The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-17

anese commentators belong to the sec ond.
 Japan's present unprecedented prosper ity which is chiefly due to the European war has swept through the empire wave of satisfaction that the nation should be attaining such great material progress and it has awakened all minds to the vast possibilities of continued and con- stantly augmenting advance in finance, industry and commerce. Developments are to be noted in all directions and if the war continues for long period Ja- pans position will be greatly enhanced. She will reduce her national debt, she will expand her already immense ship ping, she will. strengthen her industries and above all she will extend her com merce. It is the great nation of China to which Japan looks with eager eye for commercial growth and China Is the crux of the relations between Japan and the United States In the immediate fu- ture.
 WORKING FOR INFLUENCE
 At Tolsic the belief prevails that Ja- pan will continue her endeavor to in-
  But Japanese business men are con- stantly clamoring for a political ascend ancy that will not be so abrupt or so ipprudent az to endanger a peaceful eco- homie conquest of the neighboring re- public. Put differently, conservative Jap- auese want to break down the barrier of distrust existing in China against things Japanese and replace it with a feeling of confidence which will establish free A..,l ~IrN2r fA tors
 The readiness with which the Chinese recently granted American capitalists a concession to build a long railroad and their hesitation in making contracts with the Japanese has awakened Japanese to the fact that ascendancy in China to be successful must be accompanied by some measure of trust and confidence.
 At this particular moment the Japanese idea is the desirability of cooperation with the United States In the develop ment of China. The idea was suggested by Judge Ebert H. Gary, chairman of the board of directors of the United States Steel corporation during his re- cent visit ot Toldo. and 1t is under stood that some plan of cooperation along broad lines is now being tentatively elaborated by representative Japanese commercial leaders. Although the Russo- Japanese alliance which calls for mu- that cooperation in the defense of their special interests in China is actively in operation there is no present proof ot prevailing fears that Japan will permit the alliance seriously to prove inimicai to the economic interest of America.
 IDEA OF COOPERATION
 The idea of cooperation finds favor both in governmental and nonofficial cir oIn {u nioIl, rr>Lno nortua Tls. count Kentaro Kaneko, member of tho privy council in the October number of Chuo Koron or Central Review. Vis- count Kaneko, who knows the Unlued States very well. and knows a good deal about the temperament of the American people, comes out f1atly in favor of an economic alliance with the United States in respect to China. His reason is that a programme of harmony and under standing would avoid needless compe- tition and work to the best interests of Japan, the United States and China. He said: Japan might make temporary prof it's by dumping Her commodities in China and driving away American goods from that market. but such an act would div 4prove the relations between Ja- pan and America" As he saw the situa- .t naa much better define their respective spheres of economic activity. 3AS eli AiAStolSCy hO SuS5ColcQ tIldL Jdpdn might monopolize the small hardware trade in China and leave to Americans the market for nails, iron pipes, etc. In cotton spinning, the Japanese might sell coarse threads and the Americans might sell fine threads. It is by such means that a conflict of interests could be avoid e0 And ne added: 'If such an effective economic alliance be concluded, agitators may do what they like-there will be no f. of conflict between the two coun- tries"
 l 4rning to the question of immigra- ticn Viscount Kaneko expressed the opinion that if the Japanese ir,r,' 9~n~ in the United States are misunderstood there it is largely their own fault They are not inferior to European immigrants they are thrifty and humane-but they should adopt American customs and mar ners, and strive Ito harmonize with their white neighbors instead of living life apart. If their cost of living is inrrna sod they could overcome that by selling their products at the same prices as the Amer ican farmers and traders, instead of uu-