The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-03-30
Japarn and az Open Door

INA recent statement regarding the japanese
Americana side OF the Japanese Chinese ques-
ton, Count Okuma, the japanese premier, strikes
the same note as that reported in a recent adj
dress made in Chicago by DR.. Smaller Mathews,
The Japanese premier is less abrupt in his charge
that Interested Powers are seeking to involve
Japan and the United States, but the meaning Of
his diplomatic phrases is none the less clear. &c
The Sage Of Waseda, as the veteran politician
of Japan is effectionately called throughout the
Empire, is explicit concerning the intention OF
japan not to interfere rhdnls with American
rights in the Orient, while complete disclaimer
is made of the allegation that Japan desires any
suzerainity over China .rr
TOO often of late, have efforts been made to
invent some plausible cause for disruption OF
Japanese American relations" Count Okuma said.
THE would-be mischef-makers failing in this
attempt, now look upon China as the field where
the two Powers may be made to clash. As for
myself, see no reason for any such conflict.
Both England and Japan have background
ed understanding in regard to the principles of
equal opportunity (the open door, and the ter
rtorial integrity of China, and America is in real
ity good ally, though she is not formal sigma
tory to any alliance. ~ .|sEa r
There have naturally been cases where the in
terests of Individual American merchants have
FLASHED with those of Individual Japanese mer-
chants, just as there have been unpleasant relaL
tions among Japanese merchants themselves /; but
this is the inevitable result of an open door policy
and believe that equal opportunity, which means
competition, means also rivalry, which in turn
means hostility of private interests.
Nov commercial rivalry should be fought out
on the ground Of fair-play in competition Our
government does not help our merchants to con-
tend with foreign merchants in China beyond the
general encouragement which all governments
give to their subjects to further foreign trade.
Some time ago an American commission came
to the far East to investigate why American cot
ton goods are being superseded by the Japanese
article 1t was suspected that we were resorting
to unfair me5ns. The commission visited the cot
ton mills in Osaka and other places and saw for
themselves, that the Japanese cost of production
is slightly below the American and hence the
goods could be, sold more cheaply with the result
that they will sellin spite of inferior quality II
i believe that. as Americans manufacturers nav
more attention 70 their export trade, tifey WI
study foreign markets and accommodate their
products to foreign demands. They will readily
Ind the Chinese market is an open one, and that
Japan is not resorting to unfair means to control
it. feel like advising American mill-owners to
come to the East and study orr commercial meth
DDS as well as the China market.
n AS regards questions now pending between
China and japan, our demands in no way trespass
upon the principles of the open door, and China S
acceptance will not hurt in the least the right of
any third Power The strong desire of Japan is
that China should attain real dignity and indie
pendence, and should not fall prey to any nation
+ Her integrity and prosperity are not only an ad-
vantage to us, but the sole guarantee OF peace in
the far East To secure this peace is the under
lying motive of Japanese diplomacy
.&'', -"<"----