The Washington herald., 1914-11-22
RidicuIes Peace Action.


Another ingenious cartoonist thinks
that aeroplanes might be used to sweep
the land much as trawlers are used to
sweep the sea for mines. A long net is
fastened to two aeroPlanes, SO that 1t
drags on the ground as the ereoplanes
fly. and gathers up the Jenny 10 be dis
posed OF at leisure.
The peace suggestions advanced by the
United States have been almost univer-
sally derided by the japanese papers,
man of them insisting the reason for the
suggestions is that Germany Is being
worsted and America would stop the war
in order to save Germany.
1t is to be noted that Japan is the only
Combatant in this war which Is con-
firmed in the idea that she has some
thing to gain by the conflict. Both the
allies and the Austro-Germans, though
admitting at times that victory would
mean such, are flled for the most part
with the full realization OF the enormous
sacrifices and losses the war is entail
ing. Japan, however, with Great Brit
ain paying the bills. is in an enviablc
position. OF course IL the United States
were in Japan's place she would not go
to war because Of the number OF her citl-
zens who would be slaughtered with lit
tie OF moral principle to justify the
slaughter. But the killing Of n few
thousand soldiers and sailors does not
shock the japanese public. There was
little interest in the war when il was
declared. but those who opposed it did
not do so on the ground Of the japanese
homes which would be desolated.
Then Japanese successes began to have
their effect. The occupation Of German
islands in the South Pacific. in close
proximity to the Philippines and Guam
reused a high pitch OF enthusiasm.
Japan is at heart thoroughly imperial
istic, perhaps the most imperialistic ma
tion on earth. Visions Of empire tilled
the hearts of the people. There is little
chance that the Islands seized by japan
from the Germans will pass out of Jap
anese hands.
The same feeling of Imperialism was
increased by the invasion OF Chinese ter
ritory leased by the Germans. The jap
anese government may be prevented
from returning Tsingtau to the Chinese
by a popular uprising. demanding this
outlet for japanese trade and japanese
surplus population be not given up.
The Japanese cartoonists try to prove
that the United States is aCtuated by self
interest in all her moves. The Ameri-
cans only want peace in order 10 inn
prove their own trade, say the Nippon
ese. In one cartoon Uncle Sam is shown
trying to shake down the fruit of peace
lEOU u Inc ITulIS uFe great SOltt
coins. None Of them are coming down,
the cartoonist explains. because their
fruits are not yet ripe. The Cartoonist
fails to show, however, just how the
United States expects to profit a great
deal by peace suggestions. except in the
legitimate way by the general restora-
ton of good order in the world. In 9TH
er cartoons the United States is shown
as envious of Japan's present opportunity
in China and as getting ready TO seizo
the benefits of Japan's China expedition.
The German Emperor il now the most
cartooned man in Japan. There is not
the hate for him, however. that is appar-
ent in newspapers of the Rllies-a com
mentary on Japan's reasons for entering
the war. The japanese. while not chiv-
alric in the European sense, take this
war almost as a matter of business. They
feel the same dislike for the Germans
that one business man does for a rival
he knows to be keen and suspects Of en-
ploytng sharp practices. He rejoices in
this rivals being outwltted and losing
lucrative trade contracts. but he feels
no deep. consuming hatred. Japan has
had a grudge against Germany, but only
a grudge.