New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-09
The Japanese Agreement
A Criticism Of 1t From the Chinese
Point of View
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Will you be good enough to publish
in your valuable paper this letter, the pur-
pose of which is to point out the significance
of the recent agreement between the United
States and Japan, signed by Secretary Lam
sing and Viscount Ishii of the Japanese spe-
cal mission?
The agreement is one which vitality con-
Germs the political as we'll as the commercial
and industrial future OF China. Justice
therefore demanded that China should have
had voice in the negotiations. As mat
ter Of fact neither our government nor our
Minister at Washington was advised of the
agreement until several days after it had
already been concluded and signed, although
conversations" began some two months ago.
Il is said in the agreement that terri
torial propinquity creates special relations
between countries" and hence "the United
St,.es recognizes that Japan has special in
terests in China" We cannot deny the fact
that territorial propinquity creates, under
normal conditions, more relations between
two neighboring countries But we are at
loss 10 know why territorial propnquity
could create special interests. II territorial
propinquity creates special rights for Japan
in China, why does it not also create special
rights for China in Japan?
The next question is whether this agree
ment can be made effective and binding Let
us consider its two essential provisions,
namely, that the United States recognizes
Japan's special interests in China, and that
Japan reaffirms the open door" Now, the
principle of the "open door" or equal OPP
portunity" and the principle of special in
terests" arc self-conficting and mutually
exclusive. The successful execution of the
one naturally implies the annulment of the
other. If these two principles should be car
ried out simultaneously it would approach
situation like "est the pie and have it,"
To speak plainly, if the special interests
Of Japan in Fukien are recognized, will the
United States be permitted TO build naval
docks in that province? If the special rights
OF Japan in Manchura are recognized, will
the United States be permitted TO operate
mines and construct railways in that region
feel loath TO question the honesty of the
Japanese government in keeping promises
and pledges As we all remember, since
Japan voluntarily agreed to the "open door"
policy enunciated by John Hay. Japan has
practically closed the doors in Eastern Inner
Mongolia, South Manchuria, Fukien and
Shantung, not to mention smaller places
Then, In January, 1915, she told the whole
world that she had presented to China only
eleven demands or requests" and cabed
reassuring messages to the American gov
eminent. In the following May her own
ultimatum to China revealed the existence
of twenty-one, not eleven, demands In the
present case, while her special commission
ers in the United States were affirming and
reaffrmng the principles of the "open
door" and equal opportunity" the Japanese
diplomatic representatives in China were
"eXerting every effort officially and unoffi-
eially, TO close the Chinese arms monopoly
contract, carrying control Of the Marking
iron deposits and the employment Of Japa-
nese military advisers and a director OF the
new arsenal at Marking" Do we have to
look far into the future, then, in order to
find out whether the door in China is still
open?
II this agreement is not made with ample
justice to all concerned; if its chief provi-
sions are conflicting and contradictory; if
Japan is to have Special interests" in China;
if the United States and all other countries
are to nave an equal opportunity" with
japan in China only in theory. it is highly
questionable whether it will enable the
American and Japanese governments to
maintain perfectly appreciatye attitude
toward each other" and whether il will re-
suit in perpetual international peace"
STEWART +. s. YUI
New York, Nov. 7, 1917.