The New York herald., 1922-01-01

even TO reaction and disgust,
with overpraise of Japan by
that school of writer's in which the
names of Sir Edwin Arnold and Laf-
cadio Hearn stand out prominently,
made one of those somersaults of
opinion not uncommon in literary and
international history after the vic
tory of Japan over Russia. Sympathetic
admiration of the supposed under
dog" suddenly curdled. In place Of re-
garding the Nipponese as either dainty
aesthetics or supermen suspicion, fear,
jealousy and a brood of sinister emo
tions were invited to and harbored in
the American breast.
The Japanese were dumfounded at
the change and wondered at it. Why
this turn from bouquet throwing to
undertaking? To-day, in both the
Christian and the pagan Japan, the
anxious question is asked of Ameri-
cans daily, "Why so large navy, ex-
cept that the United States intends to
make war on us?' 1t is beyond con-
troversy that the immediate effect of
sending our great battle fleet to the
Far East was to strengthen the voice
and hand of what Admiral Kato. now
in Washington, calls "navalism."
In this book of nearly 800 pages all
is dropped and the
underlying facts are presented most
clearly and forcefully. The authors
opinions and judgments are few or are
wholly withheld when record and
proof of actuality are at hand. Besides
a critical and comparative study of
documents Prof. Treat of New York
and California, and now in the STAN
ford University, has twice visited
eastern Asia to check his home studies
made during the past fifteen years.
Thus joining observation to research,
he has considered contemporary move
book approaches the quality of unique
ness amid the throng and bulk oil
what the steam printing presses OF
publishers and the newspapers issue
almost hourly concerning surface,
obvious" mysterious" and cunning
Japan. In the modern version OF the
Flood (Which the japanese like other
archaic peoples have) the pillows are
of ink and the windows of heaven drop
paper, engulfing and hiding the soiid
land of fact
Prof. Treat is the Noah, and his
chapters furnish salvation to all who
would know the truth. The first OF
his thirteen divisions, telling of Japan's
heritage, her history and culture, Is
an admirable condensation of what IS
known, not guessed. Happily and
began the new age from
that invitation of peace and friendship
Dy President Fillmore. Alas. that the
author barely mentions his name, CIV
ng all glory, as per tradition, 10 the
naval officer Perry. Then followed
intercourse. but the
treaties were in jeopardy until the
duarchy of Mikado and Shotgun fell
ana all government was centralized in
he empires head. Commerce and in
iustry undermined feudalism ana
made the way clear for the rise OF
New Japan. Then, after long strug-
yles. the treaties were revised, and in
line John Hays glorious doctrine OF
i.c open door" became fact and bless
ng.
But who slammed II shut, thus Civ
ng the Mikados militarists-thosel
pride. swollen and self-deceived men, /
who stupidly think that they made the |
new Japan and who grind sixty mill /
ions of people to poverty and Keep !
hem there for the selfish aggrandize-
ncnt of the minority. who profit in |
ash and fame from the situation
heir ground for boasting? From the /
irst croak of the raven until long after I
some millions of toilers, /
women and men, stand knee deep in /
he mire OF the rice fields, while other
millions fish and delve and work TO
,eep body and soul together 10 pay |
axes. while women are still sold into /
,ody slavery--all for the glory OF
.rnlies and navies Prof Treat writes /
.b,y of THE open Door in China" of
he Russian and of the world war, of
he new Far LNst and of The Japa-
iese in America" In all this his in
lustry. Insight and literary form are
'eyond praise.
But we do not find these excellent
Qualities. but rather an absence OF
hem and also avoidance OF the theme
4 responsibility when VIC come TO in
uire why the open door was shut. why
american prestige was lowered and
Why our express stipulations were dis
lonored and our solemn pllghted prom
SEES broken i'm the case of Corea. Why
vas our flag hauled down and our le-
alton called home just when American
apital was being invested and not
My almost all of the cultural ,infiu-
noes were from the United States,
ut also the bulk OF the foreign COM
ncrce of the country?
When we come TO find out how the
uthor explains this amazing blunder
Il our Government. which virtually
lullified the work OF John Hay. weak
ned our prestige In the Far East and
ave the Japanese militarists and