The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-09-12
JAPS and RUSSIANS
IN TERRITORY STEAL
4 Latin = American Combat
Against United States
Is Feared.

Washington, d c., Sept. S.-Beset on
one hand by the fear of a Russo
Japanese pact to embarrass and dis
member the new Chinese republic to
the great discomforture of the United
States, and on the other that a more
against Mexico would provoke a war
with all the seething little republics
of Latin America, these are indeed
troublesome days for the state depart
ment. Secretary Knox has been un-
fortunate in the administration Of the
foreign office and has made American
diplomacy h laughing stock OF the
world.
Just now, the secretary Of state Is
bound for Japan to attend the funeral
OF the late mikado. 1t is commonly
supposed that he will take advantage
OF the occasion to sound the diplc macy
Of Japan on the designs Of the D.. pan
csc government In the far east, on the
question Of what Japan and Russia
purpose to do with reference to Man.
chur1a and whether Russia, by the
terms Of an arrangement between the
Japanese and Russian governments, Is
to be allowed to dominate Mongolia.
Alliance Not Doubted.
No much doubt exists here that the
two countries are in virtual alliance
as to the present policy to be pursued
regarding these huge chunks OF
Chinese territory. And there Is uneasi.
ness here lest their understanding goeI
even further and looks to the embar-
rassment OF the republic Of China with
a view to helping along the complete
dlsmemberment of that great nation.
Won't Accomplish Much.
Secretary knox Is not likely to get
anything more than placid assurance
from the Japanese that are pleasant
to hear but will amount to nothing. He
has never been able to cope success
fully with the Japanese diplomats or
those Of Russia or England when II
comes to far eastern matters. The sad
experience Of the department with ref
erenCe to the naturalization OF the
M~anchurian railroads is a case eari-
nently In point. hat venture into big
international chess playing made
American diplomacy the laughing stock
Of that part of the world that Is COM
monty referred to as the Chinese coast,
and excited derision in the chancel-
tories Of Europe.
Looks Bad in Latin States.
But the tangled state of Latin
American affairs is in some respects
even more lamenkable han the dis
adventures of American diplomacy in
other parts Of the world. The turmoil
there is extremely annoying and hurt
full to American business, while 1t ia
causing a degree Of Ill feeling between
the United States and some Of the
southern republics that it will take
much time to repair. The Mexican
situation Is going from bad to worse.
Nicaragua, Cuba, Panama and Colon
bia are sore spots. In fact, it ooks as
If the admirable relationship between
this country and Latin America, which
was established in the regime Of Elihu
Root as secretary Of state, had been
in large measure broken up.
Afraid to Interfere.
These states are naturally jealous OF
their big neighbor on the north and
fearful of that ~neighbor's designs. 1t
requires the most competent diplomacy
Of the world and the United States has
few competent diplomats in the Latin
American countries. The racial ties
between the Latin American countries
are, generally speaking, close and
when this country gets involved in
difficulty with one feeling is apt to be
stirred up against it in all Latin
America.
1t is probably because Of the feeling
of the administration that it must take
no aggressive step against Mexico lest
all Latin America be aroused that the
Mexican situation has been allowed to
drift as 1t has. The state department
in adopting a highly conciliatory policy
toward Mexico has apparently leaned
over backwards. Certain 1t is that the
administration has earned no end of
criticism for itself by not taking hold
Of the Mexican situation with a f1rmer
hand and compelling the restoring OF
order. Along the border states and, iE
fact, all over the country, strong dis
approval Is expressed of the weak md
waVering course Of the government in
Mexican matters.