New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-10

mnnnrcr of the Yokohama Specie
Bank. and Or. T. Iyenaga. of the East
and West News Bureau. have In turn
essayed to reply TO the statements
continued In the series Of articles on
"Japan's Place in the SUM-" which ap-
pcared recently in the columns OF Inc
Tribune.
Mr.. Clarke replies by INDUCING In
personalities, innuendoes and imputa-
tons on ny integrity and Intelligence
NY polite rejoinder TO Mr.. Clarke Is
that grave issues menacing the peace
and happiness Of this country exist IN
the Pacific and are steadily drawing
nearer. They must be squarely faced.
We cannot escape them By playing the
ostrich. It is the patriotic duty OF
every American journalist who has an
intelligent understanding OF these vital
questions. which affect the very lie
Of the nation, TO contribute to the
creation Of an enlightened public opin-
ion.
T. F. Willard. o. K Davis, Samuel
Blythe. J. K. Oil and other journalists
Of reputation and standing In this
country, who have studied conditions
on the ground, have seen their duty
and lived up to II. J. |. c. Clarke, also
one Of our oldest and most respected
journalists. made an extended tour OF
the Orient, but his writings have been
confined TO the usual insipid five
o'clock-tea gossip about beautiful Nip
pom, her geishss, her temples. pagodas
and tinkling bells, the singing heas,
Yamato Damashii, Banzsi Dai Nippon
and tho outward signs of her material
development.
But on the great, all-ebsorbing ques-
tons which are infaminS the hearts
of the japanese against America. and
which they frankly tell US may lead
to war unless their viewpoint Is ac-
cepted. Mr.. Clarke has remained mute.
The inference Is that either he is not
sufficiently informed to discuss them
intelligently. or he is deliberately sup
pressing his knowledge, and proving
false to the ethics of his profession
and disloyal TO those higher interests
Of his own country he Is in honor
obligated 70 defend.
Calls Attack Unmanly and Unjust.
would remind Mr.. Clarke there are
always two sides 70 every question. II
he in his credulity prefers TO swallow
the japanese viewpoint lock, stock and
barrel he may do so. We know then
exactly where he stands. II |, with my
more intimate knowledge OF the facts
cleaned from years of experience IN
the East, incline TO adhere 10 what /
deem the best interests OF my own
country, and endeavo- m my small way
70 arouse the people OF America to a
grave menace, that Mr.. Clarke would
hide from them, it Is unmanly and un-
Just to ascribe base motives 70 my
work.
To Mr.. Ichinomiya, the genial and
popular manager Of the Yokohama Spe-
Gle Bank, who rightfully resents those
articles which reflect on Japan's imam
cial position, can only respond that
every statement made. almost the exact
words which he objects TO. were ex-
tracted bodily from articles written by
Japanese scholars and economists. ]
do not wish 20 pose as deliberately at
lacking the credit of Japan, but | can
not be censured If, in trying to en-
tighten the people Of America, repro
duce statements and figures advanced
by the japanese themselves. There ap-
pear 70 be two sides also 10 Japan's
finances. The official statements are
one thing and the criticisms OF her
publicists and economists OF these fig
ures are another. Which is correct
May be permitted TO quote the words
OF NJ. Joseph Dautremer in his recent
book. "The japanese Empire?
Japan Poor. but Patriotic.
In discussing the finances Of the
country, he SAYS:
Here all indeed Is very vague. for
the Japanese, who conceal whatever
they can from Europe, conceal their
financial affairs more than their mill
tary secrets. Japan is poor. extremely
poor. The neces sites of life are lack
ing throughout the country, and money
which may be found there is used 10
nav for the coupons Of the national
debt and the purchases from foreigners.
Yet. according 70 tie japanese publica-
tons, the financial situation is very
satisfactory.
"Now we must take into considera-
ton a popularity unsuspected by those
who do not know Japan-the inhabi-
tants of the islands Of the Rising Sun
will deprive themselves Of everything
and will submit TO the payment of the
heaviest taxes in order to help the gov
eminent show Europe that Japan is in
a prosperous condition. How is
a new loan TO be obtained? What guar
antee would the japanese give if
obliged to have recourse 10 the for
eigner for money"
Perhaps this French scholar and
economist is also wrong, and have no
right 10 quote his opinion as against
the official statements OF the Bank Of
Japan. | will say in all fairness that
the articles dealing with Japan's
finances were written last July. Since
then, owing to the American loan to
the Allies, which permitted Britain and
France TO finance Russia to purchase
her munitions in Japan, there has been
a large influx Of gold into the country,
and, owing 70 the governments monop-
oily of manufacturing munitions, the
major part of the profits have helped
TO swell the imperial treasury.
Japan is undoubtedly in a more
favorable fnancs! position than she
was last July, but while this fact may
detract from the statement that Japan
is nearing bankruptcy. it does not alter
the basic conditions or refute the fact
that SO per cent Of the industries OF
the country are controlled by the gov
eminent; nor does 1t in any way indi-
20 Tho, Tho noSft, af arm