Grand Forks daily herald and the evening times., 1914-08-25
JAPAN AND

japan and Germany are now at war.
1t vas expected. Germany paid no at
tention to the japanese advice" to
withdraw from the Pacific, and on the
expiration Of the time limit which she
had set-August 23-Japan formally
announced the existence of a state
of war between the two nations. The
japanese authorities knew, Of course,
that Germany would not act in ac-
cordance with the Japanese note. and
had mad preparations for Immediate
war. Her ships and armies are now
in motion and news Of active fighting
may be expected at any time.
Persons who are familiar with the
history Of the two countries are re-
minded Just now Of the relations be-
tween them nineteen years ago., at the
close of Japan's war with China, when
Germany took a leading part in de-
priving Japan Of what her government
believed to he the legitimate fruits of
that war. 1t is said that the feeling
then ous against Germany has
ankle ever since, and that Japan's
action Is not merely a compliance with
the terms Of her treaty with England.
but the voluntary repayment Of what
her people believe to be a great in
jury inflicted on them long ago. In
support Of this view. it is pointed out
that Japan's ultimatum, in which she
advised" Germany to relinquish XII
aou-Chaou, is almost an exact para
phrase of the ultimatum addressed to
japan by Germany in 1905, a more
or less delicate reminder hat old
scores are still remembered.
So far as the United States Is con-
cerned, our government has remained
aloof from everything connected with
the war in either east or west. There
has been no expression of approval or
disapproval of Japan's action, and in
reply to inquiries the president has
said that he saw no reaso to doubt
the good faith of Japan in reference
to the restoration of the leased prov
ince to China, to which nation it orig
inally belonged. There have been ex-
changes Of notes between the two
countries, and it appears that Japan
has given satisfactory assurances to
u government that no acquisition of
territory is contemplated, and that in
the future Japan will take no action
with reference to China without proper
consultation with the United States,
which is committed. together with 9TH
er nations. to maintain the Chinese in
tegrity and independence and to the
policy Of the open door in that coun-
try.
The interests Of the United States
in the Pacific are important. If not
the absolute owner, she Is at least the
trustee and guardian Of the Philip
pines, and her growing Pacific COM
merce, with the newly built Panama
canal, which must do a great deal for
the development Of that commerce,
makes it essential that no other pow
er be In q, position to threaten or in
our authorities appear to be satisfied
that no danger threatens this country.
Aside fro nnthe announced pacific in
t%entfons Of Japan. the English alli-
ance contains elements Of promise for
us. If the nations are to depend for
any appreciable time in the future, as
they have done in the past, on the
strength Of their armament for pro-
lection from aggression, Great Britain
cannot afford to have on this continent
a great power which ma arise in arm
ed opposition to her. It Ia Of supreme
importance to her that her relations
with the United States remain close
and friendly. and 1t is reasonable to
suppose that even if Japan were dis
posed to be aggressive, her great al
ly across the Atlantic would exert a
restraining influence on her for the
protection Of her own interests.
a".