Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-05-07
JAPAN AND THE ALLIES
FIowery Kingdom Has Been True to
Her Undertakings

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troops at Vladivostok to protect her
interests and those Of the Allies has
called out varying comment. There
il a considerable hostility to japan in
this country which begets suspicion Of
everything she does. The opposition
Of the trades unions Of San Francisco
and other west coast cities and Of the
farmers Of California, due to fear Of
local japanese competition, has been
given national importance by attempts
through state legislation to violate the
treaty rights Of japanese aliens resi-
dent on the coast Race prejudice in
our people has been famed by the un-
fair and bitter exploitation Of irreas
ponsible newspapers. To this has
been added the sincere feeling Of dis
trust Of Japan among American
friends Of China, who credit Japanese
statesmen with the desire to control
Chinese politics, business and develop
ment for the benefit Of Japan. On the
other hand, the unfortunate race
troubles in California, especially In
respect of alien land holding and use
Of schools and the not wholly salts
factory solution Of them, have served
to confirm in the minds Of the Japanese
people q growing conviction Of the un-
friendliness of America toward them.
BY action and reaction, the ancient
bond Of warm friendship between the
two peoples has been weakened.
The warnings Of Mr.. Hobson against
the danger Of Japanese attack upon US
have been given more attention than
they deserve. The senate of the Unit
ed States dignifed them by a resolu-
ton directed against supposed Japan
csc plotting for a foothold at Maglale-
ma Bay, when there was no basis at all
for the suggestion. The Zimmerman
letter to Mexico. inviting her TO secure
Japans assistance in attacking the
United States on her southern border
and taking Texas. Arizona and New
Mexico, fed fuel to the embers Of sus-
picion. From time to time the public
has been regaled with the suggestion
that Japan. violating her express
treaty obligation to England and her
obligation Of honor TO all her Allies
In this war. would combine with Ger
many and make a formidable combi-
nation against US. Japan's failure to
send an army to the Western front has
been emphasized as a circumstance
showing her unwillingness to join in
real defeat Of Germany.
All these insinuations do injustice to
Japan. Japan's attitude in respect to
China is not unlike ours in our Monroe
Doctrine. She thinks she has justi-
fed interest In preventing the exploit
tation Of China by Europeans powers
and the establishment by them Of
powerful bases Of territorial control
in her immediate neighborhood. She
seeks therefore to maintain right to
be consulted when China proposes to
make governmental concessions to oc-
cidental powers. In this field Of home
action there is ground for controversy
over the issue whether japan Is deal
ing Justly with China and whether she
Is not using duress to acquire guard
ianship over her inconsistent with in
dependence. Viscount Ishii has as
sured US that Japan is pledged to the
open door for all In trade with China,
and no specific instance Of its solu-
ton has been shown. Insisting on our
Monroe Doctrine, we must make nice
distinction to condemn Japan's asser-
ton of a similar policy in respect to a
close and weak neighbor who for
years has been subjected by European
countries to unjust pressure for con-
cessions Of territory and privileges.
Those who fear Japan's uniting with
Germany against US should remember
that to Germany japan charges her
great national umiliation after she
had won the victory in her war against
China and by treaty had secured Port
Arthur 1t was Germany who spoke
for the European mowers In compel
ling japan to give 1t up. japan has
not forgotten IL In the performance
Of her treaty obligations with us and
with England japan has been scrupu-
lousiy honorable. In maintaining her
right to be Chased with the great civi-
lied powers Japan has been more SON
sitive In fulfilling her promises than
we have been In our dealing with
China. Since 1903 Japan has had with
US a gentieman's agreement, not en-
braced In formal treaty, TO ksep down