Arizona republican., 1917-03-02
The Pronosed aTrinls Alliance.

AT present the disclosure of an attempt by Ger
many to construct alliance of itself Japan and
ezco against the United States is interesting rather
than 1t is the first heard of it though
p h4s been discussed in circles in this country
s-1 some writer's have viewed such alliance
u-r for contemplation rather than for acute con-
ration as something likely to be attempted. 1t
ot supposed though thar negotiations that had
eeu begun The subject was considered rather from
view point of the heplessness of the United States
-d got With esard any common interest of the
-elosea allies
Il was. however. known that Mexico is friend
10 u.s. The friendliness Of Japan has been under
.spi-ou for many years and military experts ana
me statesmen have fer more than ten years looked
with that country as something more than
possible That whatever bond of friendship there was
tween the United states and Germany was broken
lie exchange of notes on submarine warfare was
generally accepted Here then was motive for such
alaqce-the absence Of good feeling. Bat nations in
these days do not go to war merely because they do
rot like a. otaer. but for gain
Japan would engage is war if at all in order that
She might obtain foothod in the new world in
1le1ico, Central OF South America Germany would
TO war for similar reason, for the destruction of
Monroe doctrine which began chatting her as soon
she entered upon her comparatively recent period
of expansion. Mexico would hope for the return Of
her lost provinces
II either Japan or Germany were going to war
with the United States Mexico would be sought as
natural ally not so much because of her military
strength her traditional attitude toward the United
States as for her proximity this country country
in which landings Of troops could be easily effected
ana from which invasious could be launched from
many points long frontier. All these things doubt
less provoked the discussion. 70 which have
ferred. % q Japanese German Mexican alliance.
Bat Germany and Japan are rot natural allies
They were enemies long before the European war
broke out Their interests had clashed in the far
east and during the Rqsso-Japanese war it was not
certain that Germany would enter She would
probably haYe done but for Great Britain Germa-
uien ready for war
Taere is stin another angle and rather myster-
ious one Soon after the fail Of Kiao Chow there was
tsiE u all parts world Of German ia panese
alliance for what purpose we believe was never ex-
planned. At that time there was no enmity between
Germany and the United States. The Lusitania had
rot yet teea sunk. Later the talk OF the alliance in
GUIDED Russia witt which japan had entered into a
new treaty affecting their Chinese loot II Great
Britain nad ever entirely trusted Japan about that
tine there were manifestations Of British distrist in
Japan rs "a ally
Tine hidden thing in this whole business is the
common interest Of japan and Germany if there is
such interest. Common interests are stronger than
national hatreas as we know from the frequent sud
sen 'eaignments Of nations always effected because
Of some new community of interest Old national
friendships disappear
Nations are immoral They moved by none
Of those better emotions which stir individuals. we
"oud be foolish therefore, before satisfying ourselves
that there is no community Of Japanese German in
terz to assume that alliance between them is i'm
possible OF unlikely because they are have recently
been. enemies
The one thing plain is, though that we have moth
ing Immediately 70 fear from such alliance not be-
e"pe the slpposed parties would in any circuJn-
stances enter IT, but because in present circun-
stances they cannot These circumstances may not
surround She situation year year thereafter
ana taea 'Ve would have to depend upon ourselves
poa our OWN preparedness.