Evening star., 1924-12-19
The United States and japan.

Yesterday the Secretary Of State, in
a departure from precedent. gave an
expression of the pleasure of the
American Government at the selec-
ton Of Tsuneo Matsudaira by Japan
as Ambassador at this Capital and Of
belief that I'VE can look forward now
to the most cordial relations with
Japan" At the same time there came
dispatch from Japan to the effect
that Premier kato, speaking at a po-
lttical dinner, stated that the japanese
government has declined with thanks
the tntimated intention of the United
States of sending the American fleet
in a visit Of courtesy to Yokohama
after the Hawaiian maneuvers of
1925. This declination, the premier
explained, was in order to remove
lnisgivings entertained by a certain
section Of the Japanese people, al
though, he went on to say, the Ameri-
can Government has been kind
enough to offer due explanations of
the motives Of the proposed maneu.
vers in the hope of securing a proper
understanding by the Japanese peo.
pie"
japanese objections to the proposed
Hawaiian maneuvers next year have
been based upon an utter misunder.
standing Of the reasons for this plan.
The naval assemblage at Hawaii is
not in any way inspired by apprehen-
sion on the part of the United States
on the score Of Japan's intentions or
feelings toward this country. Hawaii
is American territory, was acquired by
annexation definitely as a part of the
system Of national defense, as a naval
outpost for use in case OF an attack
by a foreign power. Maneuvers are
held at other points off the Ameri.
can coast without arousing fears or
suspicious on the part Of foreign ma
tions.
The United States has q Navy and
that Navy has certain bases. Hawaii
in the Pacific and that Japan is
a major naval power in the Pacific
does not warrant avoidance of its use
in the maintenance Of naval efficiency.
Nor simply because Of a present strain
in the relations between the United
States and Japan, due to a misunder
standing in that country Of the mo-
tives for certain actions by this Gov.
ernment, should there be any change
OF policy in respect to the naval train.
ing.
The United States does not acknowl-
edge that there is cause OF friction
between the two governments. 1t is
seeking in every way possible to pro-
mote amity. Witness the unprece.
dented expressions Of the Secretary Of
State in respect to the newly named
Ambassador Of Japan. Witness the
tender of a ceremonial visit Of cour-
tesy and friendliness by the Ameri-
can Navy following the maneuvers.
The declination Of that visit of honor
is not to be interpreted as a discour-
tesy, but as an acknowledgment by
the Japanese government OF appre.
hension Of further misunderstanding
by the people Of that country.
It Is painfully evident that certain
Japanese factions are seeking to
arouse spirit OF antagonism toward
the United States among the people
of Japan. Premier Kato is doubtless
trying to allay asperities. He is facing
a problem Of domestic politics. For.
wise disposed to add to his Difficult.
ties by pressing unwelcome attentions
and at the same time is expressing its
complete satisfaction with the choice
of Japan's new representative at this
Capital in advance Of his arrival.