The Washington times., 1914-06-26

Will United states 1leld:
Will the United States. now placed in
a position similar to that in which
Britain stood at that time, accept Jap
ans suggestions?
That question seems to he timely and
exactly in point.
F,r the time beng. the two countries
haNa reached a deadlock in their GeSO-
tiations. though they have not dropped
,hsir consideration.
II is significant of the critical condi-
tion at this moment, that Japan forced
the publication OF the correspondence
Washington. il developed today, did
not want to make II public. Japan in
sisted. and thus Washington was forced
to agree ON simultaneous pubnCaticn In
both capitals.
Back of this bit of diplomatic insist
ence in forcing the hand of Washington
is the political situa ton in Japan. where
the tingH party has just come into pow
er, pleoSed to a more vigorous policy
in dealing with the United States.
The ar1amoto ministry. which re-
Gently retired, had not satisfied the rad
icals of Japan. Had it remained in
power. almost certainly, there would
have been no such amazing move as
Togyo's insistence on Immediate publ
cation Of this diplomatic CORE spoEdence.
But the Kato ministry, playing to the
socialist and extreme radical elements
that have in recent years become very
powerful and boisterous, has lost no
time in launching on a course that could
not fail to be offensive to the United
States.
When President Wilson graphically
informed Congress and the country that
he must. have the canal tolls repeal
low in order to make his way easier
In other diplomatic directions, there
was general understanding that he re-
ferred. to Japan.
Japan To Brook No Delay.
In view of what has now happened
there can hardly be doubt on this point
Japan Is willing to brook delay no
longer. Britain is Japan's ally and our
friend. Critics of the Administration
have freely charged that, in effect,
President Wilson was surrendering our
sovereignty over the canal in order to
buy the good will of Britain in view
of pending trouble over the Oriental
situation.
1t can hardly be denied, now, that
strong color of reasonableness is given
to this charge. by the sudden demon
stration Of the seriousness of the phase
into which the Japanese negotiations
have entered.
London, with its eyes habitually
turned to all the corners Of the world,
with the habit of seeing all worId-politi-
cal affairs through the spectacIes Of
British imperial interests. Will grasp
the gravity, of this Japanese American
position very promptly. Without doubt
Britain would willingly make a good
bargain in friendship and antilles, if
occasion presented; and it looks as If
she had done it.
IL 1t is true that England forced the
tCHs-law concession from the Wilson
Administration by reason of her sun
posed lnnuence with Japan, then the
anair has produced a political issue of
me nrst Saliber. People familiar with
throughout the British empire, will not
ADMIT that it was necessary to surren-
DER our canal-control in order To keen
britain neutral in conflict with Japan.
Brltain would not dare give her sup
port to japan, for il would imperil her
very empire.
Becomes Great Issue.
All these aspects of the affair will he
forced into discussion in Europe. in
Japan and here. The time for effective
assembling in about at an end. Great
Britains embarrassment will be onlv
less than that of the Washington gov
ernment, II matters go on TO a condi-
ton that menaces the peace of the
world.
That the politicians are prepared in
StahtiS u MAKE lne most OF the pOSsi-
bilities in the situation now presented.
Is indicated by some observations on
Bryan Wilson diplomacy that were de-
lvered by Senator William Alden Smith.
Of Michigan, a Republican member of
the Foreign Relations Committee, to-
day. He said:
The japanese correspondence does
not surprise me in the least. | have
said all along that II England could put
her tolls program through our canal
over, the next move would be from her
ally, Japan. In fact, everyone now
feels that under this Administration
they can put over anything. There was
never so little stability or consistency
in the management of our foreign af-
fairs as under this Administration. In
the eyes Of the world. We are an easy
mark.
Series OF Blunders Charged.
In my opinion. both Wilson and
Bryan and hopelessly at sea without
rudders or compasses or charts. And
the indefensible demands now made
upon us from every quarter of the
world are but the result of temporizing
and lack of understanding on the part
of this Administration. This proposed
raid is a crime and never