The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1915-02-12
LUR|NG Japan
INTO EUROPE

retary of foreign affairs, has been dis
cussing the cost of sending 25O,OOO
fully equipped and trained Japanese
soldiers to the aid of France; the
French press is specializing on the
possibility of receiving this aid. Eng
lish and Canadian papers are discuss
ing the best routes, the size of the
transport fleet needed to carry such
contingent to the battlefelds of west
ern Europe. And the influential Rus
rlan press is promising Japan undying
friendship, love and affection, plus
large share of the spoils, if Nippon
will consent to sent 100000 little
brown fighters over the Siberian road
into Poland.
Japan is receiving these pleas for
aid from white nations with smile
that hides a good many things. So
far only two Japanese dailies have
favored acceptance of the Russian ad-
vances and the dispatch of contin-
gent to the seat of war in Europe.
But the Japanese press is almost
unanimous in the declaration that ac-
tive aid must be rendered Great Brit
ain should an uprising occur in India.
OF course Japan is exceedingly
pleased with the recognition if it's
might and standing by the European
powers. Japan would not be human
would not be Japan, if these pleas for
aid were not as incense to it's nostrils.
But at present there seems to be as
good chance for Japan as for Am
erican participation in European bat
ties. The Japanese government is
not blinded by the clouds of incense;
it is not tempted by Russian promises
OF fat ribroast in the contemplated
division of China. Japan knows-anl
| England l1nows-that the end of the
war will find Europe, victor and van
quished alike, utterly prostrate utter
iy unable to oppose any plans which
Japan may have for the rearrange-
ment of the Far East. And Japan
knows that the dispatch of a sizable
japanese expedition to Europe might
be the signal for an immediate and
frantic increase in armament on the
part of the United States.
From whatever angle the situation
is viewed, it is useles to hide the fact
that within the last seven years the
relations between America anil japan
have become more or less strained.
There is absolutely no reason for war
between these two nations except the
one that kindled the European con-
flagration; mutual distrust and fear.
And it can be added without possibil-
ity of contradiction that the United
States will never, under any circum-
stances, be the aggressor in SUCH
conflict. But there is that popular
feeling that a Japanese attack is pos
sible, that preparations must be made
against such an attack If these pre-
parations are made, Japan is certain
to interpret them as possible aggres-
sive measures against itself, will in it's
turn make greater preparations,
which in turn may cause the Uniter
States to add more battleships, the
process continuing on the European
model until it ends as it ended in Eu-
rope. And the armament makers,
the battleship builders, the gun fac
tories, the submarine patent holders
rejoice in the growth Of misunder-
standing, mutual distrust and fear
that ends in universal catastrophe.
Indications are not lacking that even
now with the most fearful calamity in
history before their eyes, they are
using the same old methods to float
their output on potentiol seas of blood.
The vicious chain of circumstances
that bound Europe to the chariot of
was is being forged link by link
around the United States and Japan.
1t is important that the thinking peo-
pie of both nations should recognize
the fact clearly, should endeavor with
all their might to point out the an
alogy with the course of events in
Europe. Uuless the senseless stream
of distrust and fear can be checked,
it must inevitably sweep the two ships
of state over the brink.
In view of these conditions the AL
lies will do well to consider the in
1uence of their pleas for Japanese aid
upon the United States. 1t can be
asserted that, in western America at
least, these prayers for japanese as
sistance have greatly diminished the
vigor of popular sympathy for the