The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-16


OF troops upstate, far outside the war
zone, and occupying, say, Rochester
or Buffalo.
Would the American people be dis
posed to regard such proceedings as
manifestations of friendship?
Violation of Neutrality.
Yet this, precisely, was what Japan
did to China when she seized, by
strong hand. Tiinanfu. fie capital of
Shantung, ESQ miles from Tsingtao.
ordering her troops about as IL no
war zone existed.
When, In January. China abrogated
the war zone. ttwo months after the
fall of Tsingtao) its necessity no longer
existing. the japanese press seethed
and frothed in Indignation against
China. War was demanded. China
must be Inundated and taught the res
pect due to Japan. chorused the jap
nece Press. despite the vigorous CEN
sorship which always obtains in Ja.-s..,
As will be seen. this fact, also. is most
important. We too often forget this
rigid press censorship in Japan. 1t is
a factor OF great import in making
In Judgment concerning Japan's
methods
Here in America we were told that
the abrogation of the war zone by
China was the reason why Japan was
compelled in Chinas interest and in
order to protect her own existing
rights and interests in Bolua and
Mapchuria, to present at Picking the
demands which have amazed and
panied the civilized world. Is that a
fact? Japan's own official documents
declare the contrary.
Deliberate Plot Of Japan.
Proof that Japan deliberately plot
ted to undermine The sovereignty OF
China, to tread upon the foot her
protestations and pledges, to shut the
open Door" in the face of America
and Europe: to make China to all in
tents and purposes a japanese pro-
vince. is furnished by Japan, herself.
/ in the book issued by the Japanese
Foreign Office containing the official
documents concerning the Sino-Japa-
nese negotiations.
The first document in this very re-
markable book is, as ] have said, the
note of instruction of Baron Kato.
Japanese minister for Foreign Affairs,
to Doctor Hioki. And the date of this
document lis December 3. China did
not abrogate the war zone until Jan
uary Z.
! 1t is thus established that China's
abrogation of the war zone could not
have been the cause for the presenta-
ton of these demands. because the de-
mands were In Doctor Hiokis pocket
full month, and more, before this
so-called cause" happened. They
were in Doctor Hiokis pocket for
forty-six days before they were pre-
sented, on January Is, defying every
! diplomatic precedent, directly to the
/ President of China. And this is not
all.
'Talcidand Straightforward"
( Five days after the date borne by
its note OF instruction TO DIR. Hioki.
transmitting the twenty-one demands,
I Baron Kato addressed the Japanese
| Diet In a speech which was warmly
praised by the Times of London as
admirably lucid and straiRhtfor-
ward" Baron Kato declared that "the
relations between Japan and her al
/ lies had grown more intimate than
/ ever, and that all were perfectly frank
with one another in their exchange
Of views" When he made this state
ment Baron Kato was we'll aware of
! the fact that his instructions to DIR.
Hioki handed to him five days pre-.
viously, jeopardized without qualm or
/ qualification, British interests in China,
valued at more than $500 900: and
! assailed in front and In flank vital
British principles of policy in regard
to the development of the Yangtze
region.
! 1t is impossible TO accept Baron Ka-
| to's declaration to the Japanese Diet
! without coming to the conclusion that
Sir Edward Grey. the British foreign
minister, merits impeachment at the
bar of the British parliament. Be-
cause. when the Sino-Japanese con
= g. Itar a,at -
! Edward stoutly denied that British
4 interests were endangered We have
just seen that they are endangered
I to the extent of hundreds of millions
| of pounds sterling. Who was II failed
to tell the truth--Sir Edward Grey or
| Baron Kato?
| The nation of London declares that
4 the proved proceedings of Japan as
4 sail the very basis of the Anglo-Jap-
! anese Alliance, that the Alliance can
/ not longer continue If Japan does not
modify her policy before 1t Is too late,
! That Is a matter which Britain and
Japan must decide for themselves. The
American interest is much broader.
muoh bigger 1t concerns general
principles of interest to Japan as we'll
as to the rest of the world.
/ Is the word of Japan to be trusted,
or are the Japanese. rs their critics
assert. steadily. deliberately and per-
sistently, through obliquely under
mining international interest in Asia,
conspiring against China, Britain and
! America in Asia, while posing as the
friend of China and Of America, and
! still solemnly to Great Britain ais her
ally?
In a recent article published by the
| Saturday Evening Post, Mr.. Samuel G.
| Blythe, a writer whose impartiality
lcould not be assailed, quotes from Of
| ficial sources some secret Japanese
/ reports regarding Investigations in
China. Among other things these re-
ports say. More troops may be dis
patched from Tsingtao In the future
and brought into communication with
our troops in Picking All central
| China will then be within our grasp"
And further on F'ukuda, this Japanese
emissary reported thus:
/ "Tsae possession of each and every
strategic position below Hankow. Kiu-
/ lSiang and Ta-tung should be the OBJ
/ ject of Japan's aim. For our military
strength In the yangtze Valley we
SHOULD station many regiments In such
Nay that they shall be In direct
communication with each other In or
der to give adequate mutual support.
In Hankow we already have an am
pie force sufficient for any emergency
| in the Yangtze II we can still fur