Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-30

"ASH1NGTON, D. c.. June 2s.-It
was an American feet that broke down
the barriers OF Japan's isolation from
the modern world. OF late occasional
Japanese have seen fit to reproach us
on this score. Having hauled them
into the world from which they held
themselves aloof, they say we arc now
opposing the development that our
own course made necessary.
However that may be, the first forty
years OF intercourse between japan
and America were characterized BY a
friendship rare among nations That
this friendship threatens OF late to
cool is clearly not due to any Japanese
or American national characteristics
that makes for enmity. The two
countries for decades were very
friendly. not only officially. but in the
public sentiment OF each Of them. The
public sentiment of the United States
is still distinctly friendly toward ia
pan. If the nations are drifting apart.
II is due 10 conflict in principles and
policy. The principles and policies
concerned relate to two great cues
tions-the question OF Immigration and
the question OF China.
The Chinese question ia vital m
Japan. That most Americans do not
regard IL as vital To the United States
is not the real measure of its import
ance The seriousness OF such sir
uation must be gagged by the i'm.
po-tance of the point at issue TO the
nation most concerned
Last year the Japanese government
presented Yuan Shi kai. the Chinese
president. with document setting
forth twenty-one demands. Months OF
negotiations followed the demands
were modified but China refused TO
accede Finally the Japanese govern
ment delivered an ultimatum 4 few
or the demands were withdrawn, Ger
tain others We're set aside to be settled
In the future. and China was given her
choice between agreeing to the rest or
going to war. Though the Chinese
outnumber the Japanese about six To
one. China would stand about as much
chance OF defeating Japan at prasen,
as Haiti would have of defeating the
United States. SO China yielded
This might be regarded as matter
iSinS between China and JaDan Blu,
on May 10. 1915. the American govern
ment sent to the Chinese and the Jap
anese governments an identical note
Inc note sets forth that in view OF the
circumstances Of the negotiations
which had taken place or were pend
m. ..a Il. mat time the United States
cannot recognize any agreement OF
Undertaking which has been entered
into, or which may be entered into. he
tween the governments Of China and
Japan impairins the treaty rights of
the United States and its citizens in
tesrity OF the republic OF China, or the
international policy commonly known
as the open door policy"
Inc American government mas no
reputation for meddling in affairs that
40 not concern II. Apparently Ameri-
can diplomats see in the demands of
Japan menace to the United States
nat is the American interest I'm
CHINA that the government is writing
notes TO safeguard? For one tnirg IL
is great deal bigger than most
Americans realize.
The nations OF the world have al
ways hesitated between two policies
In their treatment OF China. The old
polcy was to create spheres of in
huence. Each nation fenced off a sec
ton OF the empire and proceeded to
exploit that section commercially with
OUT interference. The agreement be-
tween Germany and China concerning
the rich Province OF Shantung Is
good example. The agreement speci-
Nes that any trade or Industrial project
IN Shantung must be submitted to
Germans first. Only in case the Ger
mans 40 not want to handle the propo-
sltion Is China, In the exact words of
the agreement. 'at liberty to act as
she pleases." Russia, Germany, France
and England each have spheres Of in
fiuence Japan to-day leans toward tho
same policy-except that apparently
she wants to run her fence around the
whole empire.
In 1898 tho United States took n hand
In the game. Fencing off sections of
the territory of other nations for the
preferential treatment Of American
trade is contrary to American policy
The United States put forward, and
put through, the open door policy The
gist OF the open door Is that China is
to be left alone. She is to retain all
her territory and all her sovereignty.
No nation is to get any special favors.
and all nations are free to compete at
Will for Chinese trade. John Hay, us
Secretary OF State, secured the agree
ment of all the powers to this plan ,
This is the principle that America
stands for in China. This commercial
arrangeme is all she has wanted I'm
the past. and all she wants to-day
Given an equal chance, the legitimate
business that we might do In China is
staggering in it's proportions. There is
enough OF II to make all the difference
In crucial periods between national
hard times and national prosperity.
China's chief need to-day Is for rail-
roads. At conservative estimate
there is room for the investment OF
$5.000.oOo.O0o in Chinese railways.
China can by no possibility supply tho
CAPITAL tho materials or the technical
skill necessary to their construction.
Yet they are as badly needed for the
development OF the country as were
our transcontinental lines that opened
up the West, or as tho Canadian Pa
ciflc was needed by Canada. China
knows It, She Is anxious to have them