Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-11-02

fallen 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 sequestraton of the car and
the downfall of his vicious and reactionary grand
ducal circle. Where now was the plunderbund?
llberalized Russia, it was true, might make a
separate peace with Germany but it would never
lend itself to the aggressive schemes dear to the
hearts, and profitable to the pockets, of au-
tocracies.
Looking Toward Peace.
Second, the United States severed relations
with Germany, and then, in quick succession
declared war, passed a consumption law, made
huge appropriations and set seriously about the
business of building up army and navy
mensurate with its size and Importance. If any
hope of German victory, and of final rapproach
ment between Germany and Japan had been left
to the calculating statesmen of the mikado, it
went glimmerng when the United States ranged
itself on the side of Germanys enemies.
They looked forward to the day of peace but
now they know 1t could never be day of Teuton
triumph. They asked themselves what position
Japan would find at the council board of the
lions. She had proited 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. Where2
In China of course. Yet experience has shown
that the individual japanese laborer cannot COM
pete on equal terms with the Chinese. If the gov
eminent of Japan is allowed its way in China
this condition can be remedied-and it must be- say
the Japanese for the alternative is revolution at
home at some time in the future.
In this perplexty where was Japan to turn?
She has turned to the United States. Can her
mission persuade America that Japanese inten-
in cpltic or INN iaIf still
Can the Washington government be brought to
see the dire need for certain freedom of Japan
csc action in China? Finally, can Japan look for
ward on 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 comes in
quest of friendship. Japan needs the sympathy
and the support of the United States 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 imperalistic designs In
China, with deliberate and selfish aggressiveness
with the patent iliberality of her designs in the
far East In short, Japan must mend her ways
f she is to hope for American sympathy and sup
port.
Her Interest in China
There is no reason why the peculiar situation
# Japan in relation to China should not be ad-
nitted by Washington. There is no reason why
Japan should not find the outlet she sorely
leeds to effect her economic salvation, and at the
anne time bring immense benefit to China. All
his be done honestly frankly, In fair and
pen competition with the other nations of the
World. for Japan has tremendous advantages in
er geographical position, to say nothing of q COM
ION script and of hundred minor matters. But
he cannot expect the United States to help her if
he seeks salvation by means of aggression and in
and she cannot expect the United
tates to stand tamely by and see these methods
sed.
For sixteen years America has been the cham
ion of the policy of the open door, which seeks
secure equality of opportunity in China's
cts to all nations. Yet 1t is curious that, In what