The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-06
Japan Prepares to Demand
Alien Bin Arbitration.
Would Be Embarrassing to Will
son Administration.
NATIONS LAUGHING At US"
Senator Smith Says u. S. Dis
plays Weakened Policy.
Deal With MikadO as Treat
ment to Chinese.

Washington, May cit was learned
| today from a high authority that when
Secretary Bryan returns the state de-
partment will receive a formal demand
from Japan for an immediate reference
of the protest over the California alien
land legislation to The Hague for ar
bitration.
In official circles this contemplated
step is accepted as absolute confirma-
ton of the story that the Mikado bases
the controversy between that country
and the United States on the same
grounds as that taken by Great Britain
concerning Panama canal tolls.
The minimum result will be most
embarrassing for the Wilson admins
tration as it is realized that the all
powerful foreign relations committee
of the senate will advocate only
definite American policy under which
Japan must accept the same treatment
as accorded the Chinese and all other
Asiatic peoples.
1t has been pointed out by a mem
Der of the committee that President
Wilson has by his extraordinary solicit
tude over the outcome of the California
question admitted by indirection that
Japan has a just cause for protest. 1t
is claimed that no other construction
can be placed on Secretary Bryan's
visit and utterances before the Califor-
mia legislature.
The inevitable consequence is that
when Ambassador Chinda makes the
demand for arbitration on the ground
that the treaty of 1911 has been viola
ted, the president will either have to
concede the contention outright or re-
verse the position already taken.
Afraid of Japan. ~
Senator William Alden Smith said:
1T seems to me there has been I'M
necessity solicitude in our dealings with
Japan over the alien land question It
has been such as would lead any for
eign nation to believe that we were
afraid the Japanese could come over
here with their army and navy and
obliterate US.
This government has always stood
for peace and extension of commerce
above all things, but this cannot be
accomplished by a weak kneed policy
such as makes US laughable in the face
of the civilized world.
I'VE cannot afford to play favorites
between nations if We are to maintain
an independent government and retain
the respect of the remainder of the
world. Our policy toward China is set
forth in the Chinese exclusion law. We
cannot afford for one moment to dis
criminate in favor of another Asiatic
race, especially one whose trade rela-
tions are as valuable as those of China.
at is my opinion that the Japanese
should be dealt with just as we have
already dealt with China, at least that
we should stand on the law covering
Chinese immigration as the fixed policy
of the United States toward all of
Asia"
Senator Smith has made a deep study
of our foreign policies and is thorough
ly American in all of his conclusions.
1t is known from the attitude of the
officials of the japanese embassy that
all proposals for an adjustment of the
controversy except by arbitration have
failed to meet with favor. Both there
and at the state department Secretary
Bryan's mission is conceded to have
been a failure. AS a result the future
Wilson-Bryan policy is being awaited
with interest by the senate.