The Washington herald., 1918-06-25

Japan will be taken at face value
In its representations to this gov
ernment. in the belief Of many mem
bers OF Congress who have been
looking with extraordinary care in
to our probable relations with the
Oriental empire.
Not that Japan would not see ad-
vantages to be gained from q union
with Germany. But Japan which is
very adroit. to say the least. 10 also
very farsighted. Advantages Of Q
temporary nature are not the only
ones sought. Japan wants per-
manent. enduring advantages. the
kind that will be apparent today,
tomorrow the next day and so on
throughout the year. and all years
to come. For this reason Japan
will remain with this nation and
with the allies in the prosecution
Of the war against the Teutons.
The thing Japan sees is that
Germany. at the outset, did not con-
template q dual ownership Of the
world. much less Of Europe. II
Germany therefore succumbed to q
sudden friendship now with Japan
and allowed Japan to get in on
European soil by entering Siberia
and part of Russia. II would be q
forca to be reckoned with at some
time in the future Japan sees that
Germany would not let 1t stand
that way for many years. As soon
as It recouped itself from the pres
ent war the battle would be on to
throw the Japs out-and an alliance
with the Teutons Is therefore DEEM
ed at this time to be wholly unat-
tractive.
But there is another reason-the
previous one had to do with a vic
trious Germany-the truth Is the
Japs believe the Germans to be in
fair way to be whipped. About the
most unattractive thing in the equa-
ton at this time Is a whipped ma
tion-or 1t will be-and Japan does
not hesitate to indicate that II pre-
fers to stay with the victors in
stead of having to take pot luck
with the victims.
Frank dealings with the United
States have been apparent OF late.
This Is due to the influence exert
ed on matters by Viscount Ishii.
The latter is q broad-minded. far
seeing individual with q certain
manifest friendship for this nation.
He Ii likely to bring about more
cordiality between the nations. He
has done so already. in fact. and he
is bound to add to 1t during the
balance OF the time Washington Is
permitted to have him with her.
We are quite sure the gentle
men who started out to mako the
nonpartisan league q real factor in
politics must be somewhat disap-
pointed. For the movement Is not
having the success its leaders
thought it would be blessed with
when IL let its declaration OF prin-
ciples filter through to the world at
large. As in many other movements
which have been intended to save
suffering mankind from some of it's
forced sins, this movement had too
many leaders. The multitude of
cooks spoiled the porridge.
A strange working of the conscrip-
ton law Is apparent, in this connec-
ton. The league leaders thought
they would make votes on the sup
posed unpopularity Of the war. But
they found that homes OF the en-
tire nation had contributed men to
the cause-that the draft law had
gone into wealthy and poor homes
alike, city folks as well as farmers,
and all had sent their flesh and blood
to do battle against the German mem
ace. So instead Of finding class
grounds upon which they could SOW
seeds Of discomfort they found sup
port for the war. genuine enthusiasm
for Americas cause and harsh re-
sentiment for those who would cater
to the spirit Of disloyalty In an ef-
fort to gain political power.
Some Of the people OF the nation
who should be up to better business
are beginning to show real anger
because the United States army
abroad is going to furnish its men
with "the makins." They seem to
feel that tobacco is being forced upon
the men and that evil will come Of
II all. This spirit OF intolerance, we
believe, 10 unexampled. There might
be cause for fighting the presenta-
tion OF strong drink to our men
abroad - something which, in truth,
II not possible-but as for fighting to-
bacco, there is no reason why the
men should not be allowed to settle
that question for themselves. We are
not sending an army Of infants across
the water. We are sending an army
OF men who are capable and who
will lock out for themselves. Let
them shape their own course. Our
-