The Washington herald., 1918-04-18
The Hun or the Jap-which? ?

Many a careful thinker is going
over this question in his mind nova
days, and always the same conclu-
sion is reached. which Col. Harvey
mas summed up in words equivalent
TO these: There's no question be-
tween them. Give US the Jap"
History of the two nations is
vastly different in some of the inn
portant points upon which the think
ers decide the matter. For one thing
and 1t is important-the Japs re-
spect their treaties. The Germans
do not. The fact that they do not
is sufficient to disqualify them from
association with the balance OF the
nations. The fact that the Japs do, is
enough to guarantee them a seat at
the council of nations.
And of the future few can dare to
speak-perhaps no one can. The fact
that Japan Is n semi-theocracy-if
that be true-is not enough to bar 1t
from consideration as possible
powerful nation In the future rela-
tions of the countries. The semi
theocracy is obviously on the WANG,
and civilized Japan Is rapidly Civ
ing a national favor more democratic
and more nearly in accord with the
fighting aims of the allies.
America need have little to fear at
the hands OF Japan-if we prove to
he what we must be, the winning
factor in this mighty worlds battle.
II we can show strength enough to
do this our future will be very pleas
ant with Japan. And a rich friend
ship will spring up between this ma
al he To lob nil he
enduring and profitable to both.
The immediate job, therefore. is to
put Germany out of business. There
are more reasons than one for doing
it.
so, Senator "Hr' johnson, of Cali
fornia, has finally become a member
of the Senate Military Committee.
That means another investigator Of
rare judgment and unbridled courage
"a man who will go to the bottom
of things no matter what party hap
pens to be in power. If Republicans
triumph at any time in the future.
and then go wrong, Hi" will prob
ably assail his own partisan
bulwarks with the same aggressive
ness he displayed when drawing out
salient features of the Hog Island
Shipyard affair. 1t may shock some
of the folks hereabouts to say ii, but
our own opinion is that the people
got a pretty good man on the COM
mittee when Hiram was named. He
is for the people so much of the
time that little time is left to think
of selfish party interests. If his party
is right Hiram will be with it-but
when it ceases to be right Hiram will
be found among the first to stop
along the roadside and make mud
balls to begin a bombardment of its
ranks. That's kind of a man the
people want.
Senator Overman~- appears not to
have had an answer from Theo-
dore Roosevelt with reference to
the provisions Of the sedition bill.
OF course, there is a bare possi-
bility that the colonel will not re-
ply to the distinguished North Car
Gilman. If this proves to be the
case we may call the incident clos
ed. 1t has been quite clearly DEM
onstrated that T. R. was going on
information wrongly given out by a
Senate secretary-and that the
newspaper men were misinformed.
in fact, when they wrote the story
upon which T. r. based his screech-
ing statement. 1t appears that
when there is ground for criticism
our President can now be hauled
over the Goals. metaphorically
speaking, with quite as much free
dom as we can perform the duty
upon our ex.Presidents There will
be no immunizing or exculpatory
legislation to prevent 1t.
Knute Nelson. of course, will be
disappointed at the failure of the
Republicans to choose him for
membership on this important COM
mittee. But Knute was inclined to
palliate Intentional or unintention-
al wrong-doing and to minimize
mistakes which cost u dsarly. Hia