Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-08-06
America md Japan In This Var

Tho o. OlPTS no ecu IH"IC dPP'"
prii.r liza, Via al for ~ 1re1 Si""'Ih l,Iae am
porl Of Wplr, n the ,''la a,'dhe"f 'ohnis
sion Of which v.~rount .ehI Is The distinguished
head.
Here AZ in no g.. . ar; Of h" world have TIT
An or can &c h'AS ~ anu u''e'
one ,.iaII orrIa, Iere has oeel
,es,n @ che. the Orient ant
the @, - natural, .s the people from
the ELrolc,:. ,..nters have donr
The an>v,~ laA ,,een strong affirmative. Thu
DOES not : ~. hat the pecuIiarties of race ant
tradition have neen 50 completely wiped out tina
they offer no difficulties and call for no turthe
study. What we do know is that the test has gone
far enough to prove altogether practical the un1ol
of the American and japanese pc"re on the basl
Of mutual underst anding and goodwill.
Therefore the people of Hawaii are in position
to understand the aims of japan aud extend to TIT
guests of today sincere and cordial greeting al
the representatives of our ally in the cause of I
world democracy.
For statement of the democratic ideals o
japan the country is indebted to DR.. Toyokch
Iyenega the official press agent of the commission
to the United States. Our nations enemies have
at times pointed to the monarcha character OF TIT
japanese government and questioned the sincerit!
OF American motives in being party to such an ALI
ance.
DR.. Iyenega answers this thrust with his defln1
ton of democracy as interpreted by Japan. Though
some of our fellow citizens might bubble over thu
synonymous relation of democracy and republic, il
is principle rather than form that is sought DR.
Iyenega says:
1--WE are fighting to make the reign OF democracy
safe in the world, and save it from becoming the
slave of autocracy. Here must be permitted t.
7 ~ ha oax
is no synonym for republic. Whether the govern
ment be a republic or a constitutional monarchy
democracy is enthroned in the country where socia
equality instead of feudal aristocracy prevails
where ones real merits count more than rank OF
family pedigree; where every individual has the
right to the full enjoyment of life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness and is no slave of dominant
caste; where right rules over might and militar
ism is not the controlling force in short where jus
tice, liberty, equality and humanity are made the
basic principles of the state.
"In this sense, the present day Japan is as much
democracy as the United States England, France
Italy and the newly born democracy of Russia
Japan reyeres her sovereign, the mikado for he per
sonifes the sanctity Of law, order and discipline
Japan has strong centralized government and an
efficient army and navy. Do these elements, how
ever, constitute an autocracy? Thousand times
no. Are they not the essentials of success, es
pecially in time of war in every democracy have
made this DEPRESSION for much ink has been spilled
to put Japan in the rank of autocracy and thus
isolate her from her allies or cool their ardor to-
ward her.
9America and Japan cherish the same ideals and
it is only betting for them to join hands and work
with all the energy and resources they have at com
mand for the successful conclusion of the tremen
dous issue they are now facing"
In the same statement, DR.. Iyenega deals with
what we might term the selfish interest of the Japa
nese nation and Of its attitude especially toward
the United States
.Quite contrary to Germany's expectations
Japan halls with joy the entrance of the United
States into the world struggle, and fairly grasps
Uncle Sans strong hands ais brothers in arms "
says DR. Iyenega. "For in addition to the fact that
the tremendous resources of the United States are
bound to turn the scale of war the side Of the
entente powers, there are special reasons for Japan
in welcoming America Both nations are similarly
situated with regard to the geographical position
they occupy. the duties and functions they should
discharge toward the allies, and the interest and
aims they want to safeguard and realize These con-
siderations naturally would make America and
Japan the closest of allies both in war and at the
peace conference of the future Both are separated
from Europe by wide expanse of waters.
sNeither America nor Japan should therefore be
interested in the remaking of the map of Europe.
They are fighting to crush German militarism, for
it constitutes constant menace to their welfare.
Perchanee the allied nations in Europe brought
to their knees by Prussianism America and Japan
woud have ultimately to face it on their side of the
waters
nd 70 rom.
clusion of peace at the present moment, for such
e. 4huot hofEs Ehnp