The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1918-07-02
JAPANA sITuATIoN

Japanese educator and author, who
went to the United Safes some years
ago as lecturer, has warned his fel-
low eountrymen against making
separate peace with Germany and told
them that in the present world crisis
they should be very careful as to the
nature of criticism they may indulge
| in about the war. In an article writ
| ten for a commercial magazine, he
points out that Japan is now the
| cynosure of the powers and expresses
regret that, both before and during
the war, some bitter criticism has
| been made by some publicists regard.
| ing the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
Setting aside the question as to
how much advantage the alliance has
brought Japan, DIR. Nitobe thinks the
present certainly not the right occa-
sion for discussing it's possible demer-
| its, In his opinion, it was scarcely an
attitude worthy of a nation which
| prides itself on being most gentleman
| ly to bring this matter up for discus
sion at time when Great Britain
| is confronted with a serious crisis.
Dr.Ntobe continues:
at is alleged that the opinion pre-
walls among section of Japanese
| business men in favor of Japan's con
| clusicn of separate peace with Ger
many, following Russia's example. 1t
seems that the advocates of this extra
| ordinary course of action hold that
Japan can derive far greater CONNER
cial profits than at present by CON
verting herself into a neutral coun-
try and by trading with both parties
Of the beIigerents.
Viewed purely from an arithmeti-
cal standpoint, their theory may con
tain some truth, but the world situa-
ton has taken such turn that all
neutral countries are now obliged to
| take sides with either the one or the
other group of belligerents. In days
like these, can it be possible that
country upholds its national dignity
| long by assuming an equivOcal at
| titude?
at is certainly not the way to add
to the national strength and dignity
| for Japan to run with the hare and
hunt with the hounds For my part !
believe in Nemesis in history. What
Japan sows she will be called upon to
reap.
There is an almost incredible and
most shameful rumor that the view
| is even advanced in some quarters
in favor of making common cause
with the Central Powers, utilizing the
present opportunity of the eastward
| advance of German influence Some
statesmen, it is reported, think that
Japan will soon find herself sand
wiched between two mighty world in
| luences-America on one side and
Germany, whose influence is already
FELT in. Siberia, on the other. When
placed in such a position it will be-
come necessary imperatively for
| Japan to contract a special friend
ship with one or the other of these
| powers in order to maintain her posi-
| ton on a solid basis Thus, they
come to the conclusion that il Amer
ca turns a cold shoulder to Japan
there is no alternative left but for
| Japan to join hands with Germany"
| In conclusion DR.. Nitobe asserts:
''lf, by any chance, Japan should
conclude a separate peace with Ger
many and incur the deep resentment
| of British and America it is easy to
see that her future development would
be very disastrously interfered with
Moreover the prevalence Of Prussian
ism in Japan would be deplored by
all Japanese except a section of mill
tary men and professors. and the suf-
fcring it would inflict upon the Japan
csc as whole, would be very far
reaching. 1t must also be remember
ed that the territorial ambitions of
Germany cannot be satisfied by her
occupation of Russia and Siberia for
they are utterly Unsuitable"