Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-27
Special Correspondence of The Star.

LONDON, February II, 1916.
SNoR a good many years now the
IA Japanese menace to the peace of
the United States has with great
q frequency been trotted forth.
usually by patriots who have produced
the alleged DOGGY to stimulate con-
gressional appropriations for greater
army and navy. So often has the
thing been done. and nearly always so
patiently for domestic political pur-
poses that there are doubtless millions
In America who believe that 1t is only
q bugaboo after all. and that actual
war between America and Japan is
impossible.
Not so in the opinion Of European
statesmen. They take American-Japa-
nese relations quite seriously. In the
midst of this great world war, with all
its qualifications leading to America.
the possibility of Japan pitting her
self against the United States is al
ways considered. And there is grow
ing evidence that japanese ideas OF
imperial expansion are being devel-
oped along lines which do not run
parallel to the lines of American pol
icy. but they cross and recross. ana
serious conflict of self-interest is bound
to occur. This conflict may easily lead
to actual war.
Those who scor at the Japanese
menace. who are doubtless fewer in
number because Of the preposterous
upset of civilization in August, 1914,
usually declare that Japan is TOO poor
TO hght.. that her finances would never
stand the strain. Il. +. Putnam-Weale.
one OF the greatest OF far eastern ex
peIts. reported in London newspaper
the other day, ielegraphing from Pc
hing. that since the beginning of the
war the japanese had laid away $780,
G9e. 900.
japan has been making money in
much the same way as America. Her
expenditures for her minor participa-
ton in the actual war have not been
great. while her income from the man
ufacture of munitions has been enor-
nous She has been selling large guam
titles of'war supplies to all OF the
allies. while industries of other sorts
have profted by the disappea rance of
German trade. Her exports have be
come far greater than her imports; all
records have been broken 1t even
suggested some time ago that a French
loan would be made in Japan. II was
no. wholly true, but the mere sugges-
ton, seriously made in the press here,
that Japan should lend money to
France. that paragon Of thrift. shows
that Japans financial condition is no
longer what il was.
II has always been held. too. that
England would not permit Japan. her
ally, TO attack America. and that Japan
would be obliged to follow England 8
Instructions. II is still true that IL
England can stand between the two
and prevent hostilities there will never
be between Japan and the
United States. But England may not
/. xh ln IN hn 10 be
Very much engaged otherwise. and
from the commencement of the presept
great war Japan has shown con sist-
ent disregard for the desires of the
British government. There is evidence
that England was not really KEN to
have Japan In the war at all.
Japans famous demands on China of
. year ago were distasteful 10 the
British government, for not only did
they directly and adversely affect
British interests in China. but they
were made In such a manner as to
place Engiand's ally in the position of
yakiHg dominant position in China