The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-03
MAKING TELLS
ASIATICSTAND
Cannot Be Happy in League
With Race Discrimination,
He Says.
MUST - HAVE EQUALITY
Peace Delegate Says "Japan
Is Not Too Proud to
Fight
MUST HAVE EQUALITY
By Tie Associnfed Prt.,.

fARlS, April 2.-No Asiatic nation
could be happy in a League of Ma
tons in which sharp racial discrimi-
nation is maintained. Baron Maxine,
head of the japanese delegation to the
Peace Conference, declared in a state
ment to the Associated Press to-day
on the position of Japan.
I'VE are not too proud to fight the
Baron said, "but We are too proud to
accept a place of admitted inferiority
in dealing with one or more associate
hations. We want nothing but sim
pie justice"
Baron Makino's statement in full fol-
lows:
You ask me for a plain and frank
statement of the position OF Japan.
Well, l am tempted to ask you a ques-
t!on In reply.
DO you think 1t possible for me 20
say anything that vii! not be wilfuiy
distorted and misinterpreted by those
who have SO long and so persistently
sought to clog the efforts OF my coun-
try and to ascribe to her motives she
has never had and to malign her at
every turn? lie, us see.
Debt to the United states.
"As to the United States. Japan has a
very sincere. abiding and affectionate re-
gard. We owe TO her our place in the
world-that Is TO say, the cvilixed
world. Perhaps should not altogether
agree to that phrase because you know
and evary one should know that Japan
has enjoyed Q civilization all her own for
many ages. 1t was civilization born
of the highest sense of honor. of the
sense which the west could not under
stand nor appreciate because we had
lived apart as hermit nation.
when. through the expedition of
Commodore Perry and the efforts of
Townsend and Harris (the first Amer
icsn Consuls General to Japan), we
I Joined, il may say so. the League OF
| Nations OF the World, we took on a new
ambition. which was to interpret the
civilization of the Western nations
which we had studied and recognized as
better, although not all were more hon
orable than our own.
You will note here that America was
the first country TO agree to make a
treaty with us abolishing extra-terri-
toriality. You must remember that we
| did not ask to join this first League Of
| Nations. We were forced to do so.
Perry came to US with naval power and
forces to compel US 10 oren Japan to
| intercourse with the Western world.
| I'VE yielded and I am glad. as is all
Japan. that we did yield. because 1t has
been OF great benefit to our country.
And now We are asked the second
time to join a League of Nations. But
Row? AS equals? II so, we are ready.
| We want TO consider with the greatest
cure the interests OF all our associate
| nations In such a league, because by no
other policy can the League OF Nations
succeed.
NO Asiatic nation could be happy in
! League OF Nations in which sharp
racial discrimination ls maintained.
| While we feel very kecnly on this point,
our precise position must not be misun-
derctood nor misrepresented.
I'VE are not too proud to fight. but we
are too proud to accept a place of ad-
mitted inferiority in dealing with one
or more associate nations. We want
nothing but simple justice. We are glad
10 Join the League OF Nations and do
our full share in the maintenance or
the worlds peace and order and the
reigli OF justice for all peoples.
Not to Force Inning ra ton.
I'VE do not wish to impose our labor
ing ella sses as immigrants n2on any of
our associate countries. We recognize
that this question is one with which
each nation must deal individually. End
we have voluntarily shown our good
faith by our observance of the so-called
gentlemen's agreement with the United
! States. and this notwithstanding that
the principle Is in direct contravent,on
Powers in forcing the door of our hermit
kingdom.
| I'VE do not object to the proviso sug.
Rested by Elihu Root safeguarding his
country on the subject OF internal ad-
ninistration. His proposition applies
alike to all countries. We want no spe.
cial privileges.
what we do say and feel is that
we are entitled TO frank and open
admission by the Allies. with whom we
have fought and will fight for a free
and civilized world and besides whose
sons our men have died. that the prin-
ciple Of equity and Justice is a funda-
mental tenet OF the league. This applies
of course only to the conduct OF govern
ment and cannot govern the likes or dis
likes. even the tastes, Of individuals
which are their own.
I'VE see difficulties In the way of a
permanent and successful operation OF
this League OF Nations unless the con.
tracing parties enter II with mutual
respect Marriages OF convenience toe
often breed distrust and discord rather