The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-15
SEE
THEIR ERROR
Frankly Admit Militarism Re-
SponSibIe for UneaSinesS
Abroad.

Toxic, Aug. 12.-(Delayed.) ia.
P0-Restitution to China by Japan
of those parts OF Shantung provinces
including Kiaochau, now occupied by
Japanese forces. will be made with
out necessary delay, but the time re-
quired will be dependent upon the at
titude of China. said Takashi Hara,
Japanese premier. today. in answer
to a question as to when actual res
toration would take place.
The premier. in answering the
query of the Associated Press. made
the following statement:
my colleague, Viscount Uchida-
minister of foreign affairs, Issued a
statement on Aug. 2. in explanation
Of our policy respecting the Shan
tung question. That statement rep
resents the considered opinion of this
government and / have little to add
in dealing with the same subject.
(Viscount Uchida, in his statement
which was referred to by the pre-
mier. said that Japan was willing to
restore Shantung to China and would
enter into negotiations with the Pek-
ing government as soon as possible
after the Versailles treaty had been
ratified by Japan.
"The question is oftem asked as to,
when japan will return Kiaochau to
China. l would point out in reply
that for the restitution of Kiaochau
detailed arrangements should be
worked out beforehand in common
accord between the Japanese and
Chinese government and that the
length Of time required for such ar
rangements depends largely upon the
attitude in China In any case, we
fully realize that 1t is as much in our
own interest as in the interest of
China TO accelerate the conclusion Of
all needed arrangements and to eff
feet without unnecessary delay the
restitution of leased territory which
we have solemnly undertaken"
Disturbed by Reports
Premier Hara and high officials Of
the Japanese government discussed
frankly with the correspondent what
was called the "wave of anti Japan
ese feeling" in America They were
plainly disturbed by reliable reports
received here showing uneasiness as
to Japan's attitude relative to Shan
tung as one cause for the sentiment
of discomfort among the friends of
Japan. but felt Japan's repeated as
surances as to restitution with the
premier's statement to the Associated
Press today should clear the air and
prevent any deplorable misunder-
standing
It Is frankly admitted here that
Japan's so-called militarism is re-
sponsible for much uneasiness
abroad. The Japanese insist there Is
a distinct movement under way to
,urb any excessive influence held by
the militarists which might be cal
culated to be harmful to the legiti-
mate development Of the nation and
nimical to Japan's relations with !
America
Japanese liberals are deeply inter-
.sted in an article from America by |
DR., Inaso Nitobe. of the imperial uni |
versity of Japan. The causes of senti-
nent adverse to Japan are given by |
Dr.. Nitobe as follows:
Chinese anger against Japan; Ko-
.ean hostility; anti-Japanese feeling
IN California; anti-Japanese prop
oarty tactics by opponents of Presi-
lent Wilson; German propaganda;
he Idea that Japanese militarism Is
menace to democracy.
Reason for Unpopularity.
In celebrating the last named point,
Dr.. Nitobe said reason for the un-
of japan among Euro
,eans and Americans was found in
T., n p q
he writer adding that the opinion
because of her militarist elements
Tapan is regarded a dangerous nation
o humanity, democracy and free
Iom."
Nothing can be more harmful than
o be ignorant of the general trend
,f the world and to be blinded by
and minded patriot
sm," DR.. Nitobe writes. THE mill
artists Of my country are not only
Unable to appreciate the spiritual
meaning taught by the great war, but
re, so to speak, unconscious traitors
O the empire. Regardless of the great
ruth that the warriors sword sooner
r later will put a country In peril
hey have copied everything German
With the result that my country Is
solated. I do not mean to disparage
he army and navy. but would not
olerate for a moment their interfer-
nee in politics and diplomacy"
In the case of the Tien-Tsin In
ident Japan holds that the funda-
mental cause of the collision between
apanese and Americans was the fact
hat American troops entered the
apanese concession In that city on
he night of March - and that
america should recognize the truth
( this assertion.
Wants international Agreement.
Newspapers, which are reappear- 4
ng after the recent shutdown due to
rinters' strikes, attack the statement
1ade by Viscount Uchida Aug. as
n abandonment of an exclusive
apanese settlement Of the Kiaochau
natter and the substitution OF an in
ernational agreement They say that
indicates weakness on the part
( Japanese diplomacy and claim that
v the rights won by the sacrifices Of
he army Tsingtau should be tenac-
,usly held. II