The Washington times., 1918-03-16
IAPAN'S COURSE IN
SIBERIA WILL FIX
, POLICY FOR YEARS
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
(ContInued from First PageD


not at all on account OF any lack OF
faith in Japan. but because of a fear
that without explicit statements
from all concerned the Russian peo-
., pie might misunderstood the move.
But what caused the suspicion or
Japanese plans to grow and what en-
abled those who were outspoken
against japanese action in Siberia TO
spread with conviction their doc
trines, was the mystic silence mann
tanned by the japanese press. During
the recent DAYS when discussion In
American newspapers concerning a
japanese expedition to Siberia was at
its height, not a line came from Tokyo
TO Indicate how the Japanese people
felt.
Our Government was in close touch
with the japanese government, but
our people were not in touch with
the japanese people There was none
of that partnership Of peoples which
ought 10 characterize the relations
between free countries. Our diplo-
macy. which means, II it means any
thing, a frank interchange of views
by the newspapers and journals OF
all the countries on pending action,
was not operative, as it should have
been.
Roundabout News.
The only news the American people
got about Japan came by way of
TientsIn and cities in China from
which points the dispatches were sent
over cables not controlled by the
.-panese. That is one sure way to
breed distrust and doubt. 1t is most
unfortunate that the japanese goverp-
ment did not realize that the attitude
OF hesitation on the part of America
was due in large part to the secrecy
which attended the Japanese proposal
itself.
This is not the first time a bad I'M
preston has been produced by such
tactics. When the japanese demands
on China-twenty-one in number
were placed before the Chinese gov
eminent a similar silence on the part
Of the press in Tokyo preailed. The
news leaked out through Peking and
gave an Impression that has not yet
been entirely removed.
One of the reasons why the Lans-
Ing-lshii agreement was received with
favor in this country was that every
detail concerning it was made public
One Of the reasons why Viscount
1shii made such a favorable impress
sion Of the people OF the United
States was his openness and explicit
ness of statement. His speeches
were widely read. They were not
confined 10 mere diplomatic formali-
ties. but touched upon the very
things which had produced suspicion.
the very things which were in the
peoples minds. Suspicion may be
groundless, distrust may be iIl-found-
ed, but when It exists It must be
treated as a fact and dealt with can
didly.
German Propaganda.
German propaganda undoubtedly
has been responsible for much of the
doubt concerning Japan which has
been spread throughout the United
States. but whatever the cause, its
result-the status OF our public opin-
ion today-must be carefully assess
ed and analyzed. Japan was able to
obtain from the United States a clear
conception OF all the American people
thought. The press here discussed
with the utmost freedom the Japa-
nese proposal to intervene in Siberia.
There was no censorship, but. on the
contrary, the most sincere and accu-
rate reflection Of how all classes of
people felt But American CORE.
spondents in Japan did not send US
what the Japanese people thought.
Unquestionably the Siberian episode
will be adjusted. Japan's diplomatic
b
But IL is worth while to emphasize
the injury to the japanese case which
was done in the press by a lack OF
news from Japan. It is precisely in
these practicable ways that distrusi
can be removed and friendship built.
As for the American position to-
ward the suggestion Of a japanese
expedition to Siberia, undoubtedly the
japanese press will wonder. Probably
ofF Frfh hrNfn n hn nj n
States a desire to hold in check Jap.
anese expansion on the Asiatic con.
tinent. Nothing could be farther from
the truth. President Wilson's policies
apply Just as well to Asia as any
other part Of the globe. The free
and uutrammelled development OF
nationalities. the legitimate eXpan-
SION OF trade and commerce, are
maxims which the United States
would like 20 see applied in the Far
East as well as in every other part
of the globe. Indeed, ] think ! am
well warranted in saying that there
is growing sympathy with the de-
sire Of Japan for opportunities to ex-
Npand commercially in Asia. Our own
bankers are becoming more and more
intimate with the financiers OF Japan.
should Get Together.
II is the time of all times to for.
ward the cause OF good relations be-
tween America and Japan. Carefully
handled, the Siberian question Will not
seriously impair this development OF
n rapprochement between the United
/, states and Japan. This IS in large
pArt attributable to the confidence in
apired by the terms Of the Lansing
Jshii agreement. The mere fact that
Japan gave voluntarily a pledge not
10 violate the territorial integrity or
independence of China has done more
10 remove suspicion than anything
which has happened in many years.
And precisely because japan was
ready TO make such a statement about
China her best friends in Washington
and other parts of the United States
thought a similar expression would be
Forthcoming with respect to Siberia.
Indeed, IL japan had publicly an
nounced her desire 10 protect allied
property and to withdraw from ST.
berIa Immediately upon the conclu-
sion OF peace, and had renounced az
the same time any desire TO acquire
siberian territory, very little objec-
tion would have been raised 10 her
NKVEnNN