Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-29
JAPAN LOYAL TO ALLIES

THE following editorial, translated from
l. the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun, a leading
Japanese daily. shows the eagerness Of the
Japanese press that their nations enthu.
siastic adherence to the cause of the Allies
should not be brought in question. Certain
utterances of Premier Terauchi which
might possibly be construed as having a
pro-Teuton flavor, have been bitterly con-
demned In Japan, and the Asahi Shimbun
Of May 27 comments thus on the matter:
AS days go on increasing Importance Is
being attached to the remarks of Premier
Terauchi to the representative of the outlook
of New York. Not only are they now begin
ming to become subject Of discussion among
the Japanese thinking class, but also among
the foreign residents in this country, and we
have reason to expect that they will, in
course OF time, elicit comments among the
Allies and eventually end by offering well
come topic to our enemies. The Japan Adver-
tiser says that when the Premiers words
reach Germany the German press will lose
no time in triumphantly printing them under
the bold headlines japanese Premier De-
sires Alliance with Germany" What word OF
excuse can the Japanese, from the Premier
downward, offer for this? or late the ex-
Foreign Minister Niscount Motono, anticipat-
ing what harm the, Premier's alleged state
ments are calculated to do to the nation in
her international relations. has openly de-
clared himself free from any connection with
the affair.
This then leads us to surmise that the
two persons responsible are the Premier
and the Foreign Minister, and 1t Is only too
natural that what such persons are credited
with saying should bring back loud echoes
from abroad. In all probability the Allied
countries partly from international courtesy
and partly from the consideration of alliance,
will refrain from demanding an explanation
from our country, which Is one of the allies.
Be this It may, II Is an unredeemable
loss on our part that the irresponsible re-
marks should give our foreign friends the
impression that our nation. while fighting
on the Mediterranean as n member of the
Allies, Is, on the other hand, treacherous
enough to be dreaming of shaking hands with
Germany after the war. To be under sus-
picion Is the greatest dishonor that a nation
could suffer, and 1t Is an everlasting misfor
tune for people. The disgrace of a nation
could not be greater than when she has lost
the confidence of the rest of the world, and
no misfortune could be more bitterly felt by
us than that caused by the suspicion Of the
other peoples.
Premier Terauch may perhaps. have
given rise to this deplorabe state Of things
unintentionally. but the fact nevertheless re-
mains that his utterances published to the
whole world have brought the greatest dis
honor upon the nation. This Is not easily
revocabe. How are the Premier and Baron
Goto to discharge themselves Of their respon-
sibiities toward the world? For some time
past we have been hearing again the cry for
a Japanese expedition to Siberia, emanating
from France and England. Although II looks
a little strange that the case of the Siberian
question which was once thrown out of court
should be suddenly brought up for new dis
cussion. yet considering the recent conclu-
sion Of an agreement between China and
Japan the French and English invitation to
Japan for intervention in Siberia is not alto
gether without reason.
The indifference of our public toward the
matter and the absence of any sign of Ger
man invasion to the east seem to be depriving
the Chino-Japanese agreement. as well as the
French and English call for Japanese troops.
of it's practical use In spite of this position
Of affairs. should the statements Of the Pre-
mier regarding the possibilities of Japans
alliance with Germany and his seeming re-
luctance to send an army to Siberia make the
position OF the country difficult among the
Allies. and should Japan accept the invitation
Of France and England simply to remove
their suspicion. we and the whole nation
must most positively and empha atically object
to such an absurd move. 1t goes without say
ing that troops should only be sent to Siberia
II the German eastward invasion becomes
menacing. .'...
Such a danger, indeed. seemed very
near at hand when Russia made peace with
Germany and the German prisoners of war
In Siberia were set free, but at present we
fail to see any indications Of Germany COM
ing eastward. 1t is not our purpose to dis
cuss the Siberian question here We only
fear lest the Premer's careless speech
against the will Of the nation should lead
Japan into a course of action equally against
our will. We hold that the Premier and the
Foreign Minister should Immediately take
steps to do what Is necessary to remove any
doubts that may exist in the minds of our
Allies.