New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-17
Considers Empires Pres
tige Damaged by Prefer
ence for Our Example
Britain Swayed
BY Japan's Stand
England Won't Meet Amer
lean Suggestions Without
Consulting Ally

inces by the Chinese government u
inc that China follow the United STATES
and declare war on Germany IS sad 70
explain the sensitiveness manifested oy
Japan in connection with the relatlons
between the United States and China
The txet Of this message, which WIS
made public here to-day, reads;
81. By the declaration OF our rupture
with the German government, all Tor
MGR friendly relations have ceased and
We can gain nothing By inactivity
Moreover. if we should take no further
stem. we shall incur the displehsure OF
thu Allies. II is feared that at the
neace conference China viii have no
friend because sLs did not JOIN either
party.
40 II must DO pointed out that, ow-
inr TO the distance. we shall have TO
need to take actual part in the wA'
although we will have to join the Al
lies in name. As to the supply OF 1000
sturs and war materials, the govern
men. viii certainly exercise rest-1c-
tions and viii not allow the people on
the country TO suffer any incouveni snre-
.NIust Follow United states
Formerly We declared that with
respect 20 the Chinese policy toward
Germany we should adopt an attitude
similar TO that Of the United States OF
America. and as the latter power has
now declared war upon Germany we
cannot remain inactive, otherwise We
.wi9lose our national credit
.eban has resented the preference,
hrChinese government has eAhlo4'eC
Tor the advice and example Of the
United States, claiming for Japan
paramount interest in China with the
night to take priority in advising China
in regard to the latter's foreign poll
cjes as well as her domestic concerns.
japan has felt that the prominence
given by the Chinese government to us
emulation Of the United States has
damaged japanese prestige.
Il is felt here that the new order in
China, under the dominance Of General
Chang Hsun, who has entered Picking
in the role Of dictator, will be infu-
enced more by Japan than by the United
States. II is not yet known what the
immediate issue in China will be, al
though rebellion is incipient, especially
in the South. The military party, now
armed
forces. but is weaker numerically than
the Liberal Republicans. The party IN
power. having rid itself Of parliament
and thoroughly subdued President Ii
Yuan-Hurg. has within its discretion
the establishment Of the monarchy,
or the restoration of republican gov
eminent under a strongly centralized
administration.
Question of Prestige
Il is not doubted that, If the new
regime is assured of permanency,
China will enter the war, but whether
II will be as a follower Of America
example or as the protege Of japan rs
matter for speculation only at the
moment. II is not doubted that Japan
desires China 20 enter az a member or
the alliance, and Great Britain Is
thought also TO be lending TO Japan
its diplomatic support in Peking TO
effect this contamination. After Chinas
official declaration relating TO America
il Is considered here that for her to
turn aside now 20 Japan would be a
blow TO the prestige of the united
States in China.
State Department officials sought TO-
Gay 70 minimize the importance oil
Great Britain's dcclination either % as
sociatc itself with the United States in
advising China % compose her internal
discord or 10 take action similar .
Americas in separately counSellirg the
Peking authorities that the restoration
Of tranquility in the republic soon VAS
20 be hoped.
Ii was learned that Japan also de-
clincd 20 respond favorably 20 the State
Departments suggestion that 10 might
be timely for her 70 give such advice %
China as had already been given by the
United States. IL was established to-
CAV that the complaint in japanese Off
Cial circles concerning the action taken
By this country was not caused en-
tirely as had been supposed by author
tiles here, by the publication Of bogus
note alleged By the japanese newspaper
"Asahl' 20 have been sent 10 China by
tire United States
Japan Not Consulted
Japan's criticism Of and objection 70
American activity relating to China
were based upon the fact that Japan
wss rot consulted before action was
taken by this country. II is thought
here that Japan has seized upon the in
cident 20 insist upon recognition By the
United States OF Japan's special and
paramount interest in China, which is
asserted By the japanese government.
The American government does not adj
NIT that Japan rghtfully can claim
such an interest IN China, but officials
are said 20 be Of the opinion that IL
Japan actually possessed a paramount
interest the advice given 20 the United
States, contained IN "A note without
teeth" az contrs-distinguished from
President Wilson's notes 70 Mexico,
did not create an incident iustifying
the suspicion and criticism aroused
By a.
Japan, in her reply n the state De
rartmcnt's suggestion, did not urge her
claim Of a paramount and special in
terest in China. IL Was said a. the de-
partment The Toxic Foreign Office
merely indicated It's indsposition 20
take similar action.
The refusal Of Great Britain 20 in
dorse The United States's diplomatic
effort 10 be % service 20 China was
thought here 20 be due 20 reluctance
20 act differently from Japan. although
officials declined 20 comment upon
highlands reported decision IN view Of
ftc non-arrlyal 81 the British reply.
n was stated that the publication %
the note IN advance 81 us receipt BY
thIg government Was unusual