Evening star., 1919-08-24

After presenting this clear state
ment of the misunderstanding" the
editor makes these observations
"While we do not deny that some Of
us plead the necessity of maintaining
friendship, but at heart cherish the
ambition of acquiring territorial
gains, we ca0not but recognize the
fact that there are some impure and
selfish elements in, the movements Of
the Americans. These men may be
compared to the junkers of Prussia.
but they represent only small Sec
tion of popular opinion. II the people
Of Japan and America misunderstood
and suspect each other owing to the
erroneous actions of these few men,
leading themselves to a grave eventu-
ality, it will be a great misfortune
not only for the two countries but for
the whole world.
"If China awakens politically and
achieves an economic development
the Japanese will receive the greatest
benefits next to the Chinese. If rail-
ways are made, mines worked, cotton
grown and sheep raised in China. con-
siderable benefit will result to Japan.
The most earnest desire of the Japa-
nese toward China is that she will es-
tablish political stability and achieve
industrial development To imagine
that it is possible and to Japan's in
terest to make second Korea of
China is now regarded as an ana
chronistic chmera.
This is an outline of the view which
the Japanese generally take of China.
and we believe that most of the :
Americans will have. a similar view.
Is it not regrettable that while such
is the case the two peoples should
misunderstood each other and would
offend each others feelings?"
Scores of editorials from impor-
tant daily newspapers of Toxic could
be quoted to show how serious the
Chinese Japanese relations
have been and are at present The
Hochi. one Of the journals best known
outside of Japan, said in recent
issue:
1T is3undeniable that ambitious Chi
nese politicians and British and
American merchants are behind the
anti-Japanese agitation in China
At such Juncture it is i'm
pOrtant that the Chinese should not
allow themselves to be carried away
by instigation. while the Japanese
should not base their Judgment on
imagined or exaggerated reports.
Otherwise the friendship of the two
countries will be seriously affected"
The anti-Japanese movements in
China have attained to dimensions un-
heard of before" writes the editor Of
1orodZu. I'm Pekng new news
agency has been started, and it is
said that member of the staff OF
the American legation in Peking is
also a member of the staff of that
news agency /" 1t is of course
erroneous to think that the settle
ment of the. Shantung question is
national humiliation but this mis-
conception is due TO the fact that the j
Chinese cannot understand how great
a curse will eventually befall China if
japan does not obtain the rights she
is to secure with regard to Shan
tung."
In order that the Japanese viewpoint
may be perfectly clear l shall quote
one paragraph from another Toxic
editorial: THE failing of the Chinese"
wrote the Yamato, lis to make no ef-
fort by themselves, but to rely upon
the assistance of other countries.
They regard the policy of playing one
country against another as secret
diplomacy; they do not know that be-
hind diplomacy actual power Is neces-
sary. This Is responsible for the ma
tional decline of China. China relied
upon Russia and Germany in order to
restrain Japan, but what was the re-
suit? Why was China robbed of Man
churia by Russia? Why was Shan
tung left to the mercy of Germany?
Suppose China can drive japanese in
fuence from Shantung with the as
sistance of certain powers. what re-
wards will they demand? Is it easy to
imagine that China would be relegated
to the position Of the Philippines or of
1ndia?"
Neither Japan. England France, Ger
many nor the United States has "A
monopoly on the causes of trouble in
the far east. They are fourfold;
First,--It is doubtful whether there
has been as much secrecy in the deal
ings between the great powers con
cerning any country as has been the
case in China.
Second.--Since the Chinese revolu-