The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-11-03

1aIlen deep into the bad graces of England and
France Remained only the possibility of that al
lance with Germany and Russia which splen-
didly to rehabilitate their international position.
And then two events of extraordinary import
played havoc with their plans, knocked out the
supports of the structure they had been building.
First Russia famed up into revolution, and the
world heard of the SequeStratiOn of the car and
the downfall of his vicious and reactionary grand
ducal circle Where now the plunderbund?
a IiberaIized Russia, it was true might make
separate peace with Germany, but 1T would never
lend itself to the aggressive schemes dear to
hearts. and profitable to the pockets, of
tocraces
Looking Toward Peace.
Second, the United States severed relations
with Germany, and then, in quick succession,
declared war, passed CONSUMPTION law, made
huge appropriations and set seriously about the
business of building up an army and navy COM
mensurate with its size and Importance. If any
hope of German victory, and of u final rapproach-
ment between Germany and Japan had been left
to the calculating statesmen of the mikado, it
went glimmering when the United States ranged
itself on the side of Germanys enemies.
They looked forward to the day of peace but
now they know it could never be a day of Teuton
triumph. They asked themselves what position
Japan would find at the council board of the
lions. She had profted from the war; she is not
poor she has been, and yet she is still poor
nation. The swift growth of her teeming pOpula
ton means cry for room, more room. Where?
In China, of course. Yet experience has shown
that the individual Japanese labOrer cannot COM
pete equal terms with the Chinese If the gov
eminent of Japan is allowed its way in China
this condition can be remedied- it must be- say
the japanese for the alternative is revolution at
home at some time in the future.
In this perplexity, where Japan to turn?
She has turned to the United States. Can her
mission persuade America that Japanese inten-
tionS in China are not selfish or imperialisticf
Can the Washington government be brought to
the dire need for certain freedom of Japan
csc action in China? Finally, can Japan look for
ward, that day of the great peace conference
to finding at least one powerful and sympathetic
friend? If not, the outlook is dark indeed
First and foremost, then, above and beyond all,
the mission from Japan TO America in
quest of friendship. Japan needs the sympathy
and the support of the United States more today
than she needs anything in the world.
And she should have friendship-if she shows
by acts which support her words that she realizes
and will live up to the obligations of that friend
ship These obligations are Incompatible with the
carrying out of purely imperialistic designs in
China with deliberate and selfish aggressiveness,
with the patent illiberaliy of her designs in the
far East. In short, Japan must mend her ways
if she is to hope for American sympathy and sup
port.
Her Interest in China.
There is reason why the peculiar situation
OF Japan in relation to China should not be adj
mitted by Washington. There is reason why
Japan should not find the outlet she so sorely
needs to effect her economic salvation, and at the
same time bring immense benefit to China. All
THIS can De done honestly, frankly, IN 1a1r ana
open competition with the other nations of the
world, for Japan has tremendous advantages in
her geographical position, to say nothing OF a
script and of hundred minor matters. But
she cannot expect the United States help her If
she seeks salvation by of aggression and in
tlmidation, and she cannot expect the United
States TO stand tamely by and these methods
used
For sixteen years America has been the cham
pion of the policy Of the open door, which seeks
10 secure equality of opportunity in China's mar
kets all nations. Yet 1t is curious that what