The Washington herald., 1915-02-22

TO that ehect given to the imperial gov
eminent by our State Department.
THE fact is. that just hfty-n Ger
man merchant vessels-thirty-ei eight Of
which, valued at more than 500 100. 900
belong to the Hamburg-American Line
alone. are now enjoying the hospitality
or American ports: not literally In
termed because they can depart II they
dare to risk 1t at any time, but because
| OF a natural disinclination to be COB
bled up by Che British navy. which still
rules the waves, they have remained
discreetly in our ports. These valuable
vessels. including such well-known liners
as the new 'vaterland' (the finest ship
afoap. the George Washington the
Kaiser Wilhelm H. 'Amerika.' and
'kronprinzessin Cecilie.' have been given
sanctuary at American docks since the
beginning Of the European war.
Might Gust Their ships.
"1n view Of the vast value Of this idle
German fleet. and the great influence
welded by the Hamburg-American Line
at Berlin. the query naturally suggests
ITSELF What would be the effect II
hint were given Berlin that. In the event
or casualty to American shipping in
the new war zone In British waters, il
would no longer be convenient to ex-
tend American hospitality to these Ger
man merchantmen-that our government
would be constrained to invite them to
resume their vocation as ships of COM
merce on the high seas?
Does II not seem a safe guess" adder
the speaker, that over the imperial gov
eminent would find a way to protect
American shipping, and this without the
hrlng or single gun, or the disturbance
of friendly relations on either side?''
This suggestion was so well received
that a well-known Washington woman
quickly arose and somewhat surprised
the large audience by saying:
Il move that Miss Richards send this
suggestion to the State Department"
To which Miss Richards promptly re-
piled amid much merriment that .'she
did not pose as first aid to the State
Department, nor did she hatter herself
that her assistance was needed in tine
present crisis"
Japs Would Control China.
After the intermission, during which the
speaker announced that in response 10
many requests an extra Lenten course
or five talks would be given, the principal
public question considered was the list
OF extraordinary demands recently filed |
by the Japanese government after an |
official conference with Chinese officials. |
which. IL granted" said Miss Richards, |
ture control over China"
"A careful perusal OF Japans twenty ]
Or more demands would make 1t appear |
that the Japanese government is prepar-
ing for the extension of what has been /
called a Japanese Monroe doctrine for |
the Orient
This being primarily a doctrine of ex-
clusion, it would mean that in future |
Japan would claim the right to dictate
terms. not only concerning the Shan
Tung concession recently wrested from
Germany. but also concerning all leases
or territorial concessions which China |
might contemplate granting another
power, and also that China could call
upon Japan alone for the preservation
Of her territorial integrity.
May Violate Treaty.
spirit of the John Hay policy of 1900
with regard to China. afterwards dis
tinctly embodied in the Root-Takahira
treaty, remains to be seen. Also if the
present diplomatic powers that be- in
will take official cognizance
of it.
Certain II is that in making these de-
mands at this time-several OF which
cannot be acceptable to her ally. Great
lays herself open to the
very strong suspicion of having awaited
herself of a situation. resulting from the II
European war. which has tied the hands
II such nations as might otherwise unite II
n a protest against this evident move Of II
Nippon for the mastery OF the Orient.
That China, sngle-handed and alone can
resist these demands is