New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-28
Our Japanese Visitors

This city's welcome yesterday to the
Japanese mission was, as 1t should nave
been. sincere and cordial. 1t could not
have been expected to equal in eferves-
cence and enthusiasm the welcomes given
to earlier missions from France, Great
Britain. Italy and Russia. The countries
which these earlier visitors represented
fave borne the terrible burden of the war
Our sympathy has gone out to them IN
the fullest measure on that account. In
cur mixed community. too, there are tens
Of thousands of citizens and residents of
French. British, Italian and Russian BIRTH
There are few japanese here, and they oc-
cupy a peculiar position as regards asslm-
ilation into our national life. Our points
Of contact with Japan have therefore been
fewer and less intimate than our points
OF contact with any other of the great
rowers with whom we are making war TO
restore civilization and the old fabric of
international right.
Japan has borne hardly greater part
in the war so far than we have. But she
is our ally and enjoys our full friendship
end respect. We do not belong to the old
European Concert Neither does she. And
cur aims in entering the war against Ger
man aggression and barbarism have been
dictated by much the same national policy
The war will probably draw us nearer
together. As allies we may reach clearer
understanding than we have been able to
reach in the recent past, when occasions OF
friction between us have thrust themselves
20 much into the foreground. The war, if
il lasts couple of years longer, may find
japan and the United States, as COM
panions in arms. in a much more favor
able position than ever before to eliminate
old causes Of difference. E.
Japan has fairly won place among the
great powers of the world In military
rtrength. in industry, lin commerce, she
has shown the qualities which make a
great nation We have dimly realized all
this. But we have not been able to cast
aside as fully as we ought to have cast 1t
aside the old conception which ranked
japan with China and included both
among the nations which were still strug-
Cling along toward modern civilization.
So far as Japan is concerned that con-
ception is mschevous and out OF date.
Nippon has arrived. Her right to com
mand equality in the circle of the great
rowers can be no longer questioned. AS
her ally we may begin to see this more
clearly and to act upon it in clearing up
MISUNDERSTANDING due TO our failure to
admit the completeness and dignity of
japanese sovereignty.
The issue which has made most trouble
/ for us in our relations with Japan has
| been our refusal to admit japanese TO nat
Iuralizaton. while admitting many other
aliens inferior in status and qualifications
| to Japan's nationals. If we repair that
/ flunder, other causes of friction which we
have had with Toxic will disappear, or at
! least become far less threatening.
The war will serve us well if it brings
the United States to closer friendship
with Japan and to a franker recognition
Of Japan's attainments and place in the
world The two nations must live together
I for wears to come with the Pacific as their
Joint sphere. Anything that helps to
make that association more reasonable and
rore amicable will help to smooth the fut-
ure of both and TO make peace in the Pa
Cifc more certain.