, were even assisting tho
revoiutionists
The publication of this story, which came
from the Viceroy, despite the fact thai u
was made TO appear as special telegram
from the newspapers correspondent
brought the wrath OF the japanese Legation
down upon the Wal wu-pu. or Foreign of-
nee. Mr.. Ijuin told the acting Minister FOR
Foreign Affairs he would not tolerate sIrn
publications as this, and yehemently de1
ciared i must step; it Is TO to g se sGpp'ssFfi sf1
fairs agreed with the diplomat that II Wa
thoroughly outrageous and that u should
be stopped. day or so later The Daily
News" printed an editorial preising the
Japanese and pointing 10 their goodness IN
| sending q Red Cross delegation 20 the bst
tiefeds of China II was CLOSING over tie
rough spots OF a few days hefore'
Serious Charges Made.
Later on, however. the naughty paper
again wandered from the strait and mar
row path and on more than one occasion
Recently Il published a special telegram
from it's Toxic correspondent-when occs.
sion demands this little newspaper has cor
respondents In any quarter OF the globe
TO the effect that n certain Japanese rirm
made a large sale Of rifles and arnrunt
ton TO the rebels Such a charge ss this
OF course Is a serious matter. for Il is a dis
tinct violation Of International law, as the
government of Japan has not recognizes
the rebels or even their belgeYerey. How.
ever, II is not worth while getting excited
over the fact that the Jspanese made suct
a sale, as there are plenty of people cf al
nationalities who have been selling to the
rebels. The story though, was . fins Al
the Japanese, and doubtless snnoys the
japanese Legation,
| The Wal Wu-pu. OF course, beileves ths
| story as il stands. In discussing the mat
ter with one of Yuan Shh-kais lieuten'
ants your correspondent pointed out that
II the story were true the Premier might
we'll make protest to Japan. lie re-
piled grimly that China already had enough,
trouble on her hands without getting into
a squabble with Japan.
As has been pointed out abeya th
Japanese are accused OF everything Tneh
denals are equally complete, That Jsr'o
some day will lind means TO take oven
Manchuria Is beyond question oot VIC.
time Is probably not the present Tor M
Japan desired TO take advantage OF III.
present troubles TO seize her prize 10Y seoo
and all she would probably have aeieo
saverst weeks ago, before fiIsn shln'kaI
hae.m. Premier aud when the throne Nas
! ..s.,aaiv tottering to a Chaotic fall fhcO
wss the time. IL seems, when japan misht
| have brought on some intefNehnph w
manner which would have Justified her IN
the eyes Of the world
I Japanese official here. whose pssliSa
,,aIes n worth while publishing his views
1 hasnita the fact that his name IL not oi.
DnIsed, says that Japan wants n2tnlhs Po,
| neace In China, and that sae VIII 40 "''
Utmost 10 preserve the hatioh; A. ,,osl
| q Foreign intervention came IN china' a.
| xo,d be Japan. for We are nearest ab
/ vision of the empire would be Ssrs vT
thing for Japan, and the japanese sors,ssI,
,hs integrity OF china. such thing mean, means
| far more 10 us than ie any ether hau"'"
\ and we must guard asalns. IL
n r a.