The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-13
these rights and privileges altogether in
order 70 allay their present misgfvings7

these rights and privileges altogether in
order 20 allay their present misgvings7
A Contrast of Japan with America
Japan's insistence for their retention
Is easily explained by the predicament
In which she finds herself, which II will
be difficult for the American people to
realize In full measure. The United
States Is economically a "satiated ma
ton" 1t produces more raw material
than II can consume and It's people can
spread over the vast territory extend
Ing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. But
japan has nearly exhausted her natural
resources, while her population IL in
creasing approximately at the rate OF
100000 per annum. Her colonial pos,
sessions are Insignificant and about two-
thirds Of the entire population Of the
United States is crowded In a group of
islands, the total area of which scarcely
equals that of the State OF California.
How is this mass of humanity to be
provided for. even with the barest neces-
stiles Of life7 The answer IL not far
to seek. The one and only hope Of jap
anese statesmen is to industrialize the
country. Only in this way can they
solve the difficult problem now confront
ing them. Yet the successful transition
from an agricultural to a manufactur-
ms country cannot be accomplished
without raw products. Herein lies the
key to Japan's policy in China. Instead
of parcelling China's territory, Japan
Is looking for an orderly Government
there and an assurance from II that the
raw products of that country will be
supplied steadily to satisfy the needs
OF japanese Industries.
The General Unrest in Japan.
Now, suppose this privilege was de-
MED japan or abridged In any way.
What would happen7 The hope of Jap
anese statesmen to industrialize the ma
ton would be wrecked and her people
would take 1t as a denial of their prim-
airy right to live and grow. For the
American continent and Oceania are
closed to them, and IL they enter ST.
IBERIA the suspicion is at once aroused
that they have designs upon that bleak
country.
ut may be unnecessary to reiterate
that Japan has always been "a nation
OF peace. Elihu Root. former Secretary
of State. says that there never was a
more consistent and noble advocacy of
peace, OF international friendship and
OF real good understanding In the d.
plomacy of this world tha.. was exhib-
tied by the representatives of Japan"
Japan is proud of the high tribute paid
her by this eminent American states
man. and her people are resolved to
ma intain as ever their peaceful relations
with the world.
Notwithstanding this determination Of
Japan for peace, however. there is and
will for some time to come continue to be
a general unrest among her people. What
is feared Is the effect of this unrest,
primarily due to the hardships of living
now experienced in Japan, upon her in
ternational relations 1t will, no doubt.
assume a dangerous form upon the
slightest exercise. Surely they will not
consent to a relinquishment of whatever
rights or privileges are due them as re-
suit of the war, nor will they be con-
vinced by an argument for status quo
which would seem to them tantamount
to saying: Now that we've got all we
want. the process OF grab must stop and
all must remain as they are"
First Step in World Reconstruction
The situation in Japan is delicate at
best Her people must be given employ
ment, and II must be seen to 1t that they
can make a living. To that end the
channels OF raw material must be kept
open for her industries.
There can be no question of infring-
ing China's sovereignty in the Shantung
question. The agreements entered into
by China with Japan in 1918 were an
acknowledgment by China of the Treaty
of 1915. China was the initiator Of
these agreements. and In return bor-
rowed many millions of yen from japan
for the purpose of developing railways
in Shantrng. The concessions and rail-
way building in the province Of Shan
tung OF themselves constitute no mem
ace to China's sovereignty. In fact. they
mean development for China. employ
ment for her people and increase in her
purchasing power.
The solution of Japans population
problem is the solution OF one of the
pressing problems OF the world. Besides
benefiting japan and China 1t will stabi-
lie the Far East. in which International
gravity has centred. Consequently II is
earnestly desired that the statesmen at
the helm of the victorious Powers. par
ticularly those who are guiding the des-
tiny of the United States, will cooperate
with Japanese leaders in giving this
problem a right solution as first step
OF the. world reconstruction.