New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-25

10 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: ITO know ones enemy and to kno"
ones self is strategieal maxim that should
always be acted upon" is a warning given
to the japanese public by Count Okuma when
The National Defence Board Of Japan was
organized in 1914. in which he pointed out
the Asiatic weakness as well as Western
aggression as a possible enemy. The maxim
should not only be applied to the japanese
theory Of preparedness, but in the present
state Of human progress 10 should be acted
upon in any country in the world From this
point Of view it is a patriotic duty for Ameri-
cans to discuss the necessity OF American
preparedness from every angle. Ignorance
is bliss-that bliss which always terminates
in woe as has been said by your contributor,
Philip Foresight.
Nh. Foresight may be- as he claims, fore
sighted; but he is surely shortsighted IN
overlooking the facts, and consequently mis-
leading in certain respects. 1t may be that
Japan is the Asiatic prototype OF Germany.
As far as mental and material civilization Is
concerned. the japanese seem much like Ger
mans But q spiritual civilization they are.
it would seem to me. very different from
Germans. The japanese do not claim SUI
periority over the rest of the world as DO
German scholars. as well as clergymen-
though they are not entirely lacking m fan
tastic illusion. Ultra-nationalism is NOT AS
prevalent a. in Germany.
According TO the German law which went
into effect in January, 1914, the German gov
eminent gives dual nationality to naturalized
Germans abroad by regulating that German
descendants. as well as foster children. are
entitled TO German citizenship whenever they
desire It while living out Of Germany; that
any German naturalized in a foreign country
IS not to be deprived Of German citizenship
If ne petitions to preserve the German ma
tionalitv after naturalization. This may work
an right i'm time of peace but IN emergencies,
if they are true 10 their home country they
will betray the land TO which they have sworn
allegiance or vice versa. in consideration OF
this immoral bin passed by the German
Rcichstag and the fact that scholars as well
as the intelligent public have not offered any
protest. it is rot altogether unreasonable 10
conclude that while at war Germany has no
regard for international Law OF humanity due
not only to necessity. but also 70 the great
lack Of national conscience. country boast
ing a civilization superior 20 the rest OF tho
world and having immigrants Of more tina
ten millions openly passed dual nationality
law enabling them to do military service IN
thcir native country.
Has Japan ever proposed or passed such
law On the contrary. recent dispatch from
Toxic reads: "The government has intro
duced in the Diet am amendment to the ma
tionalitv law. permitting the eXpatratlon o.
japanese born IN foreign countries and stipu-
lating that such eXpatrlati0n involves the
loss of japanese natiohality." Two other in-
stances. which can be taken Ass expressing
japanese national thought. were recently re-
ported in the press, one from liza All and the
other from Canada as follows. ION Dcccm-
Der %. 1918. Canadian japanese held "a mass
meeting and made "a proposal 20 the Canadian
Minister of Militia 20 organize "a regiment for
service in Europe" From Honolulu came a
report of the work of thc Amc-icau-Janancso
Citizens Association there. containing this
advice you who are born IN Hawaii are not
the sons Of the Emperor. If trouble should
come with Japan you must remember that
you are the sons Of the President. not of the
Emperor. Aim 20 work for thc best examples
OF citizenship. and then aim 90 work for
peace"
Furthermore. Japan, Tar from pcluE every
thing German. Is everything American except
ODD her army system. In the secondary schools
in Japan alone there arc upward of 100000
boys and girls studying English a part Of
the course. There are at present studying
English IN Japan proper, I'm schools OF all
grades up to the university, nearly 100000
boys and girls 4 traveller would not fail
TO sec that while India Is everything English
Japan is everything American I'm '.act. the
present tendency IN japan is nothing more