The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-09-02

| tuuS surveys lne entry OF Japan INTO
the war. laying stress ON that country's
methods since il defeated China in
1894 and declaring frankly his dis
trust of her pledge (nothing in writing
however, he points ouD that she will
operate only against Kiau-chau or
other places in the orient:
The titanic struggle between the ma
tions OF Europe has centered almost
exclusively the attention of most OF
us upon IT, The fluctuations of COM
bat, the details OF battles have been
so intently followed that what 10
| Transporting To the westward, in the
orient, has received "a secondary, IL
not watched the passing events
| there.
And yet. to my mind. the declara-
| ton OF war against Germany by Ja-
pan is a matter fraught with posi-
bilities. even probabilities, and may
be OF such serious moment to this
country as to arouse grave appre-
hension. The character of the Jap
anese people and the geographical
position of the German possessions in
the Far East lend strength to this
condition of mind, and have brought
near to us international disturb
ances with which we will have to
deal eventually, il may be. to the
extent of issuing an ultimatum to
Japan, with its possible consequences.
\ summary OF the steps taken by
Japan is necessary to make this clear:
About 10 days ago Japan issued
an ultimatum To Germany, n COM
pliance with which was time Limited
to noon the 23rd of August last Sub
stantially. within that time Japan
required Germany to transfer her
possessions I'm China, Kiao-C to
Japan, who was strong enough to
hold them NJ which time Japan would
give them over To China.
Parenthetically, who will determine
when that time will arrive? Japan, OF
course.
Germany's reply TO this ultimatum
almost at the last moment of its
termination, was, that she was will
ing to surrender them direct to
China. This would not do: Japan
said that if Kiao-Chou was not deliv-
cred to her before the time expired,
she would declare war and seize it.
and hold it by right of conquest, but
still expressed her intention to turn
over the territory to China when at
some future time the latter would be
strong enough to hold it. To this
Germany gave no reply.
Immediately thereafter Japan de-
clared war against Germany and ut
| this present a fleet and army have
been sent To capture Using Tau,
the fortified principal town of the
| Germany colony in China.
When Japan's ultimatum was is-
sued. that country indirectly and
informally, gave our ambassador at
Toxic to believe that her seizure of
German possessions would be con-
fined to those lying in the China sea,
that the islands in the Pacific ocean
belonging to Germany would not be
disturbed.
England, the ally of Japan, through
its representative in Washington,
reiterated this restriction of Japan's
actions TO our secretary OF state.
Later IL was stated in the press dis
patches that Toxic paper, in
spired by the highest authority"
gave assurances-easily repudiated
by the government. if necessary
that the activities of Japan would be
directly solely to the seizure of the
territory held by Germany in China.
Singularly, up to this date, we nave
been unable TO obtain this assurance
through the proper diplomatic chan-
nels from Japan. No written official
confirmation OF these expressions has
been given To the United States
though our government has made
more than one effort to obtain II,
and finally is forced to comfort It
ELF by virtually informing Japan
that-broadly-we are trying to be-
lieve what she orally states, Dut
what she will not put in writing.
Now comes the news that Japan
announces that hostilities in the
China seas will end with the capture
of Kiao- Chou, after which Japan VIII
no longer take any part in the war
but-note this-if the Germans
should prove menace to commerce
i'm the south seas, Japan would, Win
England's concurrence. drive Ger
many from all OF her present posses
sions in the orient.
am not slow to believe that Japan
| will find this menace to commerce
impending at an early date. All the
islands possessed by Germany VIII DC
seized, partition OF them made be-
tween England and Japan, the FORMER
taking those contiguous to her posses
sions in the south seas, and the latter
those lying about the Philippines anu
eastward toward the United States.
And this latter possibility Is what
concerns us.
| We have islands, naval stepping
stones, SO to speak, lying between oui
west coast and the Philippines name
ly. Hawaii and Guam. Each or THESE
is strongly fortified, with drydocks
naval stores and coal. forming secure
bases for our navy in the event of nos