The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-28

dark cloud on the horizon of Japan American relations. The fact that the recent agreement has banished this cloud and brought about a complete understanding between Japan and America regarding this vital question is a matter for profound satisfaction.
 Now that we have repeated declar- ation of the American government as to it's confidence in the sincerity of Japan's affirmations concerning her policy in China, we feel more at ease, especially in view of the avowed de- termination of the two countries mu- tually to insist on their declared poli- cy being carried. In this way the new agreement goes a step further than the Root-Takahira agreement in 1908, acknowledging, as it does, Ja- pans special interests and announc- ing a mutual determination to pre- serve the integrity of China. Nothing is said of ways and means for oppos- ing those who may attempt to inter- fere with the Japan-American policy in China; that is matter for Subse- quent consideration. For the present it is sufficient that Japan and Amer ica have agreed upon and announced their attitude toward China.
 And so the outcome of the negotia- tions is that America has obtained Ja- pans pledge not to use her superior advantages in China for economic pur- poses, while at the same time Japan has obtained from America a guaran- tee to support Japan in her special interests against any other party threatening them and to prevent any other country establishing a sphere of influence against other nations in China Thus all ground for uneasi- ness in regard to the question has been removed.
 Of course no diplomatic question can be decided in a one-sided way; there must be the principle of "give and take" The new agreement will benefit both Japan and the United States. America and other countries obtain equality of economic interests in China, while Japan acquires politi- cal paramountcy in China. Political pre-eminence is a special privilege and this must give a special position. A special position implies some rights of course, while it has necessarily some corresponding obligations. These rights and obligations are not men, tioned in the new agreement, nor, gan they even be conjectured from the announcement made by the two gov ernments. They must sooner or later appear, however, for reasons of conf mon sense if for no other, with the development of international diplon- acy. Japan certainly will not be likely to forget or neglect her special obli- gations arising out of her special in terests in China, while exploiting the latter. Japan will be especially care full not to injure the principle of China's sovereignty, territorial integ-
 rity and the equal oportunity for all nations; and as for utilizing her spe-
 cial interests in China without violat- ing any of the above principles, that must be left to mutual agreement be- tween Japan and China.
 It is therefore a matter for con
 graduation that the two countries
 most concerned with the destiny of
 China should have reached this i'm
 portant and amicable agreement as to their policy in China, and expressed
 their determination to see that their
 agreement is carried into effect. The
 announcement of the new convention is assuredly regarded as an epoch , making event in the history of rela- tions between the Orient and the Occi- dent, and guarantee of the peaceful progress of Japan's policy in China (From the Japan Magazine, Tokyo, ; Japan. By The International News Bureau, Inc.)