Evening star., 1924-04-16
SUDDEN FLARE-UP
IS NOT EXPECTED IN
JAPAN BY COOLIDGE
Forthcoming Elections Might
Be Used by Politicians There
to Strain Relations.
AMERICAN INDUSTRIES
COULD BE HARASSED
Word Is Awaited Here on Presi-
dents Attitude Toward Ex-
clusion Measure.
BN FREDERICK WILLIAM VILE.

Bh FREDERICK WILLIAM VILE.
1t can be stated on high authority
that the Coolidge administration does
not anticipate any suddenly grave
consequences" from the japanese
immigration crisis. Nothing SAVIOR
ing of the extremity OF war, either
now or in the immediate future, is
"NPected or even being considered.
fhe worst that is looked for, at
least as a prompt reaction to the
action Of Congress, is an excited state
OF public opinion in Japan. Japanese
statesmen are experienced in coping
with that sort of thing.
Probably the most disagreeable
feature of Immediate Importance is
the imminence OF general elections
in Japan. These are scheduled for
the third week of May. If either of
the two dominant parties-the Sci
yu-kai or the Ken n-sai-kai-should
decide to go to the country on the
American affront" issue, a tense sit
uation might be created.
Might Bring Trouble.
The Sei-yu-kai is now in power.
with cabinet largely dominated by
TIE House of Peers 1t is the in
Structions of Premier Viscount
kiyoura that Ambassador Hanihara
has just carried out in Washington
If in order to retain power in May
Oh a popular platform, the Kiyoura
party and government appeal TO the
Japanese electorate on an issue call
ing for strong action" on the immi-
grafton issue the agitated state of
IL. frrAN acVtlt
in giving the Sei-yu-kai a mandate
it would sooner or later have to exc
cute. Politics is politics in the east
as it is in the west. Politicians are
certain Nipponese leaders see politi-
cal salvation in showing Japan's
teeth to Uncle Sam, they might be
politicians enough not to resist the
temptation.
What Coolidge administra tion lead
ers do fear, in any event. as a result
OF new American exclusion legisla-
tion, is that II will usher in an era
of pin pricking'' in the far east. 1t
will put Japan, in other words. in
bad humor. II will incite successive
japanese governments to frustrate
American policies and programs in
the Pacific and the orient, instead of
cooperating with US in carrying
measure. American officials feel. the
fine spirit of teamwork inaugurated
at the Washington conference.
Fear Japanese Hostility.
The carrying out Of even the most
solemnly concluded international
pacts depends mainly on the heart
and spirit contracting parties put
into them. What is now feared In
Washington is that our exclusion law
will take the heart and spirit out Of
lf Ion in UnrkinR
hand in hand with America is con-
cerned. They will be in hostile, in
stead of in helpful. mood.
The ways in which Japan can be
obstructive in the far east are count
less In the first place. it is within
her right and power to pass drastic
Exclusion laws of her own. Of which
America and Americans would be the
prisals might be invoked. Our vast
business interests throughout the
Japanese empire could be harassed
in various directions. Japan might
enact some coastwise shipping laws
that would be cumbersome to the
American merchant marine.
1t would be comparatively easy
for the Japanese to circumvent the
policy of the open door in China.
She might continue nominally to live
up to the spirit of the open-door trea-
Ties effected 1t the Washington con-
ference, but there would no longer
be that sincere determination to OBJ
serve them which Japan has evinced
during the past two years.
Source of Irritation Seen.
1t is this policy of systematic pin
pricking and back biting that Ameri-
can government officials deplore and
fear. rather than any peril of war on
the part of Japan. For many months
raIa Dfy
the Federal Telegraph Company OF
California has been trying to carry
out an extensive concession granted
by the Chinese government.
1t virtually gives the American
corporation and monopoly OF radio ia
cilities in and out OF China, especial
l. across the Pacific. The Japanese
government has been combating the
concession, and. to date. frustrating
it. based on an alleged prior right
owned by the important Mitsui group,
the Pierpont Morgans of Japan
Henceforward, Wa ashington is con-
WINGED. Japan will conduct such con-
tests not only with legitimate vigor,
but with downright bitterness, where
American interests are concerned.
Perhaps the real promise that Japan
will not go to extremes over immi-
grafton is her domestic situation. This
is grave in many directions. Over
presented such serious problems. The
food supply is giving the government
genuine concern. All of these condi-
lions, resultant in large measure from
The 1923 earthquake disaster. have
given new impetus to the sociaIistic
movement There is an embittered
suffrage struggle in progress. The
Japanese misses resent the existence
of Viscouf1t kiyoura's so-called super
cabinet and it's alleged contempt for
proletarian susceptibilities. These are
ihfngs that are giving Japanese
statesmen and politicians plenty to
think and worry about, without plan
states. Yet the Japanese Diet has just
voted a gigantic new naval budget. to
repair the damages done to Yoka-
suka, the empires chief war harbor,
by the September disaster.