The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-05
ny the Japanese Correspondent Of
1.-THE sum-

"The sun"
TOXIC. April s. According TO the an
nounceinent Of persons just come from
the United States American public seems
to somewhat conhde In the rumor Of
anti-British sentiment growing among
the Japanese people on account OF the
colliding commercial interests OF both
countries on the Chinese markets. Apart
from some momentary disturbance Of
Japanese friendly sentiment by British
actions. which was. however, soon pact
fed and Gained down. II Ia not 40 much
the growth Of anti-British sentiment ~
II 10 the absence OF hostile feeling against
the Germans. which two facts must not
be carelessly COMPOUNDED with each
other. Here In Japan. except occasional
outbursts Of humane Indignation over the
atrocities committed by German soldiers
on land and sea. there has been no such
war heat as existed ten years ago at tho
time Of the Russo-Japanese war. This
statement Is Endorsed by Baron Iehii,
who spoke on March 81 at the banquet
In Kojunsha club given In honor OF
Minister Adachi, who recently came back
from his Mexican post, to the following
effect:
II suspect the consciousness Of our
position as a ~belligerent has been lately
weakening among our countrymen. IL
| am unfortunately riSht we must en-
deavor to arouse II in view OF the num-
berless obligations we must constantly
observe as a participant In the war.
Such a condition might be due to the
fact that we are removed so far away
from the main theatre OF the war;" &C.
Instead of secretly inspiring anti
British sentiment as was suspected by
one of the leading papers OF New York.
the japanese Government makes enort
to prevail upon the people to feel anti
German. As Mr.. Scidmore tthe Toxic
correspondent OF tho Outlook cleverly
put 1t. the war has been literally
platonic. The much talked of grudge Of
the Japanese people against the Germans
for the reason OF her interference twenty
years ago is now be NM a matter of
historical memory. The recovery OF the
L,aotung Peninsula. which formed the
object Of the interference. has caused
the Japanese to forget the sentimental
part Of the affair. II Japanese resent
Germany on that score she might as
well resent Russia and France toward
Witt'is eb.h'
very friendly sentiment. II any such re-
sentiment ever existed It was directed not
10 the German people but to the German
I Kaiser, who Is credited with the renewal
Of the Yellow Peril doctrine. which had.
II Is true. no little effect in challengtii
the hostile feeling Of the race. Apar:
from this the Japanese people foster In
general no hostile sentiment toward the
Germans. az Is more than sufficiently
eyinced by the treatment Of the German
subjects staying here after the outbreak
Of the war.
Jams uesc View Of Germantsm.
Besides. Germanlsm is very popular
among the educated class Of the nation.
Military officers and college professors
look upon Germany rs an nexhaustible
source of the mysterious scientihc
knowledges. without the mastery OF the
German language. which Is stud
among a comparatively limited class OF
men. no scholar, however erudite in other
respects. can convey an impression OF
p~rofundity.
In spite Of such a popularity Of Ger
man Kultur among her people. japanese
peopls plunged into the war against the
Teutons or rather did not show them
selves opposed to their Government de-
claring against Germany. because. l am
sure. they believed such a step was neces-
sary in order to be true to the obliga-
tions imposed upon them by the pro-
visions OF the alliance treaty with Eng
land. Whatever nay have been other
motives. II any. that drove Count Okuma
to such a measure the nation at large
believed they must do so in behalf OF
England in return for her friendly ser
vice during the Russo-Japanese war
= 11Li-- nj tha prAyalant nrnanArtty IN
the United States. however. most Jap
anese privately remark:
"If we only had remained neutral the
situation would ave been far more
favorable for us and we might have Will
ingly done 80 had It not been for the
permanent credit Of the nation"
Most Japanese honestly think they die
an act Of chivalry for the benefit of he
ally, and although II may be wrong FOL
one who does kindness to others TO wan
to have his kindness appreciated this l.
one OF the human weaknesses from which
neither Japanese nor any other people
can be quite free. Japan expects Eng
land to be enough appreciative OF hel
service.
Japanese are also keenly conscious o
the various sacrifices they have a 4
offer by Joining the Allies In the conflict
The deep resentment of Germany for thu
loss of Tsing-tao In the first and thu
greatest sacrifice. The antipathy OF tn,
Hindus because OF our armed interfer
ence with their revolutionary movement
for the benefit Of the British Government
OF India, Is the second. The growing In
tensity of the an~ti-Japanese sentiment II
the United States brought about by tn
agitation OF the German Americans 1
the third. The loss of merchant steam
ers II their cargoes through the attacl
of the German submarines Is the fourth
, While the Japanese are thus keenl!
} conscious OF the sacrifices they are no
perfectly satisfied with the profit the,
, have derived from the situation. Thos
isles in the South Seas which they hav
scopic thai aged people cannot discerl
! them without the aid OF magnlfyinI
glasses. so hat In no sense any substan
tial addition to the Japanese territory
Moreover, the benefits obtained az the re
suit OF the Sino-Japanese negotiation
are in the main not the necessary con
: sequences OF Japan's participation In tn
war. To borrow the expression OF n
English paper. Japan could make ha
even II she had not gone to war wit
Germany.
!, Though such was the impression &
, the war on the Japanese people. the
= have never truly blamed the Govern
ment for pursuing the present polio!
, except by way of partisan warfare. &c
80 long as the treaty OF alliance exist
II was an acknowledged necessity fC
/, the honor OF the nation to live up to II
, full contents. In one word. Japan fee