New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-12

card us as their enemy, it will be well
for us 70 know the facts.
Suspicious Of Britain.
japanese and American spokesman
for Japan in this country continualiy
dcnrecate any reference TO war between
Japan and the United States. Unnec..
essary references to the possibility OF
war between nations az peace are rep
rehensible. But do the japanese live
up to this policy in Japan? They do
not.
MIN" in February of this year wrote as
follows:
I'm specializing about the future,
bearing in mind what has occurred IN
the past, my brain is always cudgelledi
with the question: Which side VIII
England take in the event OF a war be
tween Japan and America?
"This may be a delicate question TO
ask, but nothing is more important
than This problem, which remains Tor
the Japanese 20 solve.
Great Britain betrayed at the third
revision of the Anglo-Japanese ALI
arce that she was ready TO desert
Jspan for Americas sake. Should this
be Wondered thoughtfully, It must be
concluded that Great Brltain's aid Will
not be Of much use 20 the Japanese
nation when a war with America has
taken place.
Probably the British may not open
IL antagonize Japan In their support
Of America; but it is indisputable that
70 rely too much upon their help would
be very dangerous optimism
"The Kokumin" is one Of the most
influential papers in Japan. This lead
ing editorial was written az the time
when the japanese were promoting
I their mooted alliance with Russia. Al
/ that time japanese newspapers openly
/ expressed the opinion that the Russo
/ japanese alliance was aimed directly
| against America And remember, in
| considering this extract with the
| others which l quote, that not merely
q rigid police censorship, but super
censorship aimed specifically at all ref
erences or comments in regard to for
eign policy is strictly maintained by
the japanese government.
Misreprosent American Acts.
The japanese newspapers, despite the
operation of this censorship, continual
American thoughts. During May OF
1919 the Manchuria "Daily News"
newspaper subsidized by the Japanese
government, published an alleged cable
dispatch with Washington date line
describing "a war meeting OF the
American Cabinet TO consider steps 20
be taken against Japan. This same dis
patch was published in many OF the
japanese newspapers.
The sole foundation for the alleged
"war Cabinet" story was a meeting OF
the Cabinet in Washington to consider
changes regarding the embargo as to
shipment Of arms TO Mexico and the
patrolling OF the Mexican border. "The
Yorodzu," q widely read japanese YER
nGcular newspaper, printed fake in
terview Of an alleged paymaster Of the
American navy who was reported 20
have said that the United States was
pushing ahead preparations for war
with Japan.
So generally was this manifest can
ard published In the Japanese vernac-
ular press that the conservative for
eiCn edited Japan Mail" felt called
upon TO cxclaim: "Where are the cen
sors? The article is a fragrant viola
tion of the Foreign Minister'S instruc-
tions 20 the press" On top Of this
came the wilful fabrication of "The
Yamato" another very widely read
publication, which informed the Jap
snese people that an American adm!ra.
lhaving reference TO Admiral Cowles),
in speech at a Chinese official dinner
at Picking, had charged Japan with per
petratlDg designs on China's integrity
and had warned his hearers 70 closely
watch Japan. Admiral Cowles made no
such speech, nor did he privately com
munlcate any such ideas TO any one IN
Picking.
"The Hochi Shimbun" (Tokio), which
Is regarded as the organ Of the Okuma
government, has the following to say
IN regard 70 American Mexican policy:
a certain military officer states that
the United States government, taking
advantage of the fact that the Euro
pean powers now have no time In which
to look after Mexican affairs, has de-
cided 70 intervene with force In order
20 restore order In Mexico and 10 estab-
lish the power Of the American govern
ment in that country. The South
American nations have not the power
20 withstand the United States. As for
Japan, unless we nave more battleships
OF the dreadnought type, in addition to
what We already have, we may not be
able 20 interfere. We regret that we
shall merely have 20 watch the unfet-
tered actions Of the United States"
The above statement was published
with editorial approval at the very
time when President Wilson and the
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