The Washington times., 1914-08-16
REASONS FOR ACTION BY JAPAN.

DR.. Iyenaga believes that Japan will
be forced to join England against Ger
many in the Far East
But" added DR.. Iyenaga, hastily
and emphatioally, as soon as he had
expressed this opinion to a reporter
yesterday, IF Japan does join forces
with England, it will be for three rea-
sons, and three only: Because she is
compelled to do SO by her treaty cbf-
cations TO Great Britain: because 1t will
be necessary for her to protect her own
and England's interests in the Far East,
and because We will feel called upon to
uphold justice.
We japanese wish the attitude of
Japan clearly understood In America
There Is no desire or intention In Japan
to go into the war for territorial ag-
gression in China or anywhere. Rumors
have been spread in China and America
to the effect that Japan considered the
war good opportunity to seize terri
tory in China and elsewhere in the
East, that Japan wanted TO go into the
war for her own aggrandizement. Every
one of these rumors has been started
by the Germans in the hope of stirring
up sentiment against Japan in China
and the United States. and none Of
them is true.
The Germans know that If Japan Is
forced into the struggle she will COM
bine with England to blockade the har-
Dor of Tsing-tau, or even to occupy the
city itself. Tsing-tau is Germanys
Chinese colony, and II is from this port
that the German cruisers which have
been disturbing the trade of the East
operate. Germany would have no base
of operations in the East IL Tsing-tau
were occupied or bottled up. and she
knows IT, She also knows that the
IandnRGa fleets
could take Tsing-tau, SO she in natural
ly frightened. In the hope that senti-
ment in China and the United States
may prevent Japan's helping England.
American sympathy and even help to
Germany, the rumors have been started
and assiduously kept going.
No Truth in Rumors.
But there is no truth in the rumors
at all. Japan has no idea of seizing
any territory, nor is she in any way
seeking self-aggrandizenent.T The treaty
obligations to Great Britain and Japans
desire for protection and justice will
alone lead Japan into the struggle. II
Great Britain does not call upon Japan.
or II conditions in the East do not be-
come menacing to Japan. England and
justice, Japan win not go into the
struggle"
DR.. Iyenaga said that the japanese
people were with the government in
its attitude and were prepared pa
triotically TO stand by England and TO
fight on EngIand's side should the
necessity for hostilities arise.
Up TO the present time" said TAX
ashi Nakamura, consul general of
Japan in New York. yesterday. Il have
received no news, either official or other
wise, as to the attitude of my country
in the present European war.
Mr.. Nakamura's statement was made
as the result of the publication OF news
in which II was said that the
apanese army was mobilizing. its navy
was stripped for action and that II
was only a question of few days at
the most before the Island Empire. as
the ally of Great Britain. would issue
Consul General Nakamura said that so
far as he knew there was absolutely no
Justification for these reports.
Relations With U. S. Unaffected.
One thing that Mr.. Nakamura was
very emphatic about and which he de-
as utterly without foundation,
was the suggestion contained in some
Of the dispatches that action by Japan
might embarrass the United States in
the Far East, particularly as Japan in
the event that she goes to war. would
probably seize the German possessions
in the Pacific, among them German
Samoa and the Caroline islands, both
Of which possessions are near possess
sions of the United States and either of |
which. IT was pointed out. would make |
a splendid naval base for the Mikado's |
navy.
They say the Japanese navy is |
ready continued Mr.. Nakamura, but !
see nothing alarming in that. Any |
up-to-date navy is always ready. and | |
hope that Japsn's navy is no exception |
to the rule. But ! want to say, and |
want to emphasize II to the utmost. that !
no matter what the attitude Of japan