The Washington times., 1914-06-27
THE WORLDWIDE RACE
ANTAGONIST.

The Times has repeatedly pointed
out that the controversy between the
United States and Japan over the
land question is more than a mere
international affair. 1t is an inter
racial one. It is the first presenta-
ton on the diplomatic stage of a
spectacle that will be viewed upon
that stage a good many times before
it is withdrawn. Japan and America
chance to be the star actors in the
present production; but another time
may find an entirely different cast
putting on the same piece. 1t used
to be referred to rather sensationally
as the yellow PERIL That would
be an accurate enough characterize
ton, for the purposes Of the white
nations; but the yellow nations would
be disposed to talk about the white
Peril"
There are rather more yellow and
brown people in the world than there
are white; but the whites have taken
possession of about all the land, and
are determined to keep it. Wherever
there are sparsely-peopled lands, to
which the yellow races would gladly
send their surplus numbers, white
men are in possession, at least nom-
inal possession, maintaining the
forms Of sovereignty; and without
exception, in these countries the yel-
low man is not wanted. The yellow
man Of Japan and China wants to
get into Australia and North Amer
lea. The brown men of the Indies
seek footing especially in South At
rica. Both are made unwelcome;
are barred out, with scant courtesy,
by the white people who insist that
they are going to save their terri
tory for their own race and their
own kind of people.
1t is this worldwide pressure of
the darker races to break out, and of
the white race to keep them in, that
brings as a mere incident the dis
agreement between the United States
and Japan. Other white countries
will sooner or later have to deal with
the same question. Russia will con-
front it in Siberia and China, Brit
ain meets it on her every frontier.
France recognizes it in her eastern
possessions; the United States sees
it in our Pacific States.
Just how the question, in these
broader aspects, looks to the Euro
pean eye is particularly interesting
at this moment. Therefore, in view
of the renewed concern aroused By
developments Of recent days, The
Times presents for the second time
an editorial printed early the pres
ent month by the Times of London.
1t makes clear why, in controversy
between the United States and jap
an, Britain could not actively side
with Japan. The people of the Brit
ish colonies are just as determined to
prevent the invasion of Orientals, as
are the people of our own Pacific
States:
Evidence of the intense feeling of
the people of the dominions upon the
Asiatic question accumulates almost
daily. Canada is being compelled at
this moment TO face IL in its most ag-
gressive form. South Africa has
struggled. after long years of con-
suffering on both sides. 10 compro-
mise that gives promise Of holding
good for some time to come. Incl
dents in Australia and New Zealand
constantly reveal the apprehension
with which 1t inspires them. One
sage from our correspondent at Wei
ltngton. New Zealand. which We pub
ltsh on page 473. Early in May
Gen. Sir Ian Hamilton made a speech
the Pacific ocean as the meeting
place not of nations. but of conti-
nents," where "it may be decided
whether Europeans or AsIatics are
going TO decide the destinies of the
world" The speech evoked some ad-
verse comment in Japan.
On Monday a deputation waited on
MI. Massey. prime minister of the
dominion. TO suggest that his govern
ment should apologize to Japan or en-
deavor to explain Sir Ian Hamilton's
statement. II Mr.. Massey had wanted
TO evade the issue IL would. we imag-
Inc. have been easy for him to dis
claim any responsibility for anything
said by Sir Ian Hamilton. an imperial
officer. whose business in New Zea-
land was to inspect and report on
the defense force. Mr.. Massey con-
descended TO no such evasion. He
said bluntly that he would not re-
main for a moment n member of n
government which did anything of
the sort On the contrary he implied
that the New Zealand defense act had
for its motive the fear Of Asiatic at
tack, and capped this essentially un-
diplomatic admission by a statement
that he hoped next session to pass
legislation prohibiting the entrance
of Hindus into New Zealand.
Housekeeping Englishmen may be
surprised at what may well SEEM to
them a tactless and aggressive srSte-
ment of the views held by a Colonial
politician on so delicate an issue. Dep
recating murmurs would most prob
ably greet such a declaration made by
a member of the imperial cabinet any
where within the British Isles. Yet