New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-15
JAPAN'S GOOD FAITH
A Toxic Editor Upholds Pacific Import OF
the New Treaty with Russia.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. When American minds and thoughts
arc 80 much occupied with the titanic huro
pcan struggle. IA we'll as the chaotic McN'eah
situation, it is refreshing to note that
groet deal of attention has been paid to inc
questions touching upon Far Eastern aiialrs'
Generally speaking, the tone of American
comments on the newly concluded Russo
.Iapancsc concordat is one Of suspicion IN
cidcntally revealing disposition to be more
iealously watchfu of Americas future IN
:erosts in the Pacific.
DESPITE the announcements made by Eng
land, Russia and Japan that the new aillahoe
is but an extension of the old hnglo-Japah-
csc alliance, certain writer's arc stu peht 10
hold il rs a substitute for and not com
plcmcnt TO the Anglo-Japancsc alliance. They
seem TO fear that Japan, with the cordial
support Of Russia, may adopt an exclusive
Motley injurious TO American commerce ana
interests in China and the Pacific; some oil
them 90 so far as to intimate that more
dangers than a possible impairment OF
American rights and commerce are TO De
feared. But when one makes fuller study
Of the circumstances IN which the new con-
cordat has been negotiated, the fear seems
20 bc disposed OF.
II will be remembered by students IN world
politics that many weeks before the conclu-
sion of the new alliance the Anglo-Russian
understanding about their respective inter
csts IN ;he East was announced by Mr..
Asquth. Making every allowance for inter
nretinc the understanding, ono can hardly
imagine that Engand's vast interests in the
Pacific and China were not taken care OF.
This fact alone would seem enough TO dispei
the fear that the new alliance is a substitute
for the Anglo-Japanesc alliance.
When one becomes fully aware Of another
the actual position of Japan in the Far
East at this time the fear that the new
concordat might have been inspired by a
bellicosc purpose on the part of Japan seems
to be unfounded.
Largely due to her favorable geographical
position and facilities for reinforcement
Japans military strength, though only 6OoO0o
tons in navy and 100000 men in army, IS
unique in that far corner of the world Hav-
ing DESTROYED Kiao-chau as a German naval
base. Japan controls absolutely the Sea OF
Nippon and the Yellow Sea as well She IS
unchalcnged and at present interchangeable
because Of tho carnage still going on IN
Europe Owing to China's internal disturb
ances there is little lack Of excuse for inter
vention should Japan have fancy for ag-
erosion. and this with every chance of what
she accompishes being acquiesced in b. four
CT tho greatest European powers when the
war is over, since it will be highly impossible /
in the future to reprobate her political action
when her allies in the West will be doing
much the same thing in the regions which |
fall under their particular infuence for
Japan, by placing under obligation to her
England, France, Russia and Italy through |
her priceless help to their cause, has to-day
four unanswerabe reasons why she is TO
be given free hand to seek her own COM
pensations in the Far East In word, Japan
is in a position to play her game alone, with
little fear OF outside interference at present
as we'll as in the future.
Though not unmindful of this Opportunity
of a thousand years. Japan by entering into
\ new agreement with Russia has voluntarily
tied herself to her allies in the West. sub
ordinatirg her own, if any, to joint policy.
When this fact is fully weighed, the new
agreement seems to be based on a pacific
purport.
With these basic facts before us. it would
seem to US that the new alliance does stand
for what it claims the maintenance Of the
territorial integrity of and the open door" for
commerce in China. policy in which Amer
lea. England, France, Russia and Japan are
interested. KIHEI 0ZAKI
Editor. The Chugai Shogyo of Toxic.
Richmond Hill, n. Y, Aug. II, 1916.