The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-09-23
JAPAN.
Her Friendship for the United states
Asserted.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir. II
was with real pleasure that read the
editorial article headed Japan" in The
SuN of Saturday last why. indeed.
should the people OF the United States
seem perpetually TO require of Japan dec
larations OF her good intentions toward
this country? We have always been her
friend. and she has always been ours
Nothing but the cutlery OF our own mis-
chief makers can ever make IL appear
otherwise. When our Hobsons and their
like have truculently mlsrepresented and
illuminated Japan's policy and motives II
Is not surprising that equally lightheaded
publicists In Japan should throw doubt on
our motives and policy. with the Japa-
nese Government with the responsible
men OF Japan 1t IL otherwise. They recog-
nize the fact that our sixty years OF good
will to Dai-Nippon is not the right prep
aratlon for betraying our old friendship
for her. They know that their sixty
years OF good will to the United states
put them In bad position for becoming
hostile to us. Better still, they recognize
that for economic reasons rs well as FOR
gentler reasons they have every incentive
for remaining our friends And what Is
true OF her Is true OF us. We market a
good deal in Japan. she fnds us n good
customer for over 800. OOo, 900 a year in
silk and tea alone. II is too big cup Of
tea to be spilled In freaksh moment
! have Just returned from visit to
Japan. where did my best 10 observe
he land and the people. Perhaps the
most outstanding of my experiences was
the desire on every hand to have Japan
thought Of well and kindly by the
United States II became almost pathetic
II appeared to me as the spontaneous
utterance OF a deeply rooted habit OF mind.
From Count Okuma the Prime Minister.
down II was always the same declaration
Going through a village not very far
from Toxic ! entered "A general store to
make some small purchases. spoke
English, n friend interpreted for me A
man in black with staring eyes who was
squattng beside the proprietor suddenly
said in Japanese: DO hear an Ameri-
cam" Told II was so, the man added
Then ask him to listen to my poem
on the honorable benefits America has
brought to Japan" and staring straight
ahead. for he was blind, he went on
lyrically celebrating Americans and Amer
lea in a homely way. That is true OF the
whole country.
The Hobsons point to the Philippines
and indicate how easily Japan could seize
them and thereupon they clamor for more
warships And so on and so on. Now, as
Baron kaneko, an accomplished man
knowing America thoroughly. insists. ia
pan has no desire to own the Philippines
Formosa, Japan's only land prize for the
war on China. Is a bit Of an elephant on
her hands. Thickly populated by Chinese
farmers, and otherwise made uncomfort-
able by large tribes OF savage head hunt
ers. the Islands climate ls too hot 20 at
tract a heavy Japanese immigration. Tho
Philippines are still further south and
climatically still less attractive. But Ja-
pans benevolent attitude has other
grounds. She is not seeking war with the
United states. Her present aim Is the
widening OF her markets. and she wants
all the money she can spare for that oh.
ject Her main chance for new market:
lies In China. To exploit them under IA,
opportunity presented by the world war i.
her greatest wish. For this purpose Japar
is turning to the United States In the hope
OF securing the assistance Of private cap.
tai where she offers profitable Investment
namely, in manufactures Of her steel. iror
and cotton goods As you have said. hei
friendship IL worth having Let US hav,
II without reservation
Whatever grievance Japan has is tn,
largely sentimental one OF not being
treated fully and frankly on the basis o