Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-12-02
Played the Game So Japan
Was Compelled to Attack
Germans in Asia
WHAT JAPAN WANTED
WAS FREE HAND in CHINA
Has Had Enough As to Go
Further Might Bring On a
Serious Revolution

Shanghai, Dee. Japan will not be
dragged any further into the Anglo
Franco Russo. German.Austrian war than
it has already been dragged, if it can
possibly help it, mail advices received
here today from Toxic declared,
1t has been an open secret in the far
east from the very first that the mix
ado attacked the Germans at Kiao Chau
only because Japan's ally Great Brit
ain, backed up by France and Russia
practically compelled him to do so.
He had no objection to the ac-
QUESTION of Kao Chau and Germany $
insular possessions in the Pacific, but
getting them, it was generally under
stood, interfered with more important
plans he had,
The japanese idea was, according to
excellent Toxic authority, that the pre-
occupation Of most Of the world s great
occidental powers with the war in
Europe afforded an excellent oppor-
tunity to secure firm foothold in
northern China.
War Was Unpopular,
War was unpopular too, to the extent
Of threatening serious internal trouble
il it involved any considerable eXpendi.
lures or serious loss Of life, if it upset
trade or II IT continued for any length
Of time
The theory was that all the mikado
wished to accomplish in China, he could
accomplish by diplomatic means, pos
sibly with some show Of force but with
out much IL any actual fighting.
Kiao Chau was n drop in the bucket
compared with the extent of territory
the japanese wanted, and it was more
conveniently located ny well as i'm
mensely larger and infinitely more
valuable than all the kaiser s insular
possessions put together.
1t was fully recognized in Japan that
the European powers suspected some
such design On tha mikado's part end
proposed to involve him in the big wal
to such an extent that he would be too
busy to carry It out
Kiao ohau An Excuse.
This, according to the official Jap.
anese view, was why Great Britain was
30 anxious to have Kiao Chau attacked
and a campaign begun by the mikado 's
fleet against German shipping in the
Pacific That the allies really needed
japanese help was not seriously be
lieved in Toxic.
After being threatened, It was said
with the cutting Of its cables, practical
isolation and the ruin Of its trade
Japan finally yielded with as good 0
grace az possible, pretending that 1t had
intended from the first to help It's ally
Now that Kao Chau has been taken
Germany's Pacific islands seized ant
the kaiser's eastern sea strength ~
much reduced that il is no longer a yer!
serious menace the japanese are agail
free to proceed with whatever con
tinental Asiatic program they had II
mind. Their campaign against German,
did not occupy them long enough u
suit the powers purpose.
No Troops for Europe.
| Now, however, there is beginning to b,
talk Of the necessity for Nippons serv
ices against Turkey or possibly il
France-a part as the mikado's advis
ers are said to view II, Of The same oil,
plan TO keep them out Of China by Civ
Ing them too much else to do and thinl
about elsewhere.
Messages cabled here from Paris an,
London have referred TO such suggestion
as if the Japanese were anxious TO sen,
troops 10 Europe. The truth Is, accord
ing to today a Toxic adviCes, they vii
stop at almost nothing to avoid doinI
do. In fact, Il was added, 80 strongly
Ia Dublic, ma well na official Opiniol
against such q step, that TO take |
possibly would seriously endauger Tn
government.