New-York tribune., 1916-07-19
See Japan a Serious Men
ace if Islands Become
Independent.
NIPPON ALREADY
ABSORBING TRADE
Japanese Pouring Into the Phil
ippines and Gaining Control
of Industries.
lrrom The Tribune Bureau

pect OF fhlnpplnc lnuepehuS"Se "
nearer BY the Democrats in Congress-
there has been a great reaction IN the
islands themselves against severing re-
lations with the United States.
Reports reaching the Administration
during the last few months testify 10
the remarkable change Of sentiment IN
the islands. Ii is not that the vision
of independence has lost any Of its at
,rsc.iveness or that the Filipinos have
suddenly discovered their love for the
United States. What has altered mat
ters is that, for the first time, Filipino
leaders have felt the growing menace
Of Japan.
Their vaunted independence, the
Filipinos now fear. may become a
Trojan horse, out Of which, once 1t Is
within the walls. may emerge Nippons
warriors. They feel that better thah
20 exchange one master for a worse
one is 10 leave we'll enough alone.
Many Japanese in Islands.
Ever since the question Of freeing
the Philippines took definite shape IN
the Jones bill in the House and the
Clarke amendment in the Senate there
has been a growing influx Of Japanese
into the islands. Whether it is merely
eoincident with the development OF
Japanese trade in the Pacific, in the
pursuit Of which japanese traders are
overrunning China. Manchuria, Siberia
and even Australia, or whether it has
any other significance only the gov
ernment knows. Every move is being
followed with the greatest attention.
The diplomacy which the United
States is now being called on to play,
officials here admit, is not only with
Germany or England, but also in the
Far East. 1t is game that is pro-
eeeding not with Hollweg methods OF
publicity, but with all the oldtime
subtleties Of statecraft. in which the
United States is using the best brains
Of its diplomatic corps.
So rapidly and so ruthlessly have the
Japanese been making their strides in
the Philippines that already Americans
and American shippers have begun TO
file complaints in Washington, and the
government has undertaken an investi-
cation.
Commerce in japanese Hands.
Owing to the war and the withdraw
al Of the Pacific Mail steamships prac-
ticslly the entire shipping of the Pa
cihc has been turned into Japanese
hands. Every pound imported from
and exported 10 the United States, ex
cept that borne in army transports,
must be carried in japanese vessels.
And the japanese have not been slow
to take advantage of that fact.
Following the plan they used on the
Manchurian railroads, and which they
borrowed from Germany, the Japanese
are employing discriminatory rates
and rebates TO foster their own trade.
American shippers are complaining OF
having their goods left on the docks al
San Francisco. Manila and Shanghai,
while japanese wares are shown
preference.
The Japanese government is also
understood TO be secretly rebating rates
equal 10 the tallU duties OF tne IN
vaded countries. Thus, though Ameri-
cans are protected by 25 per
cent duty in the Philippines, Japanese,
through the subsidy system, enter
them on practically equal terms.
How this situation works out in
practical terms may be seen from a
glance at the export figures from the
islands last year. While American
trade fell off per cent, Japanese
trade increased no less than 27
per cent. Japan's total commerce
with the islands is still small
compared with that of the United
States. but the figures are significant
of what is happening, and they are
causing no little concern TO officials in
Washington.
Seeking Raw Materials.
With a virtual monopoly on shipping
20 the Philippines, Japan is also seek
ing TO extend her markets, and, what
is more important, she is seeking 20
gain control of important sources of
raw materials.
Coal and iron, which some econo-
mistS have declared TO be the real
causes Of the present European war.
are no less important in the domina-
tion Of the Pacific. Japan, without
iron ore of her own, has to turn 10
China and the Philippines for her sup