The Hawaiian gazette., 1916-02-22
RODRICx Q. MATHESON, EDITOR
Courtinq Trouble

Uncle Sam counting trouble in the Pacific? TIL
= Is question which the thinking men of III
nation, from ocean to ocean, are asking themselve
and there is no attempt in many quarters to cor
ceal the apprehension being created over the extra
ordinary laundering of the administration in its dea
ings and diplomacy ON Pacific affairs. 1t seems I
be bad enough to have demagogues batting Japa
in congress and sislatures and publieists yowlin
over the yellow Peril" but it is worse in ever
way to have the administration actually doing thing
that are calculated to precipitate crisis. ILL.,.
The enactment of the Philippines Bill, with tn
Clarke amendment, which appears now to be
certainty, is at the present time the of blundeI
ing. That the United States might, with gracious
ness at some time in the not too distant futur,
cut the painter and allow the Philippines to drill
off at their own sweet WILL is within the realm o
common sense, but that the administration shout
carry through unnecessary "scute" policy at thi
time, when the heavens are lurid with the fires of
worlds war and the sparks are flying everywher,
would be uncomfortable were there anything Blu
Democrats running things. Every mention of FIRE
Philippines today brings up the question of the an
tag Jnsm existing between the United States an
Japan, and II night have occurred to the admins
tration that the present is not the time to stir u
sleeping dogs trail aggressive coat tails alon
the international highway ..t$#t#G
Outside of the Philippine question, in the opinio
of many, Unc.e Sam is going out of his way to az
gravate that nation which Governor Pinkham refer
to "Englands iitator," who is becoming irresst
IDLY dominant in the Orient The Boston Transcript
in a recent issue, reviews some of the Transparent
plumbers of the administration in its Pacific policies
That shrewd commentator on the trend of the devel
opnients says l.'&. .g2& Va e
Seward well called the Pacific the Ocean of tn
Future More and more its shores are becoming
great empires its waters are bearing the commerc
of the world and it is becoming the of nterna
tonal relationships of the highest importance. Thes
circumstances incidentally emphasize the utter foil
and treason to American interests involved in tn
crazy proposal to abandon proprietorship of tn
Philippines, But there is a still more immediat
menace being incurred by our obseSsed adminstra
ton. which provokes a fear that of our future o
the Pacific viii be marked with grave trouble if no
with actual war g.. '''
!, Here are the circumstances: Last year the Rus
Sian government earnestly and urgently sought
Hiendy approachment with the United States, in
Guiding the re-estabismnent of the treaty relation
which we're severed three years ago, and an under
standing as to mutual right and privileges in tn
Pacific Ocean and the Far East But the Wilson
administration was at that time curryitg favor will
Germany, in order to win German American sup
port at the polls last fall and the Russian overture
Esre coldly repulsed. Russia then turned to Japan
5E the very moment when Japan was turning tc
RnsSia. An agreement was quickly made between
the two powers by virtue of which Japan was t
have practically free hand in China. That explains
the strenuous course which Japan has since beer
pursuing in China at times in defiance of American
interests and American treaty rights.
That was bad, but worse soon came. Having
secured free hand in China, Japan sought thu
same at sea, the Pacific. Her plan was to es
tabliSh supremacy on that ocean, nomnally for thu
Allies, but actually for herself; even to the extern
OF overriding American interests. In fact, there was
no attempt to conceal the fact that she sought the
free hand largely in order that she might come to
reckoning with this country. Russia, approaching
perfectly the animus and purpose of Japan in the
matter, is about to acquesce in the request. Tapar
will be chartered to work her sweet will in the
Pacific, assured that she will have the backing OF
the Allies in whatever she does.
Sin this extraordinarily delicate and momentous
state of affairs, what does our inspired admnisra
ton do? 1t sends w. Morgan Shuster as special
envoy or agent to Japan Now Mr.. Shuster is a
most estimable man, and one of great ability But
the notorious fact is that he is strongly anti Russian
Yet we send him to negotiate with RuSsias ally A
piece OF more grotesque folly has seldom been re-
corded. 1t is though we were actually trying tc
intensity and confirm quasi arrangement from
Russia, and to provoke similar enlargement from
Japan, The appointment of Mr. Shuster, excellent
as It might have been in other circumstances, now
gives Russia grave umbrage and causes Japan to
look askant upon his mission, while it incneS Rus
sra unhesltatngly to acquesce in Japan's free hand
in the Ocean of the Future 1t is a sad muddle
threatening with troubles in the Pacific surprising
even those in the Atlantic. And to crown it all this
very time is chosen for proposing that Japan and
Russia shall be asked to guarantee the neutrality of
vast territories which arg now the ndisputabe prop
erty of the United Statesw
,f 1t will come like a CLEAN of sunshine on a
mtirkY daY to the Oahu Supervisors tn learn that