New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-25
What Shall We Say to JAPAN
Blu Henry 4. Wise Wood

Great Britain, perhaps Holland and Fra.
and the United States, while Japan -,
think It extremely profitable in SIN ~
respects to ally herself with the mos, cow.
full anti-Anglo Saxon nation.
This suspicion could hardly surviv. a,
armed blow against Germany delivered =
Japan at a vital point. Were such a, =.
dence given of Japan's willingness, "a -.
port the Allies there would be little lss, !,
the suggestions, now frequently heard a..
democracy's every threat to destroy ar,..
racy falls as unpleasantly upon roh0 :.
upon Berlin, and that the military M. :,
Japan, having been based upon Germa, -.
dition and theory and organized BY C.--'-
military instructors, makes for bo,J -
sympathy between the two empires. Ma
the fact that both are virle autoeraeles a..
growing in world bent upon breaking -.
monarchic forms, erects into a menace =.
the Anglo-Saxon people Of the Pacific b.,i,
The future of Japan has thus been a.,
with, not so much because Of It's b.,rr,.'
upon abstract questions Of goyerrn.,'',
form, as because of its relation 10 our ON,
security in the Pacific basin and tina, ., a,
other Anglo-Saxon peoples This mak,, !,
il practical politics, and brings to our ma,
ent dealings with Japan the need for y,,,,
caution, keen provision and frmness.
II will be recalled that early in the "a,
japan took from Germany the Marshall 4,
Mariana and the Caroline islands, all in 4,
Pacific Ocean. These shortly there,A.,
japan offered to turn over TO the Austr,t,,
forces; and there the matter still rests n,
compensation, if any, then demanded !,
Japan was not made public, but it is fair a
assume that it was unsatisfactory to An.
tralia or to Great Britain. There is at sr,.
ent in Japan great opposition to its sum.
der of any Of the islands ii has taken.
Now, it should be pointed out tina, h ear.
not possibly be a matter OF indferene. I,
the United States who among the nations e..
cupies these islands, since their harbo,
dominate all Of our transportation rou,,,
across the Pacific. Having possessions "A
protect and responsibilities to fulfil At d,
! far side of that ocean, We cannot lock viii
unconcern upon the setting up Of new narl
| bases directly astride our lines OF eonns.
nication from the canal and San Fnn,xs
to the Philippines.
For an Anglo-Saxon Group
II such bases are to exist, it is Of the q.
most Importance TO US that they be no, .
| the hands of a member Of an anti.Ants
/ Saxon group of nations, or, II they are, tat
we make it a condition that they be no, 4.
veloped and fortified. II is this question, ~
we'll as the need 10 preserve our trading Il!
other interests in China, that makes Of i.
future alignment Of Japan a matter Of mn
| IL - Is,ss u
! the Anglo-Saxon communities Of the Pssit
| The interests of British Columbia, Assn.
| liza and New Zealand are included and halt
with herein as if they were our own, betlsR
| it is apparent that the time has now coz,
| for all Anglo-Saxon peoples residing there.
| on to act in concert to make Of the basin q
/ the Pacific a safe and salubrious nursery .oi
| the peaceful development Of our race. As
| the United States is the most powerful Pa.
/ ciic nation, and the three great British Pa.
/ cific commonwealth share with US a con-
mon stock, a common Language, a COMMON
! form of government, common literature ard
/ traditions. we are bound in duty as well a.
in interest to assure the safety and enhane,
! the wellbeing of all alike. No one OF US
| longer can afford to stand alone.
That such a policing coalition, bent upon
/ keeping the peace of the seas which unls
its members, might be helpful to US in tins
| Of need the redoubtable performance carr
/ in the war of the young Australian ran
! suggests. Nearer to the Philippines tr
ourselves and fanking our lines Of COMET
/ nication the Australians ever will be 10 p
stion to render US great service; Wills 3
the protection of Alaska British Cog1'i
might we'll be able to furnish US inyalIia
! service in the hour Of need.