Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-05

the last two years, largely by the of American
steel plates. When the export of steel plates was
stopped by the export board, japanese shipbuiding
was hard hit. Recently a working arrangement
has been reported, but it is also noteworthy that
Japan has contracted to build numerous addltiona!
ships for Britain, which, far the waging OK
this war is concerned, is much the same build
ing ships for the United States.
The whole international situation has swung
on its axis in the last few months that the Unit
ed States finds herself in strong position as re-
CARDS Japan, and the friendly understanding which
has always been desired by this country has De-
come something to be more than desired by
both parties from a purely selfish standpoint Two
events have gone far toward changing the race
of the whole far eastern situation, the declaration
of war by the United States and the declaration
of war by China
japan has always needed the friendship Of the
United States in an economic way, but she haa
been able to get along without it, so long as she
could count enjoying the economic friendship
of the great European nations. So long as Japan
was a belligerent and the United States neutral,
even though Japans part in the great war was no
very active one, she remained closer to England,
France and Russia than did the United states.
Today the United States is the great power to
which England, France and Russia look Tor money,
ships food and In six months or war we
have done ten times much for the allied cause
as Japan has done in three and a half years. and
we are only beginning Hence, in case OF any DIP
lomatic or economic dispute between Japan and the
United States, there is little doubt where England
France and Russia would stand. The weight or
our word in world councils has increased enor-
mously since we declared And hence, 1t Is
strongly to Japan's advantage to remain on the
best of terms with the United States
The Chinese situation has also changed since
China declared war Japan's most vital interests
lie in China; it is almost diplomatic axiom that
the key to Japans diplomacy is always to be found
on Chinese soil. While China was neutral
toward her big neighbor. She was encroaching on
China politically, economically and sometimes even
with the threat of military force This program
did not make for good relations with the united
States; the Chinese question was really the only
point of friction between the two countries
When China declared war, she thereby became
an ally of Japan. She also became an ally OF
England, France, Russia, Italy and the United
States-of the circle of powers which viii de-
termine the fate of the nations at the peace-ta-
BILE japan has apparently made up her mind
that the allied powers will win decisive victory.
China now has a strong claim on the CONSIDER"
alton of the allies-of whom, in fact, japan her
self is one. Hence the future program of Japan
in China may we'll have been remodeled by jap
anese statesmen, and in such way that full CO.
operation between japan and the United States Is
an integral part of it.
For in the largest view, this war has already
gone far enough to decide once and for all that
the domination Of weak powers by strong powers
is a doomed policy. Japan has leaned at times in
the past, toward such a domination OF China; but
there is hardly nation in the world that mas not
acted on the same policy at some time, somewhere.
japan came late into the arena of municipalities.
and she played the game largely according to the
rules she found already in force Today those
rules being changed, ana Japan is noCninB IL
not far-sighted.
1t may be that she has decided to play the
game according to the new rules-the rules that
are being hammered out by the cannon in Elan
ders and France, that say that weak nation
shall be dominated against It's WILL politically or
economically, by stronger nation. The new rules
mean that the open door will come back to China.
And IL Japan's friendly mission to the United
States means that she is willing to meet America
half way In establishing the new order OF things
in the Pacific then the enthusiastic welcome ten
dered to Viscount Ishii was none too warm.