The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-29
JAPAN'S PREMIER
CHALLENGES CRITICS
Takashi Hara Calls Attention
to COuntry's Stand in
the War.
GREAT AID TO BRITAIN
Policy of Selfishness Charged
Not Borne Out by Facts,
He Asserts.

TOXIC, Nov. LIBERALIZATION of the
private viewpoint of Premier Takashi
Hara in an article under his own name
! in the Chuloo, Seiyukai organ, concern
ing the misunderstanding by the world
of Japanese national characteristics, has
aroused considerable attention in all
diplomatic circles here.
In his article, Premier Hara denied
emphatica,ly that Japan is miltaristic
and invited foreign critics to study Japa-
nese history to prove the contention. He
laid considerable stress on the allega-
ton heard abroad that Japan is selfish,
promotes her own interest by disregard
ing those of other nations. and that she
is too selfish to consider the common
interests OF the world. These charges,
he contends, represent biased views OF
very small minority.
THE majority of intelligent persons
in Europe and America do not entertain
such views" Premier Hara writes, and
we need not refer to ancient Illustrations
to answer them. Regarding the attitude
OF Japan in the European war. we want
a fair judgment rendered by foreign
critics In the beginning of the war. the
Japanese attitude was watched with
keen interest and great Importance was
attached to it by the Allies and the
Central European Alliance.
Jupan's Part in the War.
Especially on the part of Germany it
had been expected that Japan, still en-
tertaining grudges of the Russo-Japanese
war. would attack Russia from the rear,
w,
But Japan true to the great principle
of the Anglo-Japanese alliance, rose in
the interests of humanity on the side OF
the Allies She thus rendered a VaIu-
able service toward the cause of victory
for the Allies. This is too plain TACT
to need reiteration. Because or Japan's
participation, England was enabled to
withdraw her Oriental fleet to be used in
the Mediterranean and the North Seas.
Russia. too was enabled to withdraw
her forces from all Siberia to be d.
rected toward the war front.
Had Japan been a truly selfish coun-
try she might not have enabled the
Allies to be at ease and to expect so
much from Japan. Not only England
and Russia, but also France. was placed
/ in such q position that she did not need
to worry about her Oriental territory.
The safety of Australia and the peace
upon Japan. do not want to say much.
but had Japan not been so loyal and
had she not made her sacrificing contri-
buttons. what result might the European
war nave achieved? Had Japan, for her
self interests. disregarded the mutual
safety of the Allies and INDUCED in cum
ming tricks, unexpected results might
have been created. That is self-evi-
dent truth
yet Japan has never resorted to such
tricks She went resolutely and UNI
! flinchingly to the cause of victory for
the Allies thus engaging in the preser-
walton of the world
Faithful to World Obligations.
"Japan has never violated interna-
tional laws or international faith. She
has been rather too timid to do so.
or. too inexperienced for 1t. In other
words. she has not yet been de-
graded to that extent. II there is any
fault TO be found with the Japanese, 1t
NAV be, as critics at home tell us. that
Japan is too modest and reserved. n
respecting international obligations and
in being loyal to friendly nations. there
perhaps is no country which will surpass
Japan though many nations apply the
same principles of moral conduct be-
tween nations as between individuals
"To be sure. we cannot say that there
has been no cause for misunderstand
ings as regards affairs with China in
the past. but that was a question of the
ability of the men in power at the time.
II was not due 10 any Of the traditional
principles Of Japan That the results Of
the deals with China were not such as
a section Of Americans have understood
them to be. is matter which has now
been brought home clearly TO the people
Of the world OF that ! am firmly con-
WINGED a"