Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-29
HOW ABOUT JAPAN?---IV.
BY FREDERIC j. IIAsKIN

WASHINGTON, d. c., June 2s.-The
news that Japan had declared war on
Germany in August. 1914. attracted
comparatively iittie attention when It
reached the United States. In the
shower Of ultimatums flying about,
Japans seemed far away and uni.n-
por'ant To-day it begins TO look as
though that ultimatum would be
irausht with more consequences for
ms country than any OF thos. cx-
changed between European CAPITALS
Japan's step in declaring war Ger
tainly did not arouse any apprecia bio
opposition in the United states. A,neri-
cans took IT for granted that she went
in under the Anglo-Japancsc alliance.
such americans as took an interest in
Far Eastern politics remembered that
the japanese alliance provided
only Tor defensive warfare when tho
Oriental territories OF interests of
either power should be threatened by a
third power. Germany was not threat
en!ng highlands Far Eastern interests
except III II very general and sacondary
way; but ;he terms Of alliances have
been stretched before. and JaDan's ac-
ton seemed 70 most neutral ot.ervcrs.
Unsuitable enough.
Germany held in kiauchau her
Chtaesc port "A POSSIBLE base for naval
pointed TO this fact as reason for
her own move. \ base for naval war
fare in the East might be regarded as
point hostile TO Eugland's Far East
"rn interests, and hence open 10
attack under the terms If tho Anglo
japanese alliance. At the time that
this point was raised. those who saw
the possible consequences of Japanese
action TO the United states and China.
suggested that Germany would be glad
20 refrain voluntarily, from using
kiauchau as a naval base. rather than
lose IL. as she certainly must before
Japau's attack. China actually brought
tho cXpedient formally to tho atteu-
tion OF tho United states and Japan.
as the two powers most interested. af
ter herself Tho choice was never
offered Germany, however. Janan sent
AN ultimatum instead,
Englaud's attitude toward .japan's
course IS particularly interesting. Of
ficialiv.. Japan was received into the
list OF hclligerents with open arms.
Popular sentiment in England took the
same stand y declaration Of war on
Germany was a sure bid for popularity
in the British Empire But there IL
little doubt that English statesmen
and diplomats would much prefer 10
SEQ Japan q neutral power rather than
a bclligerent. Her greatest help 20 tn"
allies has been her manufacture Of
that without declaring war. As y Is,
her course has upset that carefully
piled applicant officially known as
the Balance Of Power in the Far East.
.iointed Chinn's Neutrality.
AT any rate. Japan Went into the war.
she dispatched an expedition against
kiauchau. Kiauchau is a port on
the southern coast OF the ShantunS
Peninsula. which forms part OF one
OF the most thickly populated provinces
4
not land her troops on the southern
coast OF the peninsula. She adopted
the somewhat remarkable and mex
plicahlc procedure of landing on the
north coast. $50 miles from the port
she had set out to attack. China had
declared war zone, but She naturally
did not make ii large enough to in
clude the whole peninsula. AS Japan
marched overland. she seized whole
railways, running hundreds of miles out
of the war zone. she violated emma
neutrality on a large scale. England
went into the greatest war in history
over a violation of Belgiums neutral
ity Nobody went 10 war to defend
China's.
Japan worked southwark through
| Shantung and took kiauchau. as ii
was obvious from the first that she
would take it. The one feature Of the
campaign that came somewhat unex-
pcctcdly was Ensland's action in send
ing q ljrltlSn eSpcUltlpnHTy lpECf 10 CO.
operate with the Japanese The rea-
son for such n course is plain. Eng
land wants to have a voice In the ne
| sotiations that will ultimately deter
mine the disposition OF the spells OF
| the campaign, and her eXpedtionary
| force gives her the right to such a
| voice. Japan could not refuse the as
| sistance OF her ally. but Englands
| course was not popular in Japan. Japan
| did not need any help and did not want
| 1t.
| England's course holds out the best
! both tho United States and China in
| the matter lies along the same lines
wants the open door" policy, with it's
! guarantee of equal commercial rights to
| all nations and territorial spheres Of
influence to none. because it represents
| Chlna's best chance for continuing as
nation, instead OF being split up
| among the powers.
! This Country Wants Open Door.
The United States wants the open
| door perpetuated, because in case the
| sphere Of influence doctrine Is revived,
| we will be left out OF China absolutely.
| In one clause of the Shantung treaty
| between Japan and China lies n grave
! menace to American interests and
| Americas future. China agrees TO con-
sent to the transfer by Germany to
Japan OF all her rights In Shantung.
| Now Germany's agreement with China
| in this matter provides that German
merchants and German capital shall