Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-06-06
HOW TO treat
GERMANS IS A
JAP. PROBLEM

Toxic, May 12.-The problem of
how to treat the civilian Germans
resident in Japan has been revived by
a series of articles published by the
Japan Times, q japanese organ print
ed in the English language and sup
posed to have semiofficial tone This
| newspaper contends that the activity
of the Germans has caused much feel
ing in business circles, and that the
opinion is growing that enemy sub
Jects here are causing permanent and
serious harm to Japan,S standing as
an ally.
The Times does not wish to cast a
slur on the authorities, but claims that
the enemy residents are taking adj
vantage Of the chivalrous treatment
now accorded them, and that this has
resulted in severe criticism from Brit
ish, French and Russian residents and
traders. 1t concludes that whatever
trade the Germans and Austrians are
carrying on in Japan is in competition
with, and to the disadvantage of,
Japan and her allies, and expresses
the conviction that more strict con-
struction should be placed on the priv
ilege of peaceful trade and residence,
if, indeed, it be not withdrawn alto
gether.
Chief Causes of Complaint.
The chief causes of complaint
raised by the residents of countries
in alliance with Japan in the present
war are cited to be the following:
First, that many Germans and Aus
TRANS in Japan are allowed as much
freedom in their daily round of life as
the other foreign residents. This is
not the case in any other allied
country.
Second, that, enjoying such free
dom, enemy firms continue to engage
In trade in competition with allied
merchants.
Third, that in an attempt to cover
up their enemy characteristics the
German firms in number of in
stances have adopted names of Jap
anese employees, thus to outsiders be-
coming to all intents and purposes
Japanese firms.
Fourth, that the German bank,
known as the Deutsche- Asiatic bank,
is allowed to remain open at Yoke
hama, and continues to do financial
business with an apparently unlimited
supply of ready money.
Fifth, that the German club, sit
uated opposite the Yokohama foreign
postoffice, openly keeps up it's social
activities, and that sounds of revelry
and rejoicing over allied reverses are
openly allowed within the hearing of
passersby.
Sixth, that German firms are al
lowed all the, privileges Of the post
office, the telegraph, patent laws and
other business facilities I'm open
competition with allied interests.
Seventh, that there are clear signs
OF German intrigue in Japan, espe-
clally in commerce, and indications
that the Germans in this country are
eager, despite what has happened in
Europe, to infuse themselves as much
as possible into every branch of ma
tional life in Japan.
After pointing out that japan has
not forbidden her subjects to trade
with the enemy countries, the Times
declares that the majority of Japanese
business men, whose experience has
taught them to look broadly into the
future, believe that Japan could, with
profit to herself, enact legislation
making it illegal to trade with the
enemy.
Failure to join the allies in the trad
ing prohibition will, it is alleged,
cause the Japanese to lose much trade,
not to mention that Japan lays her
self open to the suggestion that her
business men could, if they desired
actually help Germany to win the war
by acting as an intermediary for GER
tain materials of which the Germans
are in crying need.
"The audacity of the Germans in
some of their actions" contends the
newspaper, "has been positively
startling, and it is in the hope that
the imperial authorities will realize
the necessity of taking some measures
that the matter is being given pub
licity."
The articles of which the above is
a resume are causing something of q
sensation throughout Japan on ac-
count of the reputation of the news
paper, and there is considerable specu-
lation as to whether they Indicate a
determination by the government to
adopt more stringent regulations
against residents of the enemy coun-
tries.