The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-15
~ JER EMIAH W. jerks.

WnlCn tHe early
rs nll Of DR.. FIX Hioki. the
japanese Minister at Pekin. n the
expected retirement of Baron kato,
Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
who directed h recent diplomatic
inroads upon China's rights and sov-
ereignty.
Eor Japan's w sake. as well as
for the sake of American interests In
the Orient. II is to I've hoped that the
Chinese newspaper IL correctly in
formed. without questioning Dr.
Htoki's ability or patriotism, as the
man whom the Chinese consider the
instrument of their humiliation. his
continued presence In Pekin can do
only harm to both countries.
The Chinese report is fortified by a
despatch from Toxic 70 American
newspapers describing a Cabinet crisis
yrecipitated by the Elder Stateeman's
criticism Of the Governments policy
respecting China.
Marquis 1nouye and Marquis Matsu-
kata, according 20 the despatch. led the
attack, charging Japanese diplomacy
with responsibility for the Chinese
boycott and the "misunderstandings
current abroad regarding Japane In
tentions."
Throughout the course Of the world
var there has been n disposition In
the United States and other neutral
countries to lament In Germany's
interest the laundering methods Of
German diplomacy. Whatever can be
said in Justice and truth in criticism
or condemnation az German diplomacy
might be repeated with treble force in
regard to Japan's handling Of her Chi
nese policy. The japanese themselves
ere beginning to realize that they have
sadly jeopardized their interests In
the Orient and In the world by prac-
tices which teven II one would not
characterize them as some do, as man
if~estations OF stupid duplicity and the
worst sort Of international brigand-
age) certainly have united the Ave
nations Of China as they have never
been united before In, open and vehe-
ment hostility toward Nippon.
DR.. Eki Hioki was the instrument
At Pekn used for the enforcement Of
Japan's aggressive policy. We ave
no right nor any reason to assume
that he exceeded his Instructions or
departed from them in the least par
ticu.ar. not even in that extraordinary
and unprecedented performance where
ignoring China's Foreign Ministry.
brushing 1t aside as II it did no exist.
he, IN January IS. put forward in per-
son the demands Of Japan in the pri-
vate reception hall OF China's pres!-
dent.
More than one very competent and
usually reliable writer has character
ised DR.. Hioki's attitude during his n
terview with President Yuan a. true
ulent." But In view Of all the extraor-
binary evidence concerning proceed
1nGs which seemed to American eyes
Enthusiastically unwise. AZ rel as un-
5uat from first to last. we have no
right to condemn DR.. Hioki personally
Tor this "truculent" behavior. II that
be true. Doubtless he acted under
orders.
The Japanese Foreign Once has
ISSUED In book form and In English
text the documents relating to the
Sino-Japanese controversy. The book
opens with the instructions of Baron
Kato to DR.. Hioki. These instruc-
tions were. we are told officially by
the Japanese Foreign Office In this
official record. handed to Oh. Hioki
with h text OF the demands on
December 3. 1914. We are told by the
Asdhi (Which while unofficial is ac-
carately informed) that 1.-THE Japanese
Government decided on the terms of
Japan's demands on China In October
Of last year Baron Kato, the Foreign
Minister. then approached Prince
famagata and other statesmen Of the
old school and explained the mani
1esto Clause by clause. asking for
their approval. At the same time the
Foreign Once summoned Minister
Hioki back to Toxic and gave in
structions with regard to 1T demands
and the method ~ negotiation. Soon
after he returned TO Pekin, visiting
the battle field Of Tsing-tao on his
way"
! have gone very carefully over the
records available concerning the neRo-
tiations at Eel and the tRaties
ana notes arising therefrom. and I
v with great regret been forced to
the conclusion that the facts constitute
. terrible charge against Japan OF
duplicity n unwise use of force. I
say this with sorrow and also with
the knowledge that many OF Japan's
most distinguishing sons must regret
as heartily as can any American or
non-Japanese the treacherous and
harsh methods employed against China
IN the name Of Japan. These are
strong words, but unfortunately they
are more than justified. Some lana
nese, even in official position. have
expressed to me personally their own
emphatic disapproval Of a policy which
even they believe gravely mistaken.
II not outside the pale Of honorable
diplomacy.
Japan must know and recognize tho
truth in her W interest. in the in
terast OF the world. end the truth is
tNat her onicial Spokesman did not tell
the truth but falsely accused China OF
misrepresentation, when the real mis- |
representation emanated from the
Foreign Office at Toxic.
II will he remembered that al,
through the months Of February
March, April and May Japanese and
American friends of Japan in this
country were iterating and reiteratinp
the advice TO suspend Judgment un-
I'll the facts can be made known. and
men you Will see hat the Chinese
ana american missionaries In China
are telling lies, that Japan IL not |
doing anything to hurt China or 10
hurt American interests in China "
All through Inc deplorable course OF
the now ma nlfaatly thraotn-l-- ---