Evening journal., 1915-08-06
Count Okuma Explains
Japan's Chinese Policy

SAN FRANCISCO. Aug. THE
conduct Of Japan toward China is
explained especially for American
understanding by Count okuma the
japanese premier. IN a message which
has been given by Or Clay MacCaul-
ey. an American clergyman and au-
thor who for many years has been
resident of Toxic and an active
leador in the American and Japanese
peace societies.
Count Okuma is said to desire
greatly that the American UNDER
standing OF Japan's relations with
China be clarified in some particu-
lars and Or. MacCauley. who has
enjoyed close personal acquaintance
with the premier, undertook 10 graft
ify the latter's wish by reporting q
summary of half an hours inter-
view with Count Okuma. through an
interpreter. This summary. Is de-
scrihed by Dr. NacCauley as a faith-
ful one. but not an effort TO repro
duce the counts remarks literally.
THE rise of Japan" the premier
began, has induced some unrest IN
the west In the histories OF ma
tions. we see that often with the
genesis and growth Of a new nation
ality. violent aggressions. accompa-
MED by various barharites and
sometimes atrocities, have marked
their advance Il is not 10 be won
dered at therefore. that the rise and
expansion of Japan have drawn 70
them a suspicious attention in the
west especially since the passing Of
the China-Japan war. 20 years ago.
The United States has gained its
present greatness and power as the
result Of a long process Of annexa-
tions of territory by both purchase
and conquest. You know that the
enormous Louisiana territory was
bought by your countrs and that
Texas and California came TO you
through conquest. by these acts OF
conquest Mexico. directly. must lose
greatly. Yet indirectly. Mexico has
been benefited immeasurably by the
conduct of her strong and faithful
neighbor-the United States. II, for
example. your country had been in
diferent or passive so years ago as ia
what then occurred in Mexico, that
country would have come under a
rule Of the French dynasty.
"Now il is not going too far to say
that a very good parallel can be
drawn between the relation at pres.
ert existing between Japan and China
and that guiding the conduct of the
united States towards Mexico in the
mast the only noticeable difference
being in the relative magnitude and
resources Of the nationalities Of the
Far East China has been supported
either directly or Indirectly by Japar
for a long time Had this not beer
the case. the ancient Chinese republic
now the newest republic-woulC
have collapsed long before this.
Japan has never attempted OF
w'sh to do away with the sovereign
integrity and national independence
OF China
'The course Of the recent in;erna
tional affairs between Japan AM
China seems TO have occasioned som
severe criticism in the west, but IN
diplomatic motives and the conduo
of the discussions have been righ
and very just.
1T was evident 10 Japan that N
German occupation OF Tsing-Tau, wa
serious menace ana peril TO tn
peace OF the Far East With the c,
operation Of the British army an
navy, the Japanese forces brougl
about a surrender VI the Kiau-Cha
fortress. But il is equally evident
Japan that the occupation of TsiI
tau is useless and undesirable. B'
cause Of this fact even if there weI
ernment will return the Kiau-Cha
territory TO china. At the same tim
however. Japan wishes by way O