Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-18

Herman Rider, proprietor and edi-
tor of the New Yorker Staats-Zeitung,
in the daily English column which he
has established in his paper, under
the caption of 1.-THE War Situation
from Day to Day." today says;
I'VE Americans are learning the
game of world politics with astonish-
ing rapidity. In our splendid isola-
ton we had no need of a compli-
Gated school of diplomacy to check
and checkmate other nations. How
ever, our expansion toward the Far
East brought us into rivalry with
Japan. According to the code of
world politics, as played at present.
Japan is undoubtedly a possible
is the European war illustrates very
clearly
with the entrance of Japan into
the war the interests of the United
States are placed in jeopardy. A
month ago it would have been con-
sidered screaming jingoism to proph-
esy war with Japan. Yet I fear that
AAit SCALdl q VI INldu NsIlciu Is lllt III ~
step in a British-Japanese plot to
obtain the control of the Far East.
1T is evident that Japan has de-
cided to take this step at the instiga-
ton, or at least with the consent, of
England.
"Great Britain has placed herself
under obligations which may be very
uncomfortable at some future date.
England had no real need of this
assistance, and apparently prefers
her alliance with Japan to her friend
ship for the United States. This lat
est complication can be of no real as
sistance to England, but it is of de-
cided advantage to Japan.
Were Japan entirely satisfied that
England would observe the strictest
neutrality, Japan would not hesitate
to adopt vigorous anti American
policy.
"A study of the comparative naval
strength of the different powers in
the Far East will serve to illustrate
how unnecessary it Is for Japan to
step in. Germany has only two II, 600
ton armored cruisers, the Gneisenau
and Scharnhorst, a 3,700-ton protected
cruiser, the Emden, and two torpedo
boats in the Far East; Austria only
one 4,000-ton protected cruiser, the
Kaiserin Elizabeth. The total ton
mage represented by Austria and Ger
many amounts to 80, 900 tons and two
torpedo boats.
England, on the other hand, has a
fleet in the Aslatic waters consisting
of one battleship, the Triumph, of
1900 tons; two armored cruisers, the
Minotaur of 14,S00 tons, and the
Hampshire of 11.000 tons; two pro-
tected cruisers, the Newcastle and
Yarmouth of $500 tons each; two
small cruisers, the Cadmus and Clio,
of LOO tons each; twelve destroy
ers, four torpedo boats and three sub
marines; a total of $1,000 tons and
a flotilla of destroyers, torpedo boats
and submarines,
France has at present in Chinese
waters the armored cruisers Mont
calm of $500 tons, and the Duplex of
100 tons and one destroyer. Russia
has the cruiser Askold of 5000 tons
and the cruiser Schemtschug of 5000
tons, fifteen destroyers and torpedo
boats and eight submarines.
Despite this enormous advantage,
Japan is about to move her fleet of
seventeen battleships, thirteen ar
mored cruisers, fifteen protected
cruisers and seventy torpedo boats
and destroyers against the four Aus
trian and German men of war
TT is evident that Japan is taking
advantage of the situation in which
Germany finds herself, to aim a blow
indirectly against us. We have every
reason to fear the ambitions Of the
yellow race. The fight is spreading
God grant that by no dexterous trick
of diplomatic legerdemain can they
plunge us into this destructive war
"It is possible that the first change
of territory as a result of the war
will be transference from Germany
to Japan of the smiling watering
place of Tsingtau.
why does Japan want the German
leased territory Kiau Chau? Be
cause with the control of Port Ar
thur and Kiau Chau Japan would
dominate the Gulf of Chilli and the
whole of the Shantung promontory.
Japan needs it to protect her inter-
ests in Southern Manchuria.
1.-THE suggestion has been made,
and ii strikes me as a particularly
good one, for the United States TO
act as trustee for Kiau Chau, pend
ing the outcome of the war in Europe.
Germany has spent millions of doll
lars developing the harbor, the town
of Tsingtau and even the hinterland.
1t seems like an utter waste of life
and material to have the Japanese
navy annihilate the small squadron
of German and Austrian ships,
slaughter the garrison and shell the
town. If the Japanese flag ever
waves over Kiau Chau we will never
live to see the day when it will be
Withdrawn.
Germany also holds the Mariana