The Washington herald., 1921-07-17


TOXIC. July Is.-More and more
Is heard Of the Asia for Asiatics
argument as the Yap and other
questions occupy the mind. and the
shipyards of all Japan are working
at breakneck speed upon arma-
ments. In spite OF the optimism
OF Baron Megata, who returned from
Geneva by way OF America, and
other strong friends of peace, less
and less faith is felt in the hope of
the success of the league of nations.
II is possible in Japan to get any
side of the argument and the press
Is filled with the discussion of the
problem from the several stand
points. 1t would be going too far
to say that Japan Is preparing to
assert her mastery of the Pacific
at an early date. but at the moment
the big navy crowd Is in control,
though with strong and apparent
ly growing undercurrent among the
leaders to hea-ken to the disarma-
ment cry. whics undoubtedly is pop-
ular with the masses, who prefer
peace to war.
Rests with Japan.
Quite aside from the armament
| question the whole problem of the
Orient continues in the limelight,
| and some OF Japan's best thinkers
are outspoken on the subject Of
China, which is the crux of the
entire FAR eastern situation, in the
final analysis. One of the leading
| advocates of an Asistic federation
Is Dr.. w. Ukita, a professor OF
waseda university, who recently has
returned from q tour Of Europe and
the United States, and through the
Taikan and other publications has
been giving utterance to his views.
mo one can deny the responsible
ity of Japan for other nations in
ASIA" asserts DR.. Ukita. "Since
the fall of Germany and Russia the
maintenance of peace in Asia rests
on the shoulders of Japan. 1t is
high time for the japanese people
to realize their position In world
politics in consideration of the
tendencies of international rels-
tions. and formulate appropriate
measures for the welfare of the
Asiatic nations. ~. =
Sees United states IN League.
The future of Europe may be de-
cided by the relations between
France and England. Just ana
equitable use OF their power in Eu-
| rope will succeed in organizing a
formidable federation of European
nations under the League of Ma
tions, which will be Joined by the
United States. In the meantime Ja-
pan should cooperate with China
in forming an Asiatic federation Of
nations in the east to keep in touch
with the tendency of the times"
I g
the European powers from the time
| Of the Russo-Japanese war and as
serting that IL was first based up
on the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of China, but
/ held in check by Japan's victory
over Russia, DR.. Ukita holds that
Japan's diplomacy has continued TO
I be out of date and no new policy
was devised by the Japanese during
the world war.
Japan Gained Nothing.
"As a consequence Japan gained
nothing remarkable at the close Of
the world war" DR.. Ukita asserts,
to the amazement of all those who
have seen the vast insular and stra-.
tegic possessions obtained by the
pact of London and confirmed by
| the treaty. OF Versailles. More
over. the failure of Japanese dip
lomats in the peace conference was
ANONYMOUSLY great and far reach
Ing, and the disgrace OF the Jap
anese nation stands as an undenia-
BILE fact before the world Neither
the government nor the people of
Japan have realized their position
in international politics. This is
| why We have to spend half our an
nual revenue for armaments.
The Incorporation of Korea is ap-
parently to the credit OF the Jap
| anese militarists, but the present
state of Korea is far from indicat-
| ing success. AS to the Chinese, al
| though they are too weak to resist
Japan, they eject every proposal of
the Japanese government. and there
is no prospect of friendly relations
between Japan and China. These
facts attest the failure of the Jap
] anese militarists."
Taking for his text the argument
that the decline of China would
mean the fall of Japan. DR.. Uesugi.
professor of the Imperial university
| in Toxic. contends in the Nichi
Nichi that China cannot hope to be
strong with a weak Japan.
Must Aid China.
Inc question OF the friendship of
Japan and China" he says lis the
| question of the whole Asiatic conti-
nent. Although weak in a military
sense, nevertheless China is the bull
wark against the aggression of for
eign countries. Japan takes pride
in the thought that she is among
the five great powers of the world.
| but the Japanese ought not to for
get even for a moment this import
ant fact, that they are strong only
because there is China in the far
| east.
without China, Japan would have
lost her independence. Asiatic peo-
pie can hope for independence so
long as Japan and China are friend
ly. That the militarism of Japan
is discredited in China, Is because
the Chinese do not think us strong
enough. II we were strong enough
to protest at least the far east, we
could safely count upon the trust
and friendship of the Chinese. 1t
is impossible to persuade the Chi
nese to respect us and confide In US,
when we, in our relation with for
eign countries, cannot make our m
fluence felt, and when we are fear
ing the American navy. Chinese
friendship becomes possible only
when we can make the foreigners
respect US and fear US.
Japan Overr.ted.
"A nation, If It ever hopes to lead
the world. must have superior
M