Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-04-05
for the signs are multiplying that the voters
OF the country will hold the party to D. rigid
accounting at the polls in November.
Daniels and the Yellow PerIlists

g ECRETARY OF THE NAVY DANIELS
- has acted as wisely as he has promptly Tin
repudiating. SO emphatically as to be con-
Vincing, recently published statements pur-
porting to have been made by him before
the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs. Had
those statements, twisted as they finally
came before the public, been permitted to
pass unchallenged. they could not have
boon other than red nag waved delber-
atefy in the face of Japan. a nation with
which this country is on friendly terms
despite the cold-blooded, ong-continued eff
forts of certain American interests to in
yolve these two war associates in difficul-
ties that might easily lead to IN outbreak
or hostilities. Denials seldom overtake
malicious nntruths and the false construc
ton placed on the eecretary's testimony
perhaps already has done incalcula bio
harm to relations that have been carefully
fostered in the face of many obstacles, but
NJ least his prompt reputation of the SEN
sationai and unfriendly remarks attributed
to him will serve to allay Japanese resent
ment and prevent the incident from be-
coming the cause OF fresh International
unrest.
The secretary was justified in the testi-
mony he gave before the committee. That
body had right to know what Japan is
doing in the way of naval preparedness,
but 1t should be understood that Japan WINS
not singled out as an object of inquiry.
The secretary was Intercepted as we'll as
to what Great Britain, France, Italy and
other nations are attempting in their naval
programs, and he answered just as frankly
and with as little feeling as in the case
OF the Nipponese. 1t was legitimate in
quiry on the part of the committee and an
equally legitimate revelation on the part
OF the secretary. In the failure of this
country to affiliate With the league Of ma
lions, in the unrest of tho world, and the
activity of insidioua forces, it would be
criminal folly on the part OF the United
States not to keep abreast OF other nations
in military and naval preparedness not with
hostile feeling toward any, but with sole
view to future emergency.
For the yellow perilists in America to
single out from the secretary's evidence the
statements as to Japan, to play upon the
fears OF the people OF this country and the
tender susceptibiiities of friendly nation,
is worse than criminal; it is treachery that
comes near the line which separates treason
from patriotism. Tho incident is not new.
The campaign to ALLEVIATE Japan and the
United States has been carefully prepared
and is being as carefully carried out At
times in the past it has seemed OH the verge
OF success The great war, in which they
were associated against Germany, caused
subsistence Of the propagandist activity,
but now 1t is resumed in full force. Some
day it may be successful il steps are not
taken to put an end to 1t, or TO nullify It's
dangerous influence. Even a free press does
not moan liberty for treacherous plots, or
for seeking through fasehoods and mis-
representations to force America into war
with nation with which it has every reason
to be on terms OF enduring friendship.
Japan does not want war with the United
States any more than the United States
wants war with japan, no basic reason for
ili-fceling exists, and should one come it
will be as the result OF purposely manu-
featured hostile sentiment, the-.direct work
OF yellow perilist traitors