The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-23
JAPAN'S TRUE AIM
CONTROL OF PACIFIC

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: In
testimony of my competency TO speak
with respect to Japan and her ultimatum
to Germany, l spent nearly FIVE years In
the Orient and travelled much In Japan
1 think | know something OF her and
her people. My experience with them has
forced upon me the conclusion that they
are a non-moral people; that they have
but little sense of honor and are utterly
unworthy of the trust and confidence OF
the Occidental.
I have never doubted that a conflict be-
tween the United States and Japan was
Inevitable sooner or later, and that 1t
would have come before now but for
the Impoverished condition of Japan and
the economic and political necessity OF
her first settling her score with Russia
The primary reasons for a conflict be-
tween us and Japan are that we stand
athwart the following ambitions and pur-
poses of the Japanese, which will mako
the contest Inevitable and irrepressible
Japan Is determined to control the Pacific
and the trade OF the Orient. She be-
lleves II her mission to act as the mentor
and leader OF the Aslatlcs-chiefy, how
ever for her own glory and her terri
torial and commercial ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
She Is. therefore. determined upon tho
establishment and maintenance In the
Orient of Monroe Doctrine" OF her
own. She is obsessed with the conceit
that she is superior to the white races,
and II is a thorn In her flesh that the
white races have not been willing TO
concede II or admit the Japs to their
councils and countries upon terms OF
equality.
To secure this recognition she IL will
ing when she thinks the time suspicious
to stake her national existence. All the
hullabaloo she has raised over the Cali
fornia land question Is n mere blind to her
true purpose She cares nothing for
the land question per SO. but Is using II
simply as means OF forcing Ameri-
cans 10 recognize and accept her people
on terms OF social. political and COM
mercial equality.
There Is no circumstance or necessity
that warrants japan projecting herself
| into the unfortunate contest now on In
Europe. She is simply taking advanta &c
OF the situation for her own aggrandize-
ment and to strengthen herself against the
| United States under cover OF fulfilling her
| treaty obligations with England. HeI
sole purpose Is to even an old score with
Germany and so to profit by this Euro.
pean conflict as to make ready for the
contest with the United States. which Il
Is her undoubted intention to wage wher
she feels herself equal to the task.
Japan's ultimatum to Germany con.
| fronts our country with very grave sit
uation. far greater than our average citi
zen realizes. II demands prompt and Wig
orous handling II We would postpons
grave complications that lie in the future
II is calamity that our country has a
the helm in such a crisis two such i'm
practical doctrinaires as Mr.. Wilson anC
Mr.. Bryan. men who seem to prefer peac,
TO national honor and the prestige OF tn,
nation.
This Ia no time for coque,ting with tn,
dove of peace and promulgatins platitud
inous sentiments to lofty and altruistit
purposes and motives, but TO deal witt
this situation in its practical aspects anC
so handle II now that II may not develoI
eventually TO our detriment and possbl,
our undoing. II the President and Mr.
Bryan are faithful to the best Interest,"
OF our country now and for the futur,
they will nip Japans plans in the bud a
once by giving her to understand In NJ
uncertain terms that we will not regarS
with indifference her entrance into th
contest and that II she does take the par
, indicated by her ultimatum 10 German,
We will feel compelled TO immed!atel,
take the necessary steps 10 protect an,
conserve our present welfare and potentia
interests for the future.
A. SIDNEY LANIER.
| RfCtJ VA August