Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-08
over THE SLEEPING DRAGON

iV.-OvER THE SLEEPING DRAGON
Washington, d. c., July 3.-lt was
an American fleet that broke down
the barriers Of Japans isolation from
the modern world. OF late, occasional
Japanese have seen fit to reproach us
on this score. Having hauled them
into the world from which they held
themselves aloof, they say we are now
opposing the development that our
own course made necessary.
| However that may be, the first forty
years of intercourse between Japan
and America were characterized by a
friendship rare among nations. That
this friendship threatens of late to
cool is clearly not due to any Japanese
or American national characteristic
that makes for enmity The two
countries for decades were very
! friendly, not only officially but in the
public sentiment Of each of them. The
public sentiment of the nited States Is
still distinctly friendly toward Japan.
II the nations are drifting apart, 1T is
due to a conflict in principles and
policy The principles and policies
concerned relate to two great ques-
tions-the question of immigration,
and the question of China.
The Chinese question Is vital to
Japan. That most Americans do not
regard it as vital to the United states
is not the real measure OF its import
ance. The seriousness Of such sit
uation must be gagged by the import
ance Of the point at issue to the ma
| ton most concerned.
Last year the Japanese presented
Yuan Shih-Kai, the Chinese president,
with document setting forth twenty
one demands Months of negotiations
followed, the demands were modified,
but China refused to accede. Finally
the Japanese government delivered an
ultimatum. A few of the demands
were withdrawn, certain others were
set aside to be settled in the future,
and China was given her choice be-
tween agreeing to the rest or going to
war. Though the Chinese outnumber
the Japanese about six to one, China
would stand about as much chance
of defeating Japan at present as Haiti
would have Of defeating the United
States So China yielded.
This might be regarded as a matter
lying between China and Japan. But
on May 16, 1915. the American gov
eminent sent to the Chinese and the
Japanese governments an identical
note The note sets forth that in view
of the circumstances of the negotia-
lions which had taken place or were
pending at that time, the United
States cannot recognize any agree
ment or undertaking which has been
entered into, or which may be entered
into, between the governments OF
China and Japan impairing the treaty
rights of the United States and It's
citizens In China, the political or terri
torial integrity of the republic Of
China, or the international policy COM
monty known as the open door policy
| The American government has no
reputation for meddling in affairs that
do not concern 1t. Apparently Ameri-
can diplomats see in the demands Of
Japan a menace to the United States.
What is the American interest In
China that the government is writing
notes to safeguard? For one thing, it
is great deal bigger than most Amer
leans realize.
The nations of the world have al
ways hesitateda between two policies
in their treatment Of China. The old
policy was to create spheres of inf1u-
ence. Each nation fenced of section
OF the empire and proceeded to exploit
that section commercially without in
reference. The agreement between
Germany and China concerning the
rich province Of Shantung is a good
example. The agreement specifies
that any trade or Industrial project in
Shantung must be submitted to Ger
mans first. Only in case the Ger
mans do not want to handle the pro-
position is China In the exact words
of the agreement, "at liberty to act
as she pleases." Russia, Germany,
France and England each have
spheres of influence. Japan today
leans toward the same policy-except
that apparently she wants to run her
fence around the whole empire.
In 1898, the United States took a
hand in the game. Fencing off Sec
lions Of the territory of other nations
for the preferential treatment Of
American trade Is contrary to
American policy. The United States
put forward, and put through. the
open door policy. The gist of the
open UOOI 10 ludI SlllllC 10 W 10 1clJ
alone. She 1s to retain all her terri
tory and all her sovereignty. No ma
ton Is to get any special favors and
all nations are free to compete at will
for Chinese trade.
John Hay as secretary Of state Sc
cured the agreement of all the pow
ers to this plan. This is the principle
that America stands for in China.
This commercial arrangement is all
she has wanted in the past, and all she
wants today
Given an equal chance, the legiti-
mate business that we might do in
China is staggering in it's proportions.
There is enough of it to make all the
difference in crucial periods between
national hard times and national pros
perity.
China's chief need today is for rail-
roads. At conservative estimate
there Is room for the investment Of
Ave billion dollars in Chinese railways.
China can by no possibility supply the
l