The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-24
DR.. IYENAGA TELLS
WHY JAPAN FIGHTS
Says Country Has Simply
Proved an Apt Pupil of
Germany.
MUST GUARD THE FAR EAST

'0why Japan Declared War on Ger
many was the subject 81 lecture by DIR.
r. Iyenaga, formerly OF the University Of
Chicago. before the Japan Society ~ the
Hotel AStOr yesterday afternoon. He said
that Germany need not feel oVerchagrined
1t the capture Of ISiao-chow by the Japa-
pese. FOR tho latter have simply proved
apt pupils OF their former teachers; the
weapons military tactics and training
which reduced kiao-chuw were all pro.
yded by the Germans themselves"
THE fall OF TSiug-tao." said Dir.
tveuagi closes the first act Of the drama
IN which Japan Is taking a hand. But the
var is tar frsm being over. Japan. al
though doing at present nothing but the
policing Of the Eastern seas. is st.ll at war
with Germany At this stage 1t is absurd
10 talk ~ some are doing. about the dis
position Of the captured kiao-chow and
NJ the German islands In the South Seas.
which Japan has occupied.
who can assure Us that Japan will
not. before the war is ended, be con-
frontcd 10y a German armada followed by
The kaiser's picked legions to see whether
Itpan's victory over a few thousa nds
~ the Tsiug-tao garrison and couple
ot EuuboJts iu INao-Chow harbor was
aual or not such a contingency is Of
course remote indeed but ] cannot share
Tho easy optimism that SENS To rule
press Ia general What accomplished
military feats' warrant the inspiration
NJ such uu optimism Has not Ger
many conquered Belgium and is she not
'u q position even TO annex IL II she 80
Wis Has not Germany overrun north
ern France? Are not the German legions
invading Russian Poland and almost
knocking at the gates OF its capital?
The German armies are fighting on their
enemies soil and levying heavy fines
upon the conquered cities, and not bit
~ the fatherland has yet been wrested
from II by It's foes.
"pocs this not constitute an enormous
advantage for Germany? And the Ger
man navy too has already demonstrated
lts efficiency and performed some remark
,uic naval foits which should cause us 10
pause be fore We become too optimistic.
While / have firm faith IN the ultimate
victory ~ the Allies. 1t the same time |
cannot convince myself that It will be- an
easy jolt.
"Iu undertaking the military opera
lions beyond the war zone prescribed by
China some charge Japan with the viola
lion Of Chna's neutrality. Yes. Japan did
violate the neutrality Of china In exactly
the same sense as ENGLAND and France
would violate the neutrality Of Belgium
hy making IL the scene OF military opera
lions in their effort To drive out tho Ger
mans from that much h1ras~"d country.
pcfors Jtpgn landed her troops al Lung
foW the Germans In kiiu-chow mad /. EN-
taking military measures to- the Shhutuug
province Jar beyond the zone within which
china asked Germany AMI Japan to limit
their optratious II would then have been
suicidal for Japan 10 counnt her military
action within the su-cdllcd war zone.
Others again imDute tu Japan the viola
ton uf the principle OF Chiui's territorial
integrity should she retain Kao-chuw
after the Wir. cannot agree with such