The Hawaiian gazette., 1915-09-17
IAPAN'S OBLIGATION
4. TO HER ALLIES

TO HER ALLIES
On the occasion Of meeting held in
honor of Baron Kato at the Airakuen,
Himeji, on August 90, the late minister
of foreign affairs made an address in
which he expressed his disapproval of
the idea Of despatching troops to Eu-
rope, according to the Kobe Herald.
In the course Of his address, he stated
that when Count Okuma organized his
cabinet in compliance with his males
tvs order last year, he made the Doshi
Kai its basis. He himself, as every
body knew, had been a member of the
cabinet until a fortnight previously,
but he had been compelled to resign
on account Of some unavoidable cir.
cumstanees. 3
Referring to diplomatic questions
Baron .Kato remarked that the actual
situation was not satisfactory. Japan
was in a very difficult position. Her
Ally was now engaged in war, and the
fate of the country was at stake. It
was said that Russia had asked Japan
to send her troops to support the Allies
and some were in favor of giving all
possible help to the Allies. For his
part, however, Baron Kato continued.
he held that the Japanese army and
navy were provided for the protection
of the interestr and rights of the EN-.
pire and, therefore, there was no ne
eessity to send troops far away to Eu-
rope, which had no direct relations
with Japan, and of sacrificing his ma
jesty's subjects. Further, as Japan had
participated in the hostilities and de-
strOyed the enemy's base of military
operations in the Orient, there was no
necessity for Japan to despatch troops
TO Europe Those who had children in
the army would be of the same opinion.
During his tenure of Office he had ex-
changed views with the military auth.
critics on this point. Now the Powers
| in Europe had millions of men at the
front, which extended hundreds of miles.
Such being the case, even if Japan de.
spatched q hundred or fifty thousand
men to Europe, no honor and advantage
would be gained. In addition, Japan
had not sufficient transports to send
troops, arms and munitions.
If the government decided to send
troops to Europe millions of deep-sea
tonnage would be required. Even if
|
of the Allies, the expenditure would
amount to billions of yen and Japan
was unable to meet such an enormous
expenditure. Suppose, even it Japan
could get an indemnity and obtain
territory after the conclusion of the
war, where could japan secure the to"
ritoryi The German territory in the
Orient and in the South Seas had al
ready been occupied. In the long run
Japan would be unable to secure use,
full territory even il Africa and Europe
were searched for the purpose. AS to
the indemnity, however rich Germany
might be, she would not be able to
satisfy the Allies.
| Under these circumstances, II was
quite impossible for Japan to despateh
troops to Europe at present, either in
view of the principles involved or the
probable result of the war. While he
was in office, in accordance with a re-
quest of Russia, arms were supplied to
her. 1t was fact that Russia had
placed another big order for arms lately.
In connection with this, he could say
that although Japan was not able to
entirely satisfy Russia, she wOuld give
her every possible assistance. As to
the war situation, Baron Kate remark
ed that although nothing was known
as to when the hostilities would ter
inmate it was surprising that Germany
had shown that she possessed plenty
Of war funds, but now things had
reached a climax, and her influence
would not last long The supply of
arms and munitions was well arranged
in France, but Great Britain s supply
was not regular and sufficient, owing
to the country heiug accustomed to a
long peace.
The drill Of the British army was
imperfect and it had not made anv
particular development during the past
year. Even the nation was not thor
oughly united, The unsatisfactory re
suits achieved by the British army were
due to the development of individual
ism. The idea of duty among the Brit
ish people towards the state was infe-
rior to that of the Japanese. There WAS
great difference between the patriot,
ism Of the Japanese and that of the
English. Lately views had been ex
pressed in England in favor of adopting
system of CONSUMPTION. Although
there was ample room to increase the
production Of arms and munitions in
England, even this end could not easily
he carried out. Russia could still out
lO, 900 900 men in the field, but owing
to the lack Of arms, she was not able
to send them to the front.
On the whole, the present war might
well be considered competition IN
endurance between Germany aud the
Allies, bat common sense prevented one
from believing that Germany could en-
duFe longer than the Allies.