New-York tribune., 1917-07-16

Nlscount kato, Foreign Minister IN
the Okuma Cabinet, is Jspan's fore
most dplomatist to-day. Even his
enemies, OF whom there are quite a
number, admit as much. In the June
issue OF the "Chu-o Koron," one Of the
leading reviews OF Japan, he tells the
story of how japan got into the world
war. II is quite different from the
usual version which passes as authentic
among many Of the European and
American people. II is diametrically
opposite, in fact. The Occident has
the idea that Japan rushed into the
fray for what she could get out OF it.
But this is what Viscount Kato says:
when the great war in Europe
broke out the imperial land entertained
the profound hope that it might not
spread to the Far East. | was in the
Foreign Office. | both thought and
planned TO keep the war out Of the
East. | also expressed our hope pub
licly. Soon, however, we received the
request from England. Her request
for our assistance and cooperation was
based on the principle and spirit OF
the Anglo-Japanese alliance and on its
stipulations. Under the circumstances
there was nothing whatever for Japan
TO do but 10 act in accordance with the
request Of the ally with whom she had
the defensive and offensive alliance
Not a Question of Advantage
Then he goes on to say that there
was no room for the discussion of
either advantages or disadvantages in
entering the war as far as Japan was
concerned. Even if it were disastrous
for her, she had but to answer the
ally's call. Many people criticised the
course of Japan for not waiting little
while and demanding of Great Britain
some advantageous concessions as the
price Of joining her in the war. Inc
viscount answers the critics. lie
spares them little in exposing the low
standard of their ethical conception OF
an international agreement.
"A nation which respects faith and
Justice cannot stoop TO such faith
less procedure" he says. Japan is
the nation which is foundationed upon
justice They who talk OF hguring
profit and loss at such a time do not
know Japan"
He reviews the history of Japanese
diplomacy from the time she joined the
community of nations down to the close
of the Russian war, which saw Japan
occupying a definite place among the
family of nations. Forty years before
that Occidentals had looked down upon
her as a petty Oriental state clever at
imitation and excelling in art. Now
she was counted among the hrst class
powers Of the world. And in 1911 she
attained the last goal in the revision OF
all her treaties. She gained the com
plete tariff autonomy.
Since Japan entered the world wal
at the bidding of Great Britain. she ha:
driven Germany from the Far East
ycot and branch; swept the Pacific
clean of hostile craft, and has succeed
ed in bringing the fruits Of peace &c
the entire Far East, even while Europe
is in the weller of carnage and devasta'
tion. Her achievement has brought
peace, prosperity and happiness to her
own people Not only that, it has been
gratefully acknowledged by all the
powers Of the Entente Allies.
Evens the Score with Germany
Incidentally, the viscount points out
what happy opportunity the pr 'r'
war has afforded Japan TO even ~ re'
score with Germany. Japan could
never forget the part Germany had
PLAYED at the close of the Chinese wal
her robbery Of the South Manchuria
in company with Russia and France
and so laying the foundation of the
Russo-Japanese war, ten years later
II was one of those national humilia-
tions which Japan had to avenge. More
over, German influences over China had
grown more and more imposing. II