Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-12


similar policy In the western Asiatic.
has admitted the necessity of all these
japanese demands, many of which
look SO sinister to the Occidental.
| What the United states has done
about the matter, 80 far Is merely TO
keep itself posted on the facts as they
developed. That she has done this Is
not everywhere admitted. Many in
| uividuals acquainted with the Orient
believe we are in the dark as to the
facts.
II is admitted that the original de-
mands OF Japan on China were not
reported In full to- the powers. IL Is
again admitted that when japan fin
ally did submit supplementary list,
including the twelve not first reported,
that she again changed and increased
the demands and that these new de-
mands were not reported. Hence II
may be doubted whether the whole
are now in the possession OF the
United states. II might be asked why
there should be any mystery about
them? Why should not China give out
the demands on her as fast as they
are madee Because China has been
cowed into a numb state, by the threat
that an ultimatum will follow any
leak from her capital. China knows
that this would be her finish. japan
would overrun her territory before
the powers woke up. She therefore
acquiesces In the policy OF silence be-
cause she feels that poor as II Is, 1t is
better than an open break at this
stage.
Great Britain Has Hands Full.
Second: Ii the United States has
no IN In ma
is she depending on Great Britain for
help to moderate the demands of the
British ally? This is problematieal.
Great Britain has been almost silent
on the subject. She feels that she has
her hands fun. she probably regrets
now bringing Japan into the war at
all. Germany in China was only an
itching pimple compared with the
rash that Japan may become. Eng
lands interests there far transcend
ours. We have no ambitions that Eng
land may not share. But Japan APP
pears to be seeking an exclusive po-
sition. Whether she likes II or not
Great Britain is unable to bulge at
the present time. she is more than
likely to hide her time. But her time
may not be our time, unless some
pressure may be brought TO bear
through the present war. Great Brit
ain Is greatly dependent on this coun-
try in the war. Her representatives
here understand the situation. They
are as anxious as we are over the va
rious annoyances of Germany's at
tacks on our commerce. They are
anxious for fear we get drawn into
the war. our present position when
We make food and clothing and mu-
nitions for sale suits her better. II
we were In the war We should be
keeping for ourselves many Of the
things we now supply her with. She
would far rather we kept out of the
war even as an ally She has the same
objections to our being in war else
where. This thought prompts the idea
prevalent that when we get thorough
ly acquainted with the japanese ques-
ton and are prepared to say where
we shall ask Japan to draw the line
we may exert pressure on the English
through the threat of an embargo to
induce her to take a strong stand
with us in China.
Wilson Has Fighting Blood.
The third assumption, that the
game is against us and not worth the
fight, is based upon the generally pa
cific attitude of the administration. II
does not seem to see that 1t is sui
ficient to be determined not to fight.
but we must advertise the fact that
under no conceivable circumstances
will we draw the sword. This assump-
ton does the administration great
injustice President Wilson has fight
ing blood IN him. He will let 1t run
freely IL he approves the cause. If he
went to war he might need a new
secretary Of state who had not de-
elared himself so strongly against
war But it is not certain that this
would be necessary. 1t is remember
ed that President Mckinley fought
the Spanish war with a secretary of
the navy who was a leader in the
Massa chusetts Peace society,
The United States would be 1oath
TO go to war about any oriental aues-
ton in which her interests were not
directly involved. She has no interest
there which is not also the interest
of Great Britain, France. Germany
and Russia Her present attitute is
consistent with the thought that ia
pan, having ousted Germany from
China, aud being q party to the war
must also be party to the peace
When that time comes, her demands
on China will be part of the general
settlement Japan may then, If the
allies are Successful, get considerable
out of the peace congress, but this
country is satisfied that she will not
get all nor nearly all of what she
now expects. So does Japan. And
this appears to lie why she is trying
to hurry the old man of China to
make his will in her favor. The Unit
cd states, it is certain, will not allow
the will to be probated, without taxi
- ~ 10 tl,o bfQhpct eourt