New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-27

It is not too much TO say that with the
opening of the British Imperial Conference
in London on the Goth of this month new
chapter of world history was begun. Before
their testing in the fiery cruciole OF war
Britains great overseas dominions were
merely populations: now they are peoples.
1t has been my privilege to see the awaken
ing thrill of sentient nationhood pass through
Australia, Canada and New Zealand. They
laid as cornerstones Of their new national
structures sacrifice and suffering; the build
ngs they have been erecting thereon the last
two years and more are cemented with the
blood of their finest sons. Out of their com
mon trial crystalized the realization-long
dreamed of by those who had learned to
"think imperially"-tha a common, coordi-
mated general policy, in the determination OF
which all its component parts should have
shares, must direct the loosely knit fabric
that was the British Empire.
Sectionalized public opinion in the United
States affords a good example Of the empire
before the war. Thus the East misunderstood
and failed 10 sympathize with California
over the japanese question:; the Middle west
has not always seen as clearly as the East
Americas vital interest in this war; the
North has had no clear grasp Of the South
trial comes-as it may any moment now
there will be no East, no West, no North,
no South: there will be-Americs. SO the
three greatest white democracies of the Brit
sh Empire, Canada, Australia and New Zea-
land. each had local problems, some of which
were not always settled to the benefit of the
imperial family at large. Against the lurid
background of the world conaagraton those
local problems became merely provincial
parochial even.
The United States Concerned
Decisions will be made at the Imperial
Conference, or at others arising out of 1t,
that will affect profoundly the interests OF
the United States, for the three democracies
named have started their careers as PACING
Ocean powers. Greatest of all these, per-
haps, is the matter of Japanese immigra-
ton, matter precipitated by Australians
unequivocal stand.
By the immigration act Of 1901 Australia
removed from her national door, as far as
Asiatics were concerned, the mat that bore
the legend "Welcome." The act managed
things very neatly: there was nothing 70
which Toxic could take exception, even
though henceforth Japanese, to say nothing
of Chinese and East Indians, were inexora-
bly, barred out. hostess drawing her pencil
through the name OF an unueSlIdDle OH Het
visiting list could not have managed more
tactfuly. The test was made one of lit
eracy-not race. Immigrants were required
to pass dictaton of fifty words in a Euro
pean language Suppose an educated Jap
anese, speaking English, French and German,
sought admission bland immigration Off
Gals tried him out in Norwegian, in Rus
sian, in Czech Exit Japanese.
change came when Japan joined the En-
tente and did so much to "close OUT the
Germans in the Far East and the Pacific.
Japan took Tsing-tau and the Marshall ISL
ands. Japanese feets-the British Navy had
been very much engaged elsewhere-pa-
trolled the Pacific and Indian oceans. Japan
conveyed Australasan food ships and troop
ships. And Japan grew FESTIVE under the
immigration restriction. Tersely put, her
case, as presented in London, is something
like this: 1--WE are good enough, it seems.
70 support you with military expeditions,
with our fleets, with our munitions, but we
are not good enough to associate with your
citizens in Australia. That will have to be
altered"
London has been more worried over this
than Washington was over California some
years ago. The Australians are adamant.
They will not bulge from the position
summed up in their greatest national slo-
gan-"White Australia" II England tries
to bulge them, she will have trouble-frcm
Australia. II England does not try to bulge
them she will have trouble-from Japan.