Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-10-06
BARON Won SCHOEN'S IALKOF
JAPAN IRRTATES THE PRESIDENT

to withdraw the American troops from
Vera Cruz at this time was "desper.
ate shame" and that the president
could not have been fully informed or
he would not have given such an or
der. Although the British ambassa.
dor promptly called up Secretary Bry-
an to state that the interview, wheth-
er actually given by Sir Lionel Car
den or not, was contrary to the rules
of the British foreign office and there
fore unauthorized, the state depart
ment next day sent a formal inquiry
to the British government requiring
that 1t inquire of Sir Lionel as to the
authenticity of the interview. A reply
to this inquiry is still awaited here.
The administration is making every
effort to keep net only the United
States government but the American
people and all those living in the
United States in a strictly neutral
attitude during the great war in Eu-
rope. The Baron Won Schoen inter
view is therefore regarded as unus-
ually offensive because 1t is caIcu-
lated to arouse sentiment in this coun-
try against one Of the belligerents
and her ally. .:,..
Administration officials take the
stand that it is as little as the diplo-
mats can do to respect the attitude
of this government in its efofrts to pre-
serve American neutrality. Further
more, there Is no subject of which the
administration is more intensely de-
sirous that discussion should be avoid
ed than the relations between the
United States and japan, which owing
to unsettled controversies are, to say
the least, delicate. -: +. -
Il have heard many persons in ia
pan say they believe war with the
United States is unavoidable" said
Baron on Schoen. From repeated
statements of this sort have come
to believe that it is the general opin-
ion of the Japanese people. / have
seen further evidence of very strong
anti-American feeling. There seems
to be intense hatred for the United
States throughout Japan. T.
No German Enmity. s~-l II
Il have just come from Japan, hav-
ing been transferred to Washington.
An astonishing thing about the war.
is the complete apathy of the Japan
csc people toward it. The people have
no interest in 1t at all. In. England.
Russia and France there was really an
anti-G German feeling and patriotic dem
onstrations for their own countries
were held, but nothing of the kind
took place In Japan. A. stranger in
the country would not have known
from appearances that Japan was at
war.
Before war was declared there
were preparations for it, and the peo-
pie said yes, 1t is for Russia or Amer
lea. When the Mexican government
sent Senior Francisco de la Barra on
a special mission to Toxic there were
great demonstrations. although there
was no feeling Of admiration by the
people for the Mexieans despite the
alleged race kinship. It was the trou-
BILE between Huerta and the United
States that gave the people an oppor-
tunity, on the occasion Of Barra's-
visit, to vent their feelings in great
anti-American demonstrations
Il remember Just after going to Ja-'
pan in 1913, during the negotiations
between WASHINGTON and Toxic over
the California alien land act, an Incl
dent impressed me- lived rather
close to the United States embassy
and one morning as r went by it TI
saw that some japanese people had
written on the walls in big sentences
In English insulting the United States
Sees United States Danger.
There was a strong pro-Mexican
feeling in Japan when the United
States had difficulties with that re-
public on account Of the Japanese an
tagonism to the United States. Should
both Japan and England be victorious
In this war-which of course / do not
believe is possible--the danger to the
United States will be great.
Japan was not bound by the Anglo
Japanese alliance to enter this war.
She came to England's aid because
England urged her to- japan was not
Her declaration of war
said that the presence of German
forces at Tsingtau and of German war
ships in eastern waters was a menace
TO the peace of the East. 1t is fact
that between August Z and Is we
suggested to Japan to neutralize the
Far East to abstain in that sphere
rom warlike preparations, but Japan
would not assent. II |
The main idea of Great Britain in
getting Japan into the war was to do
IS much damage to Germany as posi- |
Die. Tsingtau is of no value to Ger !
many. Japanis action is resented by
Germany most for sentimental rea-