The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-04-02
|OFF|CER ARRESTED
I AND HELD Z HOURS
U. s. Major Seized in Car
BY High Commands
Order.
Continued from First Page.)

NOntinuoO from flTet fd8S.J
cumstance based upon the treatment
accorded an American citizen at the
order Of the Japanese high COM
mand. In an incident which may only
be adjusted by the two governments
Immediately concerned.
1t may not become an integral
part Of an international conference;
there IL conflicting evidence which
must be weighed and measured,
there Ii testimony which must be
taken from each and every person.
ality actually involved.
1t must not be forgotten that the
search and arrest Of an American
officer, no matter what his post or
the nature of his duty, may only he
precipitated by a chain Of events
In which each link may provide the
necessity for drastic action, not in
evitably diplomatic in character. n
a decision Is to be rendered on such
a subject II must be just, expert
enced and impartial, grounded on
an intimate and comprehensive
knowledge OF truth.
Concern of America.
The search Of Major Clarke,
against a hinterland of intrigue. mil
itary urgency and public indiffer-
ence. may not be judged by the
American people. But the japanese
method, which either o0untenances
or lnstigates the search and the
arrest Of an American, Is tho particu.
lar concern OF America and may be
neither yelled nor obscurod by benev-
olent pr0nOuncements on the part Of
statesmen or pacific negOtiatOrs.
There Is little occasion to discuss
the moral Trusteeship" which the
Powers convened in Washington
proclaimed as the official guarantee
to an unrepresented Russia. This
ambiguous, charitable and comfort
ing indication of policy drifted lightly
from view during the intrepid dis
sertations inspired by more practical
and more immediate issues. There
Is also no reason whatsoever for
reviving the Inter-Allied interver-
ton in Siberia. The cause for that
philanthropic adventure has long
since been dissipated. The American
troops were Withdrawn and to all
intents and purposes American re-
sponsibility was at an eni.
Therefore the more generous and
human considerations may be set
aside. But the fact remains that an
American cruiser stands off Vlad.-
vostok, American citizens serve in
the Inter-Allied Railway Commission,
and several hundred Americans pur-
sue their individual destinies in this
troubled region of the earth where
Japanese troops guard the railway
terminals and Japanese finances
an artificial, nominal. but
raj N
position to the actual democratic.
government Of the Far
Eastern Republic.
Needs Of Japan.
1t is admitted that, IN this particu-
lar moment OF her history, japan
must discover an outlet for her peo-
pie, must provide for herself new
and hospital territories for cxpan-
sion. 1t cannot be denied that the
pressure Of her national necessities
is very great and unrelen-ing. But
there are instances in Japanese his
tory where economic exploitation and
appear to have become
confused in the Japanese calcula-
tons, where lawful rights and priv
ileges have become COMPOUNDED with
military domination and merciless
The memory OF the world. in which
there In treasured so much OF good
and evil. may no longer dwell on
the benevolent absorption Of Korea.
but the small episode of Shantung
was not 70 swiftly set aside. II may
be argued that Shantung was a
minor stroke Of Imperialism, deliv-
cred opportunity and according to
L.. 80 1t.l, ~
cannot be declared that japan in
stigated the process Of appropriat-
ing choice morsels of territory
In China. Indeed. II may oe said
that Japan acquired this art from
a veritable galaxy Of past masters.
All of which does not alter the
that q civilized society
Of nations, under the inspiration OF
a terrible and binding necessity. is
earnestly endeavoring to escape the
black practices which are part and
parcel OF lawless aggression. II
Japan, the new disciple Of Occidental
method and procedure, has not yet
become aware that the Anticipated
and military dogmas are
yielding to a more human
and healthy creed of action, then
Japan must be taught this valuable
lesson by the somewhat indirect and
prolonged process Of public condem.
nation.
Power Of Public Opinion.
For. when all is said and done. the
power Of public opinion forced Japan
to capitulate in the question Of Shan
tung. 1t Is true that this gigantic
weapon of public opinion has been
recently forged and that
hefull measure of its power is vet
TO be estimated. As have men.
toned, however, neither the suavity
nor the adroitness Of the diplomats
was equal to the emergency Of Shan
lung; in this instance the diplomats
became but the medium for the ex-