New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-19
Japanese Mission May Ask
Financial Cooperation in China
Status of Megata Party Arouses Question in Washington
Hard to See Where Money for Development Is
Coming From in America

to approve such a plan would be i'm
mensely fattering to the japanese ma
tional consciousness and would be
most emphatic evidence OF new close
relations in the Orient.
Only Recognizes Fact
People who know the Orient have
been studying the Lansing-lshil agree
ment since its publication and find us
significance rather in the new relations
il suggests between Japan and the
limited States than in any change IL
makes in the situation with respect to
China. As they explain it, the greatest
importance of the agreement is sentl.
mental. It means the beginning OF
friendly relations and cooperation IN
the East So far as China is concerned
the agreement is said only to recognize
the existing facts.
The special interests of japan IN
China is a fact that could not ne
blinked at. She has the advantage OF
propinquity, of suggestions that the
Chinese themselves have granted. OF
racial similarity, of ability to commu-
nicate in what is virtually common
written language. Japan needed no
agreement to profit from assets sucn as
these. The agreement does not give
advantages to her. She had them. On
the other hand, both powers had re,
peatedly pledged themselves TO respect
China's territorial integrity, ana ,nat
nledpe is now set down in writing. ne
rote does not change the facts or the
intents with regard TO China. IL Is
mutual recognition of an existing sltua-
ton, disagreeable to China because IL
defeats her diplomacy and impairs ner
national dignity TO the extent OF max,
ing her the subject OF a treaty aoout
which she was not consulted. but not
IN any way altering her real future
The new relations between japan ana
this country spring from the war
Japan was left isolated by the collapse
of Russia and found that she had been
sedulously cultivating the Ill VIII oil
mower that had suddenly become q
great military and naval power-to wit:
The United States. The friendship OF
this country was necessary. The settle,
ment Of the Oriental issue was soiiclteo
by Japan. This country did not wish
TO discuss it with lshii.
Could Be Generous
On the other hand, our own con-
. U0ence III Jul HtiiAA"As
feel that we could be more generous
toward Japan than We had been IN the
past. We could afford to recognize IN
writing the doctrine of 'propinquity"
which we insisted upon for our beneht
in the Western Hemisphere. as apply
ing favorably 20 Japan in the Eastern
Hemisphere. Having a great navy, we
could assure ourselves just how the
vague words about Japan's special IN
terest in China would be Interpreted.
The growth of this new psychological
attitude toward Japan is interesting.
When Ishii came here Republican Sena-
tors who had been ardent followers OF
John Hay in the Orient went to Mr..
Lansing and urged him to give Japan
what she wanted in China in return for
aid in the war They argued that we
could take care of ourselves when the
war was over. Just what contribution
by Japan to the war lies behind the
Lansing-Ishii agreement is not known,
but it is expected to be considerable.
The next step in the new relations
of cooperation in the Orient will come
when the Megata missions purposes
and results are disclosed. 1t will be in
teresting.