The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-30
WHAT Mr.. WILSON MEANT.
Expiaaasiea Of she CrypsSo Perseassso ~
Hih Panama Tells Address.

/
Expianasiso Of shs CvypeSo Perssssssn q
Hh Panama Tells Address.
Prom Ssscssi Cersssosds~s 81 Tus Sun.
WASHINGTON. March 2S.--Ever since
President Wilson addressed the Con-
gress on March 8, pleading for the re-
peal of the PAnaznA tolls exemption. the
concluding sentence Of his speech hae
been the subject Of controversy and
speculation. It was:
ask this Of you in support Of the tor.
eign policy Of the Administrator. shall
not know how to deal with other matters
Of even greater delicacy and nearer con-
sequence n you DO not grant Il TO me In
ungrudging measure
The question. What did the President
mean7 has been answered In . dozen
different ways. Many persons have be-
lieved that he had the Mexican situa-
ton in mind when no spoke thus seri-
ously. Others have held that our South
American relations inspired his Thought.
Still othors suspected an undisclosed
dispute with ono Of the Powers OF Eu-
rope AL OF cheese conjectures missed
the fact. The treatment Of the JApa-
nese problem Ii what lay in tho back OF
the Presidents mind.
Tho principal diplomatic authorities
Of the United States are more troubled
over the relations of this country with
Japan than over It's dealings with any
other country japan to-day must be
considered M a democracy. not as an
autocracy. Her people. after centuries
Of submission to a divine rulership. have
asserted themselves within the empire.
Bats O., 10
boundaries Of the island kingdom.
The process Of readjustment inside OF
Japan has been In progress since the
Chinese war II went forward with
giant strides IN the Russian war An
Asiatic Power In that contest defeated
European Power, and at its conclu-
sion n yellow people found itself for
the first time in modern history in alli-
ance, offensive and defensive, With q
white people
The aggrandizement OF the Japanese
Government was accompanied by . COM
pete change In tho political condition Of
the Mikado's subjects. They emerged
from their previous status as subjects Of
u god and advanced TO the consciousness
VI citizenship In their own nation. The
Mikado ceased to be- a higher and more
potential being, and was reduced to the
plano OF a constitutional monarch &C.
tually subordinate to the Constitution.
This change in tho relations between
the japanese and their Government re-
ceived enormous announcement from
the Chinese rebellion and the establish
mcnt on the Asiatic mainland OF q re-
public manned and managed by men
of yellow skins.
With the internal revolution q revo-
luton not less complete because blood
less, the Japanese. sustained by their
military and diplomatic successes and
advances, took account Of tho manner
In which they were treated throughout
the world. and particularly In this coun-
try. That their nationals were denied
admission to the United States on terms
Of equality with those of other countries
was "A source OF constant and increas-
Ing political humiliation and economic
loss to them. That the discrimination
should be wiped out became the fixed
ambition. not OF the statesmen compos-
Ing the ministry, but OF the people
themselves, people no longer inarticu.
late and easily silenced. but armed with
real power for the direction OF their
public affairs.
Before the change was wrought in the
japanese people the maintenance of an
effective bar to their Immigration was a
thing easily accomplished. \ gentlemens
.creement sufiiced. The ruling classes of
Japan were willing the gate should he
closed To common labor: the Govern
ment OF the United States was aware
that 1t must be. Every Administration
at Washington which has had to deal
with this question has recognized that
by some means, diplomatic, legislative or
executive. the Asiatic immigration must
be kept down. But a gentlemen's agree
ment is impossible with 81 900. 900 per-
sons. among whom are not lacking dem
agogues. when Its terms are that they
are inferior TO tho other party to the
understanding. Something moro tangi-
BILE Is necessary In such a situation.
That the Japanese should be admitted
10 this country as freely as the Irish the
Germans, the English or the French Is
the contention of the japanese. eager
for the profitable occupation OF their
crowded population. and ambitious TO
remove the Notifying ban under which
they now smart. That they cannot be |
admitted on equal terms with the peo-
pie OF Europe Is realized by the Govern
ment nj Washington. The Administra-
ton that advocated this policy would |
be doomed from the moment OF its an
nouncement. Behind the demand for
equal rights Is japanese democracy.
young, inflated with pride. contemptuous |
of the world. behind the closed door Is a |
democracy as determined and not less |
confident OF its power.
IL has been said that were the jan
anese TO force their Government to war |
with tho United States over our policy
OF exclusion they must cross the Pacific |
to assail us. This Is not so. We should
be compelled to cross the Pacific to de-
fend ourselves. Japan would strike At
our possessions in the Far East, and her
blow would call for answer not on the
Pacific coast OF our mainland hut at
the distant spot where II was delivered.
That our affairs with Japan are not
In satisfactory condition Is no secret.
They cannot be until a final and con-
elusive settlement OF the matter Of dis
elimination has been attained. The ne
cessity for considering the subject may
arise at any moment. The next crisis
VIII be more mcnacing than its prede-
cessor The temper of the Japanese is
being aroused continually to IA higher
pitch OF resentment and anger and there |