Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-08-19
P IN THE A

The entrance Of Japan into this war
Is Of profound interest to the whole
world. Japan occupies a position in
the Pacific not unlike that Of Eng
land in the Atlantic. Her insular po-
sition makes her m~easureably secure
against attack, and her numerous fine
harbors make her manifestly that Of
a great maritime power. Japan and
Russia appear. since their war Of a
few years ago, to have come to an
relative spheres Of influence in north
ern Asia. Japan's defensive alliance
with England is of long standing.
Japan and France are on terms Of
amity. Germany has sought to colo
nize a portion Of China for the pur-
pose of increasing her military and
commercial prestige in the Far East.
II 1t were the purpose OF japan to fol-
low an ambitious program at this
juncture. and, driving out the Ger
mans from the Pacific territory, to
anchor herself securely in those pos
sessions from which she has ousted
Germany, that program could not be
regarded, especially in this country,
without grave concern. for 1t would
mean n Of two things, either the
complete domination of the Pacific by
the japanese, or the expenditure Of
enormous sums by the United States
to create a great Pacific navy, and to
equip and maintain adequate naval
stations in those waters.
Our government does not appear to
fear that this is the purpose OF Jap
an. And in this connection 1t Is in
%teresting to read the analysis Of the
situation by John Callan O'Loughlan,
who says: i.
"In sending an ultimatum to Ger
many for the evacuation Of Kiao-chau,
Japan, the Herald correspondent
learned tonight, is actuated by these
purposes:
IL. To assure the general peace
of the Far East.
"2. To carry out Loyalty and faith
fully treaty obligations with Great
Britain.
"In determining to wage war against
Germany, provided that country
does not comply with the ultimatum
delivered calling for the evacuation
Of Kiao-chau, Japan intends:
"To observe and protect the neu-
trality Of China.
''To return. to China the district Of
Kiao-chau, now defended by 5000
German marines.
"A further important fact which
has come to the Herald correspond
ent's attention is this:
Japan intends to continue the poll
icy of cultivating the most friend
ly and cordial relations with the Unit
ed States, and to this end will respect
and enforce the principles which form
the basis Of the common policy Of the
two nations.
1.-THE information described is of
the highest moment to the American
people. 1t means that the Toxic gov
eminent is not inspired by a desire
to extend its territories. It means
that China's neutrality is to be abso-
lutely respected. though in the vicin-
ity of Kiao-chau, for military pur-
poses, it may be necessary Temporal
lily to pass through Chinese territory.
sit means that the trade passing
across the Pacific is to be freed from
the danger of interference by bellig-
erent ships. It means finally that
Japan will not permit anything to take
place which will embarrass it's rela-
tons with us.
More han this, the question which
contained the seed Of trouble between
the United States and Japan, that in
relation to the California alien land
law. is to be submerged for the time,
at least, in the greater events trans
piring.
There need not be the slightest ap-
prehension of Japan taking any I'M
toward act against the United States |
or II of it's interests in the %princi-
pies for which this government has
stood. This fact cannot be emphasiz-
ed too strongly. An experience of
many years has enabled the Herald
correspondent to get at the truth of
a country's attitude. and In view of
the information obtained today he Is
prepared to say that the motives Of
Japan in his matter are Of the high
est character. Reports Of Japanese
hostility to the United States may be
discounted with confidence.
THE policy of Japan toward Kiao-
chau is similar in man. respects to
that of the United States toward Gu
ba in 1898. Germany forced China
to grant practically a perpetual lease
Of the Kiao-chau district az redress
for the murder of two German mis-
%sionaries in shantung province. Now
Japan intends to drive the Germans
from Kiao-chau Inc to hand the ter
ritory back to China"
SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY.