Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-07
Japan's Ultinlatum to China

IAPAN'S ultimatum. which demands within
j forty-eight hours Chiua's complete yield
ing to her arrogant requirements. threatens
further and grave disturbance to the remnant
OF the worlds peace, and international COM
plications which may involve the United
States. The State Department at Washing
ton must look with apprehension and even
with alarm this latest development of the
Far Eastern situation, which has been hatch
ing trouble and menace for many weeks.
1t is predicted from Picking that China will
appeal for protection to this country and to
the powers Of the triple entente. The latter,
OF course, will be embarrassed greatly, for
the great they waging absorbs their
interest and their energies, and Japan is Brit
aims ally, already used at rsingchau to pull
Britains chestnuts ont of the fire.
Chinas appeal will be scarce less embar-
RAISING to us. We stand and have stood for
the policy of the 'open door" and for China
territorial integrity and unimpaired SOW
ereignty, but going war in support of our
views Of how matters should he regulated in
the Orient is rather different matter. The
country would not approve the sacrifice of
American lives in an enterprise of this char
acter.
On the other hand. we cannot view without
misgvng or endure without protest the atti-
tude OF Japan. so destructive OF all that has
been done in recent years for China's free
dom and upbuilding We owe something to
civilization, which the war has left peculiarly
in our keeping. All Europe is either lighting
or threat ened with being drawn into the con-
fiict, while we are far removed from that
titanic struggles pressing dangers We can
not hear Chinas piteous appeal and remain
unmoved.
Perhaps the President will find it possible
to tender his good offices TO China and Japan
for the purpose of reconciling their differ
ences Frank discussion, in the spirit #
sympathy with and friendship for all Of
Japans just ambitions, might we'll induce a
modification OF the Japanese program. At
any rate, it is worth trying
1t is bitter commentary on the civiiza-
ton of the white races that Japan has learned
her lesson from Europe. For many. many
years 1t has been the custom of European
nations to take advantage of the difficulties
of rival powers to extend their own domnions
or their own spheres of influence Japan
now is doing that very thing. Perhaps we
shall modify our indignation little when we
recall the precedents for the action which
inspires il.
Modifying Indignation does not mean that
we shall withhold censure. Japan already
has broken faith with China, for in announc-
ing the purpose to attack Tsingchau and the
kwantung Peninsula, Japan declared that
this territory, which had been appropriated
wrongfully by Germany, would be handed
back TO its rightful owner This promise
under preteXts scarcely yelled. has been dis
regarded, and the Japanese lines have been
extended far beyond the areas Germany
claimed.
What is proposed now is the practical ex-
tncuon OF the worlds most ancient nation
newly aroused from its long sleep The very
thought is abominable. and the United States
should do everything that can be done to pre-
vent its contamination.