The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-11
Japan DOES NOT
WANT PHILIPPINES
SAYS Jap EDITOR
Or. Iyenaga Declares Climate
of Islands Is Unsuited to
His Countrymen - Might
Take Them With Bonus.

WASHINGTON, July IL. (spl.)-
Japan viii gobble you up" That is
the expression OF many Americans
when they hear the Filipino plea for in
oepgndence. Some q those who sin
cerely desire to comply with our wishes
see the specter of q Japanese empire
awaiting the withdrawal Of American
sovereignty TO grab the islands.
Now a nation grabs another territory,
ilrst, because she van II; and, second,
because 1t will benefit her, Responsible
japanese officials have time and again
said that they do not want the Philip
pines DIT. Iyenaga, one Of Japan's most
ecuVe publicity agents in the United
states, once said hat Japan would not
accept the Philippines, even as a gift,
Unless that gift should be accom-
gave to Spain. but by a round billion Of
collars to be expended fer the educa-
ton and development of the Filipinos,
Japan would surely decline your offer.
Japan a no use for the Philippines for
colonization purposes because its
climate is as unified to us for that
Renee in Formosa has convinced US OF
that"
Country Has Enough.
Many Japanese believe that with
Korea, Manchurla and Fcrmosa, Japan
- S1AAANASAANJ OSAuDipu WIN ICIIiluIldt
dominions, and that in the f6ng run it
would be more advantageous for her to
adopt a policy of righteousness and fair
dealing with all nations han to seek
new fields OF conquest. An assurance
to that effect would greatly strengthen
her friepdship with the allies and, con-
SeQuehtty, her own credit abroad. And
Japan knows that to attempt to take
the Philippines after the United States
mad set them up as a republic, and had
so proclaimed before the world, would
be viewed in America as an hostile act
States.
But there is another factor. Would
the Fflipinos be willing to become sub
Jeets Of Japan? The Japanese them
selves know too well that they would
not, DR.. Nitobe, possibly the greatest
Japanese authority on colonial govern
ment, In an interview printed in the
Philippine Free Press on May 6, 1915,
SAID; 1t is rash to conclude that be-
cause we are of the same race the Fill
pinos would gladly invite Japan to be
their ruler. They believe that they are
superior to the Japanese. Their Gus
toms and manners are influenced by
progress in the conception of their
treatment of the weaker sex in com
parison with that prevailing in other
parts of the east"
Filipinos Would Rebel.
IF Japan should ever attempt to take
the Philippines, either peacefully or by
force says an opponent of independ-
ence, Carl Crow, in his book, America
and the Philippines" she would imme-
diately be involved in a fight much
more stubborn than the one the United
States was compelled to put down. 1t
Is impossible to imagine the devoutly
Catholic Fflipinos ever submitting even
to a semblance of rule by a nation as
essentially non Christian as the Jap
anese, and 1t Is equally impossible to
imagine a Christian world allowing such
a reverse to the unbroken advance of
Christianity"
The Philippines are asking only for
an opportunity for free and unhampered
development of their people and natural
resources, so that they can in their
humble way contribute to the civillza-
tion and progress of mankind. This de-
sire cannot injure japan, On the con-
trary, What Japan desires of her neigh
bors is the least possible interference
by foreign nations, She 80 informed
China many times, and that was the
main reason she gave for annexing
Korea.
Ten million Filipinos are not such a
very small people. Separated from Asia
by tremendous waterways, they feel
themselves to be in a splendid isola-
ton. They think that they have a
fairly good opportunity to work out
their own destiny, and In a short time
to be able fully and effectively to take
care Of themselves.
Was independence ever attained by
any nation without the people taking a
chance? II absolute safety from foreign
aggression was an essential condition
to Independence, how many nations
would be independent today? Could
Belgium alone have withstood the at
tacks of Germany? Could France? And
yet, who would say that these two
countries should not be Independent?
The Filipino people showed during the
European conflict hat they could
unitedly respond to the call Of war.
They organized and nuioped a full
division which was rte>'y u em'As't for
France when the arm vLc4 was dig red,
without the aid of a draft NV, a ~ Jugh
the call was only for 2F. 100 men, 80, 900
volunteered, including the best young
men OF the Philippines, the very flower
Of our youth.
Granted their ideal of independence,
inspired by the destiny that awaits
them, the TO- 900, 900 Filipinos will make
it their business to see to 1t that they
have a chance of developing their coun-
try and making II, in the words of their
Representatives, "a safe place of law,
order. justice and liberty, where Amer
leans and foreigners as well as ma
tionals may live peacefully in the pur-
suit of happiness and prosperity and
| co faty in tha enjoyOant Of their Drnp-