Evening star., 1920-05-25
JAPAN WILL OPEN
EAST WITH WORLD
SAYS0KUMA
Lacking Approval, Will Quit
Siberia Despite Conse-
quences, Statesman Says.
BY JUNIUS ID. WOOD.
By Cable to The Star and Chicago
Daily News. Copyright. 1920.

By Cable to The star and Chicago
Daily News. Copyright 1920.
TOKYO. May 90 tDelayed).-"If Eu-
rope and America understand Japan's
motives and give moral support. Japan
will be ready to disarm in Siberia, try
to improve conditions and open the
continent to commerce. II they are
unable to reach an understanding Japan
will withdraw. but the world must
face the consequences"
In these words Marquis Shigenobu
Okuma. probably the most famous
statesman in the orient. summarized
Japan's position in the far east. The
marquis received the correspondent in
his palatial home on the grounds of
the Waseda University. which he
founded. and of which he is now presi-
dent. Among his countrymen he is
variously characterized as the Sage
Of Waseda" and the japanese Roose-
velt."
Vigorous Despite His Age.
Born in February. 1898. he is still as
mentally vigorous as a man in the
prime of life. and is physically strong.
despite the fact that he was slightly
crippled some thirty or more years ago
by the explosion of bomb thrown by
misguided student who disagreed
times premier of Japan and descended
from a long line of samurai. he has
always led the most progressive ele-
ment in Japan. He urged the abolition
of the feudal system and the estab-
lishment of a constitutional and rep
is now working for universal suffrage,
though this has not yet been attained
Il WISH" he continued. that the
political struggle In the United
States was settled. so that America
would be able to do something toward
the permanent solution OF the Chi
nese and Siberian problems. Japan.
England and the United States are the
powers most interested. and their CO.
operation is needed to settle the great
problems of the orient, affecting the
welfare Of millions of people and of
the world. 1t is necessary for Japan
and England to do something, and
they would welcome the cooperation
of the United States. Japan would
like to withdraw her army from ST.
IBERIA. 1t already has cost S300.o00.00o
and many lives.
0Rers nm Open Door.
Japan offers the world an open
door in Siberia and does not intend
to monopolize the country's commerce
She wants her purposes made clear in
,rder that the other powers viii not
suspect that she has other motives.
If the other powers are suspicious
no other course is left open to Japan
except to leave and disclaim respon-
sibility for the consequences. II DOL
sheyism enters China, Japan viii De
obliged to help her. Some are ap-
prehensive Of the entry of bolsheviem
into India and other Mohammeoan
countries. It is, threatening Poland.
Persia. Hungary. Ukrainia and other
nations on the Russian border.
MARQUIS. Okuma declared that II vas
probably true that Russia whethe.
bolshevist or imperialistic. wouio
want to have restored to her All tne
territory Topped OF by the peace
treaty.
Politics and the League.
The MARQUIS asked for details con.
corning the coming conventions ana
showed an intimate knowledge OF tne
candidates. He expressed reste. ms
Americans should be interested Ior
several months In local issues 70 the
neglect of the international problems
when told that American oposftion 70
the league of nations was largely que
to the popular Apprehension thae .ne
United States would have to increase
It's armament to ASSIST In poi'ci"s e"e
world. he said:
There may be many reasons IN tne
inner polftics of the United states
which prevent the people from view
ing the league from the proper standr
fghtinp and enlarged armies and ma
yies. the league will be worth less.
Personally. ] favor the league as
stride toward world peace.
.aThe league parallels the political
situation in Japan. Japan Is an olo
country. but In a new stage. It's po-
Ntical government is like a river
Moving with many cross currents.
casual observers do not realize that
the stream il always responsive 70
the wishes of the people and Is broad.
ening yearly. despite it's appalent
hackward flow. So the league of na-
tions. despite its possible defects. is
broad movement toward universal
peace"