The Washington times., 1915-11-25
SOMETHING START LING FROM JAPAN.

About the time II became apparent
that the Germanic drive at CONSTANT
nople was going to be a serious affair
for the allies. and especially when IL
was realized that some OF the neutrals
were being Influenced powerfully by the
German successes in that quarter. inti-
nations began to be heard in Washing
ton that too much Germanc success
would bring something startling from
Japan.
The surprise here is. not that this ia
panese disposition Is now being admitted
In Europe. but that the announcement
has been SO long delayed. There was
a time when Japan was counted upon
TO appear as the trump card in the al
lies pack. in their diplomatic game for
Balkan support. Why II was not played
In time to prevent Bulgaria entering
the war has been Q matter OF some won
derment That II has actually been
played. IN communications with Rou-
mania and Greece and that Il has been
highly influential, 10 strongly believed.
There Is an interesting story In quar-
ters not far removed from the diplo-
matte representation of one OF the allied
| nations as to why Japan has not ap-
peared sooner as potential factor in
the western fighting. Early In the war.
II In alleged some Of the western en-
tentc powers were anxious that japan
| be drawn into the fighting They were
willing to have japanese troops sent to
Europe. but the terms were not to be
! arranged without significant and time
consuming exchanges. As the story
goes. japan could have been given the
pledge Of full indemnity for her ex-
penses in such an expedition. and con-
adorable more. But this was not what
| japan wanted.
One Leap To Power.
! Sending an army TO Europe would
have involved. for Japan. the chance to
achieve at one bound a place among
the great powers OF the world. 1t would
have cost Japan heavily. II not In treas
ure, at least In lives OF her soldiers
The leaders In Japan were unwilling
| that their soldiers should be used as
mere mercenaries. They were willing
TO fight for the vital interests of their
| country; willing to fight II assured that
In compensation they would be guaran-
teed the primacy In Far Eastern affairs
that they demanded. After that they
would have been willing to enter the
| war and to have their expenses paid
| from the treasure chest OF tn" allies.
| But the sine qua non was that the busi-
/ ness be done in way that would re-
| move all possibility OF the suspicion
that Japan's military machine was be-
ing used as a mere lfcssian army. On
| this point the Japanese Statesmen have
been sticklers. The Germans. In carry
Ing the war into the eastern Mediter-
ranean. In threatening Suez. in daring
to point the finger OF ambition in the
direction OF India. have really fulfilled
the very conditions that Japan herself
has laid down as necessary to her in
| tervcntion.
Perhaps Japanese craftsmanship is n
| trifie self-conrcious. because II knows
.,,I l.NAa t,gNt Y ~.
pleasure In contemplation Of them. A,
any rate. Tokyo has been punctiltous tc
a degree in her attitude regarding ar
entrance into the western field ~ th'
war. Japan is as devoted to the cause
| Of the allies, according to people close
to the confidence Of the Japanese agents
In this country. as England herself. But
Japan Ia playing a very different game
| She is determined on nothing less than
to eradicate. once for all. the last rcs
tige Of European pre- eiudice against tn,
Japanese people on account or their race
and color.
All Against Germany.
The natural antlpathics OF the Japan
csc people are all against Germany
Having fought a war with Russia an,
rot the anti-Russian virus "out of th.i'
systems" the Japanese have turnct
against the Germans. '"cars" ,hey r."
| II WIS 'tIi 'hth i'aii!
made necessary the evacuation of Por
Arthur after the war with China. Ger
manv upheld this demand. and imme
diatelv after II had been enforced. her
self seized kiao Chou Ray and adjaccn
territory. on the plea that II was to b,
n basis for indemnity on account Of tn
killing OF some missionaries. Then tn
seizure was Transmitted into longtime
lease OF the port and cnvifons. and ia
pan realized at once that she had an
other dangerous neighbor.
War In Europe broke out so suddenl!
/. that some things that might have bcel
prearranged II they could have bee
foreseen were not ready. The possibll
NY of Europe ever wanting a Japanes
army was about as near the calculation
| of the entente diplomats two years ag
as the idea that re-cnforccmcnts migh
be required from Mars. There was. II
tho Anglo-JRpsnese alliance treaty. am
| pie provision for the security of India
, but none looking to such a situation u
is now presented In Europe.
This situation Is Japan's opportunit.
TO establish In a diGnihed and perfect
Iy correct way her absolute equalt,
among the powers. Before the wa
there was sharp prejudice aGains
japan In both Canada and Australia
prejudice powerful enough to justif,
/ some real concern among the leaders o
British imperial thought. The Austria
: ,lian and Canadian peoples felt precise
ly as do the people OF our own Pacin