The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-08-22

has never wished US well and would
like to see US in difficulties with the
! United States, but the United States
and Japan are Too far away from
each other to have the same jeal-
ousies that exist among the nations
OF Europe, with neighboring 'front.'
iers
"On the other hand, there has
sprung up a large commerce between
the United States and Japan, and 1t
has steadily grown since the present
war since we have been unable to
ibuy in European markets many sup
plies formerly obtained there. With
both countries prosperous, our buy
Ing has led to return buying in silks
and many other articles on the part
OF the United States. Our own for
eign commerce, export and import,
reached an average of seeyn hundred
million dollars yearly before the war
and expect it is better now.
1T has been stated we want the
Philippine islands 1t is far better
for Japan to have the United States
develop those islands 1t is able to
spend the money needed to do 1t and
we are not, and it is a fine thing Tor
us and for our trade to have peaceful
and prosperous neighbOrs, no matter
who they are. 1t is one OF the eco
nOmic errOCs OF the present, for in
stance, to suppose that the losses OF
Europe are the gains OF the United
states and Japan because they hap
pen to be selling supplies We are
sure to feel those losses in Europe In
the end.
Now for the Russian treaty and
Jappn's attitude towards China 1t
has been freely stated that the Jap
ancSe are unfair and dishonest in
business. will admit that there is
good deal of truth in this, so far
as concerns us in the past. 1t must
be remembered that when the United
States and European merchants be-
gan to trade with us. silver was
worth about one-hlteenth as much as
gold among them whereas, with us,
it was worth one-iOurth as much, by
our coinage act. These merchants
took advantage Of this situation and
exchanged their silver for gold. Our
people here got the idea that foreign
ers were tricky and it may be said
they retaliated in kind, as matter
Of protection, Latterly, howev-
er, we have started our young men to
commercial school and they have
learned international ways of doing
business, and feel sure in the fU-
turc we will no longer suffer for
condition which grew out Of mis-
conception as to what business meant
THE Russians and the Japanese
have learned and well understood
since the unfortunate war Of 19Oi-O5
the national characteristics OF each
other, and gradually &c have become
quite friendly The new treaty mere
ly puts this spirit on paper, and is
not inimical either to English or
American interests in China.
Let me right here explode the
old alarmist report that the Japan
csc want a yellow-race domination OF
the East. I'm sorry to do it, but the
facts are that the Chinese are too
proud to ally themselves to little
people like ours, alG we have too
much sense to seek to ally that
could not help us. An alliance be-
tween the United States and Mexico
would profit the latter, but not the
former.
All the japanese want, or ever
have wanted, ista fair chance to do
business in China, on an equal foot
ing with ENGLAND, Russia, France,
the United States, or any other coun-
try. Economically, we couldn't han
die the job ourselves. Japan insists
that there shall be no outside. armed
intcventions, like that OF the Ger
mans who fortified themselves at the
port of Kiao-Chow, port OF which
we have taken from them. Such fort
flied positions contribute menace to
China and to the interests Of every
nation wishing to do business there,
and eventually brings about the trou-
blcd situation, on a smaller scale,
that has SO long existed in the Balk-
ans of Europe.
We cannot read the future, but
for the present these are the facts
regarding Japan's attitude and am
glad to state that The Associated
Press has in the past permitted ia
pan to place the truth before the peo-
pie of the United States. In so do
Ing, it renders a service to the mu-
tuol interests of these two peoples"