Denver labor bulletin., 1918-08-10

For several months the Far Eastern
situation has claimed its share of the
headlines. After the first burst OF
unthinking enthusiasm over the fact
that the Japanese were at last "going
in," more deliberate ideas began to
prevail and educated opinion seems
to have swung around to the view that
in seizing Vladivostok and Eastern ST.
IBERIA Japan would not be really "go-
ing in" in manner that would effect
ually aid in the major prosecution OF
the war, but would be taking move
which would give the Germans a
firmer grip on the Russians and which
might even turn the latter against
the allies. This is unquestionably
sound conception, but the situation is
very complex and there are dangers
inherent that should be considered,
whatever the immediate development.
The outbreak of the war in 1914
found Count Okuma as premier of
Japan, with Baron Kato as foreign
minister. Under these men Japan en-
tered the struggle against Germany,
and captured and held Tsingtao, the
German stronghold in the Orient. In
carrying out this object, the Japanese
took virtual control of a large part of
the Chinese province of Shantung.
Apparently there was section of An
glo-Saxon opinion not especially lau-
datory of their acts and motives, for
Count Okuma thought it advisable to
issue special statement to the Amer
lean people on August "a, 1914, dis
avowing all intention on the part of
Japan or acquiring territory or tres
passing on Chinese rights or author
ity. However, a few months later
saw negotiations over the famous
twenty-one demands presented by ia
pan to China. This affair excited
great deal of adverse comment in Eng
land and America, and the Japanese
press on its side manifested decided
resentment with the attitude of allied
opinion. Due to this Western opposi-
ton, Group 5, including demands for
police and military powers in China,
was postponed for future discussion,
but the remainder were forced thru
by an ultimatum in May, 1915.
1t should be kept in mind that there
is very numerous and powerful mill
tary faction in Japan, drawing its ad-
herents from all classes of the people.
This is not surprising when we con-
slider that the feudal and warlike ira
ditions lasting down to the very re-
cent date when modern Japanese his
tory commenced, are still strong in
the present generation. Now, this for
ward party in Japan unquestionably
was more than irritated at the objec-
tion to their Chinese policy shown in
America and Great Britain. There
were ominous mutterings thruout
1915 and the first half of 1916. This
corresponded with the series of Ger
man successes eliminating in the fall
of Warsaw and Brest-Litovsk, the
crushing Of Servia, and the securing
NJ Iirorf cov,o fiov, hofxuoov, Con-
stantinople and Berlin. There was
frank admiration expressed for the
efficiency OF German armies and allu-
sion to the fact that the Japanese mill
tary establishment was modelled on
the German. On the other hand, the
references to the aid rendered by the
British contingents at Tsnigtao were
the reverse of complimentary.
The course circumstances were TAX
ing was not pleasing to the elder
statesmen of Japan, than whom there
are no wiser in matters of internation-
al concern. It was evident to them that
the superior resources of the allies
must, if used with care and persist
ence, bring eventual success, and they
had no desire thru the suspicion Of
pro- -Germanism to come into opposi-
tion with the victorious coalition after
the war. 1t was felt that Okuma and
Kato, while in no sense open to se-
rious charges, might be suspected Of
being lukewarm in their friendship to
the entente and of being too much
under the control of the forward
party. Accordingly Count Teruchi
displaced Okuma and policy of culti-
waiting America and England was re-
vived and followed. Various friendly
commissions were dispatched to this
country and the visit of Count Ishii
with its resulting Lansing -Ishii agree
ment crowned the efforts made.
The brief resume above is neces-
sary in order to bring out all aspects
of the present situation. If approval
is given to Japanese occupation of
Vladivostok the effect on Russia will
be bad, as has been generally pointed
out. Another feature not SO gener-
ally realized is that it must result in
greatly increased control of China.
The latter with Manchurian and Mon
golian interests at stake will be ex-
pected and will desire to cooperate
with Japan. But she is at present