Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-23
SPIRIT THAT MAKES FOR Bet,
TER UNDERSTANDING

Susceptible persons are more af-
fscted by change Of tone than by
unexpected words". wrote George
Eliot. Associate this with some jof
tho responses elected by the state
ment OF our administration that the
governments OF the civilized nations
sre endeavoring to keep their pacts
made at the conference for linlta.
tion Of armament. and that the
spirit Of jingoism must not be per-
mitted the ascendancy In popular
thought.
In this instance both tone and I'M
expectedness have exerted an In.
huence. The Japanese are a
susceptible people In certain ways.
This should not be understood as
governing their action altogether. as
causing them to forget material adj
vantages. II should not cause any
Of US to forget that there are logical
conditions which easily might lead
to estrangement between that people
and our own. and in some degree al.
ready have done 80. But can we not
think OF any instances where logical
reasons have not arrived at the
logical conclusion?
How many In this country. or In
Canada. for that matter. following
the wars Of the Revolution and OF
1872. did not recognize logical rea-
sons for a rivalry between the
United States and the British
colonies on the north that might
lead TO trouble? Today these peo-
pies have found q mutual advantage
in their relationship which over
shadows their differences and
rivalries and sustains the belief that
war between them IL really unthink-
able.
Such q relationship Is indeed not
parallel with relations between this
ond an Asiatio country. to which dis.
Similar conditions apply. But cult
walton OF the spirit Of amity should
help nightly to clearer under
standing OF those differences. of the
varying view points. Of the respect
which should be accorded each and
OF the splendid possibilities for
friendly relations and the awful
ness OF conflict In warfare. which
nowadays We know Is incapable Of
really settling international prob
lens. We should be alive 10 these
rs well as to possibilities Of con-
fiict.
The Japanese ambassador to Great
Britain has taken occasion to de-
clare: TT Is preposterous to assume
that any real feeling of antagonism
exists between Japan and the United
States" President Coolidge's at
titude lends encouragement to the
anti. jingoes OF japan. or such Is
the commander in chief of the
japanese navy. who recently declar-
cd that his country had no cause for
worry over what the American navy
may be doing 5000 miles away from
the shores OF Japan. Judge Gary OF
the U. s. steel Corporation ex-
presses tho belief. founded on
knowledge that he has. that Japan
is faithfully carrying out it's pledges
for limitation of armament. A rep
resentatiye of the Japanese govern
ment has publicly stated that there
ID no question OF friction between
his country and England over the
proposed Singapore naval base. that
this was recognized as inevitable
and a sound commercial proposition.
He adds: Naturally we want to
work out our destiny unhamrered by
unfair restrictions, but that rule APP
piles to the desire of every nation
and must he respected by all
nations"
The spirit in which he said this.
the spirit In the attitude Of Presi-
dent Coolidge and Secretary Hughes
should 70 far to establish that re-
spect on tirmer foundation. and
find ways for helpful expression
and applica ton OF It to our inter-
national rotations.