Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-10
JAPAN IN WASHINGTON

JHHRN Nv WASftlNO ON
TT Is becoming more and more apparent
J daily that upon Japan. and upon the ma
turc of the influence which japanese states
men are able to exert in diplomatic circles
most friendly TO them. will depend the sue
cess or failure of what Mr.. Hughes now calls
the Conference for the Limitation Of Arma
mcntS.
What We in this country say or do. what
tho British may plan within the circle of
their own immediate affairs. cannot affect
the issue adversely at any point
Americans kecny desire relief from the
growing weight of armament and the spirit
of Jingoism which inevitably must attend it.
The British are even more eager than we
for realistic program opposed to militarsm
and its horde of evil consequences.
Japan is not specific, and the more gullbe
,apologists for Tokio's little group of Tir-
pitzes are fond of saying that this is be-
cause the japanese feel that a great career
of power and expansion is just ahead of
them.
1t is clear. too. that Toxic is stalking
great deal on tho forces Of foreign psy-
chology which were set in motion to color
tho vision of very large part of the West
crn world Immediately after Japan emerged
as a first class Power from the Russo
Japanese War.
The japanese have been told often that
they are the wonder folk of the East. They
themselves have begun to feel that they arc
that and more. That they have never had
to try their strength with n first class an
tagonist-thc Russian Army and the Rus
sian Navy were rotted ont by official cor.
ruption-dOCs not seem to affect the csti-
mates of contemporary statesmen who worry
about tho drift of affairs at the gateway to
tho Orient.
Japan is without the vast credit and with
out the resources necessary for even n small
war Yet the militaristc group at Toxic
continues to assume that it can name the
conditions under which all the world may
seek peace.
Fortunately for Japan and the rest Of
civilization. the army and navy cliQuCs
within the Toxic Government arc far from
having control Of tho nations affairs. They
inspired the unge into China and the drive
into Slbcrin-udvPnturc in imperialism that
have res tied in abjcrt failure and large and
rrcparablc financial losses for their people
1t seems hard TO convince the West that
Shantung is and has been an affection Of
the worst sort to tho japanese. and that
| Toxic would withdraw gladly If it could do
SO and save its face and it's prestige. That
| however. seems to be tho case
In Siberia thc armies Of soldiers and
GCthor 10 take possession of territory owned
by others arc in the midst of difficulties
| They urc ready to admit that their mission
| was hopeless.
Th" habit Of foresight IA not native to the
! japanese industrial impcGaist. II we nrc to
! judge by the visible consequences of his p1-
| pansioniSt program. Shantung has cost him
! ten times aS much as he ever hoped to got
| ont of il.
For til" Chinese have q way Of their own
to meet invaders. Two years ag" they cs-
| tabliShcd a boycott against Japan It in
Guided oven the school children. No ono
knows how it started. No one can ho held
responsible for it. China simply refuses to
buy any article Of japanese manufacture,
and China is in some ways the greatest
market in the world.
There lis no business in Japan that las
not felt the pinch Of the boycott which
grows tighter constantly. It is amusing
therefore. to read of officials at Toxic who
offer to "vacato Shantung for price, -
All non .militarist Japan is sick Of the
Shantung business and camoring for is
abandonment. Siberia has been n bottom
loss pit for japanese money.
We shall hear moro of tho mitarist
diplomatr argument from Japan as tho con
ference approaches. We may hear little o.
the real Japan. But the view Of the mnSsc.
, Vt the people and of tho governing minds o
the ompirc is dcftly summarized N the cur,
rent issue of the Oriental Economist. az
ably edited periodical which normally reflect
the point Of view of students srholur, an,
conservative business men in Chinn anc
Japan.
The Economist says fatty that the Iapa
nc,c Empire can be- saved from rontinuin
loss and the threat Of disaster only by
complete revision of its foreign poiry and
ro- establishment "f all It's diplomatic rra
tions upon the ground Of absolute morality
That is good advice for the japanese. An
it is good advice for every other Govcrnmcn
under the sun.