Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-09-21
JAPANS AIMS IN
WARAS TOLDBY
X, X. KAWAKAMI
Noted Japanese Author, Well
known Here, Justified Nip
pon'S Military Activity
~ BY X. x. kAWA<AMI,
Author Of .aAsia at the Door" Etc

q
Author of sAsta at the Door" Etc.
Earl K. Kawakami, noted Japanese
author and well-known in Hawaii, has
sent to the Star-Bulletin the follow
ing article on Japan's entry into the
present war and her reasons for do
ing SO. The article contains much
information entirely new here as well
as an exposition of Japanese aims
from one of Nippon's deepest stud
ents and most sympathetic and force
full writers.]:
With the dispatch of the Mikado's
ultimatum to the Kaiser there seems
to have been started in this country
a movement; aimed at the ailenatlon
of American sympathy from the Japa-
nese. The contentious of those who
regard the Japanese move with dis
favor resolve into these three points:
First. Japan thrust herself into the
war without England's invitation.
Second. Japan has territorial am.
bition in China.
Third. Japan wants to "get even
with Germany.
Sympathy and loyalty for my ma
tive country impells me to express
myself on these points. The first con
tention is not only unwarranted but,
false. Japan did not join hands with
England without Englands request.
When it became evident that Eng
land must come to the rescue OF
France and Belgium. the press Of ia
pan, without exception, hoped that
Japan wonld not be called upon to
aid her western ally. But the western
ally did call upon japan.
On AuEuet that is, the day before
England declared war on Germany,
the British ambassador to Japan hur-
ried back to Toxic from his summer
villa and Immediately requested an
interview with Baron Kato, foreign
minister. At this conference the Bri-
fish ambassador informed Baron kato
that his government was compelled
to open hostilities against Germany
and desired to ascertain whether ia
pan would aid England in the event
of British interests in the far east
being ieopardized by German activi-
ties. Baron Kato answered that the
question before him was such serl-
Gus one that he could not answer II
on his own account.
On the evening of the same DAY
Count Okuma convened a meeting OF
ali the cabinet members. Bearing the
resolution of this meeting, Baron
Kato on August 4 called upon the
British ambassador and told the lat
ter that Japan would not shirk the
responsibilities which the alliance
with England put upon her should
ers.
At this time Japan did not expect
to be called upon to aid England for
at least few months. But on August
the British ambassador suddenly
asked for an interview with Baron
Kato and told the foreign minister
that the situation had developed IN
such a manner as to oblige England
to ask for Japan's assistance without
delay. On the evening OF that day
Premier Okuma requested the elder
statesmen" and his colleagues to as.
semble at his mansion. The confer.
ence lasted until 2 o'clock the next
morning. Before it adjourned Japan's
policy was definitely formulated.
What caused Downing Street to In
yite Japan's cooperation so soon Is
not clearly known to the outside
world. But the Japanese press is IN
all probability right when 1t says that
Japan and England were Obliged to
act promptly In order to Illustrate the
German scheme to transfer Kiaochau
to the Chinese government before Ger
many was compelled to surrender Il
at the point of the sword Had Ger
many succeeded in carrying out this
scheme she would still have enjoyed
in virtue Of aArticle OF the kiao
chao convention of 1898, the priv
leee of securing at some future time
"a more suitable territory" in China
This was exactly the condition which
the allies did not want to see estaD
lished in China. If. on the other hand
Germany were forced to abandon
| Kiaochau by the arbitrament OF tns
sword China would no longer be un
der obligation to "cede to Germany
mere suitable place
This was, / think, what persuaded
Japan and England to act promptl.
in the Far East In the meantime
German cruiser, ignoring the rights
/ of a neutral state. captured Russian
steamer within Japanese jurisdiction
a British gunboat, chased by anothe'
i German cruiser. fed into port oni,
hundred miles west of Toxic;
| number of British merchant vessel
were either captured or chased o.
German warships; while a few Japa
nese ships we're also intercepted D
German cruisers. These activities Q
the German squadron were Interpret
i ed by Japan and England as disturb
ance to general peace in the Fa
East and to the special interests
II the, two countries in said region.
/ The second point. that Japan ha
territorial ambition, is easily dispose
of. In proposing to restore kiat
chau to China, Japan Is not actuate
by altruistic motives hut by motive