New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-29

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: | have read with keen interest the
editorial correspondence on the Chino
japanese complication by Mr.. H. X. Tong.
editor of Tho Picking Daily News" which is
understood 20 be the organ Of British in
terests in China. in which ne challenges DR..
Iyenagas statements that "the policy or
Japan toward China is no other than TO
cement the bond Of amity and friendship be-
tween the two Countries; that "Japan's policy
does not in the least run counter to that Of
America"
Mr. Tong's contentious seem to me to be
misleading in some respects. With your per
mission, may present the japanese side?
At the outset let me say that. in view Of the
European attitude toward Asiatic peoples,
there is dire need Of their unity and coopera-
ton in order to maintain their territorial and
rolitical integrity; therefore, disputes be
tween them are most Improbable. Won Bern
hardi in his Germany and the Next War is
frank enough to declare that 1.-THE political
rivalry between the two nations OF the yellow
race must be kept alive for the benefit OF
the white race While the stronger nations Of
the West are strengthening their respective
positions by the bond Of increased friendship
and cooperation witness the English soil
darity and the Pan-American Union the
weaker nations of the Far East are not fully
awakened to the needs % the hour, and they
are. | am inclined TO believe. playing some
body sse's game.
As a Japanese | exceedingly regret the lack
of wisdom and farsig htedness on the part OF
japanese statesmen which has animated the
Chinese with a sentiment of dislike and dis
trust And this sentiment is not entertained
by Mr. Tong alone it is shared by an increas-
ing number Of Japanese and of late indca-
tons have not been lacking that various ways
and means by which the Chno-Japanese rela-
lions will be put on an amcabe footing are
under serious consideration among Chinese
as well Japanese.
While concurring with him in this regard, |
must strongly refute his contention that
Japan defes the "open door" policy. for which
the United States stands sponsor. To go right
to the point. the vested rights and privileges
Of Europeans are already so deeply rooted
that it is practically impossible for Japan to
shut the door. Besides some ten thousand
miles OF railways under other foreign con-
troll there are numberless factories in inn
portant cities and towns all over China. For
instance. among the forty-siX foreign cotton
r1ils in the Yangtse Valley Japan controls
only SIX, in spite of the fact that cotton
spinning constitutes the premier industry of
Japan. There are also ten mining conces-
sions and ten foreign banks operating in
China. How could Japan exclude these?
Not only is it impracticable for Japan 10
close Chinas open DOOR but there is every
reason for wishing that Il, be kept wide open
Suppose Japan closed the door to all nations
in Shantung. Fuken and Manchuria. the
provinces all along the YAngtse Valley -
Yunnan. KuantUng and kuangs. the most
prosperous and fertile portion Of China as
we'll as Tibet and Outer Mongolia. would i'm
all probability he closed by England, France
and Russia, 10 say nothing of great portion
Of the area along the railways covering more
than ten thousand miles; and China would be
helpless. and the United States, though
anxious. would probably remain an onlooker
No fairminded critic, believe. can fail to
see that this would be inevitable.
II is true that Japan increased the conf
mercial and industrial opportunities in Shan
tung Province. South Manchuria and Eastern
inner Mongolia. But il must be borne in mind
that most of these opportunities are not only
Nr Japan. but for all nations whose treaties
with China contain a most favored nation"
clause II was Japan who first secured the
right from China to operate factories IN
China. but who is deriving the most benefit
from II?
BY what logic does the critic arrive at the
conclusion that Japan is seeking to close the