Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-12-10

caly or geographically If the struggle is waged to the
point of exhaustion probable the
to be worldwide extending to Asia and Africa
if not to the American continent itself With the leading
European powers depleted and impoverished in if
not in money that decades will not restore their lost vgor
what for instance will be the attitude of JAPAN While
closer Europe than to the Far East the future
of Nippon and the problems involved in relations of the
broad Pacific likely to be of to the United
States than all other problems growing out of the
world war
We told that at this time all Japan is in grum
bling mood their newspapers finding fault with both Great
Britain their ally and also the United States The ground
Of present dissatisfaction is that the field of Japanese naval
activity has been limited and the Osaka Manch leading
daily crtcises Great Britain for placing Japan in second
position in the 1t is held that if the Japanese fleet
had not been tied down. the German greyhound Emden might
have been stopped much earlier than the and trade
routes on the ocean kept clear.
1t be guessed that the influence of Great Britain
and the United States in consranng the Japanese
ment to limit its control of German territory among the is
lands of the Pacific and the Chinese coast taken by the
Nippon forces has been bitter pill The attitude of the
United States after the Japanese seizure of the Marshall and
Caroline islands in particular held to have been antagon
stc to Japan while Americans charged with aiding Ger
man vessels in the Pacific the length of time the cruiser
Geier allowed to remain Honolulu being cited
illustration and proof.
All this is not important in and of itself for what
1t presages with reference TO the future If Japan has be-
gun to manifest this attitude while Great Britain, her
well
land in all quarters of the globe what may expect when
Ktcheners predicted three years struggle has wrought
havoc with all the European powers including England?
Here we have recognized power among the nations
of the world armed to the teeth and complaining because
they have not had chance to do fighting whereas
most of the American nations would avoid hosities Not
only that but the Japanese premier has Just urged policy of
increased armament including greater navy well
larger standing army. Why is it?
When contemplate this spectacle it almost in
a
the long isolation of Japan from all the world broken
result of the American expedition under Commodore Perry
who July 1853 almost forced his into the bay of Yedo
against the protests Of local officials to present letter
the from President Pierce to obtain admission
Japanese ports and establish trade relations.
The treaty which signed in February, 1854 de-
cared friendship between the United States and Japan,
opened two ports to American ships for shelter in
weather. for procuring supplies for certain privileges of
trade and for resident American consuls England made
haste to obtain similar treaty privileges the year.
did other nations and thus ended the secson under
which Japan had existed for two centuries and half
The progress which the Japanese have made in civil
cation and the arts and sciences both and
ing this hacentury appears almost miraculous; yet this
power which rightly regarded backward heather
country needing missionaries during the middle the
last century, is considered to-day the chief menace to our
abiding peace and as one of the most progressive countries
in the whole world
If we had been far-seeing in craftsmanship in
dealing with the countries Of South and Central America and
have been with reference Japan and the Far East we
would be in far stronger position both strategcay and
commercially than to-day but must make the best
of our present situation. How to do this is the problem
which challenges American craftsmanship.
We see how what regard foolish preudces and
eXcusabe policies have led to involving all Europe
Are to be any wiser in generation than European
neghbors? Is there any really sound why rela
tons between the United States and Japan should not con-
nue friendly they during the haf-century which
the Japanese regarded Americans their greatest beneac
tors and friends?
When have adopted constitutional amendment rec
ognizing certain rights the part of citizens the United
States regardless of color why should deny to
yellow the recognition freely to black man
red and why should hold prejudice against one
color alone?
The Japanese intensely proud people, sensitive
degree and unquestionaby jealous of their position
than they would be had their civilization existed for
centuries We profit from the fact that from 1854 to
1905 manifested people the greatest friendship for
the Japanese and regarded their teachers They
apt pupils and grateful we'll When the excitement arose
the Japanese school question in San Francisco was