The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-05-11
JAPAM's FRlENDlINtss

ton which has just leaked out-tha'
the Mexican dictator besought japan
To act as his diplomatic first friend
I'm WASHINGTON after the Mexican
Charge d'Afralres at Washington ha !
asked ana received his passports.
This grim old fox-playing all
strings To his bow every minute-un
questionably planned an international
anti-American concert Of powers.
Figuring that our relations will
Japan are still somewhat strained be-
cause of the California land law epi-
sode. Huerta unquestionably figured
that If he could put his diplomatic rep
resentation at Washington into jap
anese hands he would seriously add I"
the embarrassment Of Uncle sam and
at the same time bring to his oWn
cause the sympathetic diplomatic SUD-
port of a powerful Oriental ally which
has been long advertised by the lingo
az prospective enemy of the United
States in some war Of the future.
The fact that Japan refused 10 be-
come Huerta's tool i'm palpably self
evident attempt to capitalize an anti
American alliance is not only distinct
~ ereditable TO the Mikado but also Is
1t conclusive proof of basic Japanese
desire 10 maintain perpetuated friend
~ relationship with the United States.
Indeed, the situation is eloquent in
- on NJ rat Of Ia
for the feelings OF Uncle Sam-elo-
quent in demonstration of the fact that
the American anti-Japanese lingo
who is pcrpetually conjuring up the
ghost Of a future japanese war, reck-
ons entirely without his host.
We have been told time and again
by those who ought To know, that there
is absurdly remote probability tina;
Japan would ever permit the Develop
ment Of situation which would invite
American war.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. O'Brien Of our home
city-a man who spent several init
mate years in the Mikado's court-has
insistently declared that the future
holds no prospects for japanese hos
tilities.
Ex-Governor Osborn-traveling in
the far east-has been very recently
quoted in similar vein as result Of
his recent first hand observations
But in this present Mexican inc
dent would seem to lie completest
demonstration Of the. fact which is the
basis of this comment.
II would have been easy for Japan
which joined with other world
powers long ago i'm extending 'recogni-
ton" to Huerta- to have become the
dictator's first friend" at Washington
in the present diplomatic crisis
There would have been nothing On
the surface Of such an arrangement
which could have excited the slightest
criticism because first friends are n
diplomatic necessity at such times and
are merely the regular accompaniment
to such situations as exist at present.
Yet the moment that Japan should
have become Hucrta y proxy in Wash!
ington the delicacS of Ile position If
the United states would have multi
piled ten fold.
The alliance would have been con-
strued az the beginning OF a greater in
ternational rnti-American alliance.
II would have been widely advertise
as prophetic of prospective japanese
support to the Dictator in case OF con-
tinued warfare.
4, a -
wide sensation-aud the chief
thereof would have heen
this seventy-year old Mexican Nspo-
leon who has put his back against Cha
and successfully defed Amer
lcan power for twelve long and SAM
culinary months.
Evidently Japan sensed these pas i
Dilities.
At any rate japan refused Huerta's
invitation.
Perhaps it is only temporary evil
ience of good will.
But at least for the present, IL Is
eloquent i'm it's evidence Of American
imity; and the situation should serve
to make less difficult the solution f
future diplomatic problems
may arise between japan and the
United States
But meanwhile, let us not overlook
the fact that the mere invitation TO
Japan bears future evidence To the
fact that we are confronting master
'trategist in Mexico city.
He has studiously sought To enSatc
rs in conflict.
While he deserved our recognition
once. the time for sGch a possibility Is
everlastingly past
He and his cause deserve our merit
ID hostility now--the same hostility
which should attach to his rebel enc
MES of the north. who equally with
him have insute the flag. assaulted
our citizenship and damned our dignl-
.y.--Grand Rapids Herald.
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