Evening star., 1925-12-06

the nobility. Ito was born Il plebeian
and died a prince. The same was the
case with katSuma. And numerous
similar instances are found in our
modern history. In fact, the rise of
poor boys to the highest offices Is a
common thing with us. Ability al
ways counts more than birth. On
formal occasions at the Imperial
Court. members of noble families hav-
ing the title of marquis, count or
baron are preceded by officials of the
plebeian class, even by. for instance.
the chiefs of bureaus in the various
departments of the government, who
correspond In rank to assistant secre-
taries in your Government depart
mentS. This constitutes striking
contrast to the system of court pre-
cedence in England.
In some countries property constr
tuteS one of the qualifications for dip
lomatic service. but with us. from the
very beginning of the institution of
our foreign service, the property
qualification has not been considered
in the examination of candidates. In
fact. almost all important posts III the
various departments Of the govern
ment and in the army and the navy
are held by men from the middle class
and from families of limited means.
Thus in Japan all careers are actually
open to talent, as is guaranteed by the
constitution.
Influence on Foreign Relations.
In concluding this brief survey of
the growth OF democratic ideals and
traditions in Japan. il seems pertinent
To touch upon the influence of de-
moCraCy upon international relations.
With the growth of democracy there
has developed what might be called
"new diplomacy" in which the will of
the people in foreign affairs has come
to play an important role. The
diplomacy of our modern time has
come to be the business of the people
as well as of the government. No
government in these days can afford
to ignore the wish of the people in
formulating its foreign policy.
No one denies that this tendency is
on the whole salutary. At the same
time it is well To remember that
democracy has its pitfalls not only in
regard To domestic politics. but also in
respect to international affairs. The
danger Of democratic control of for
eigu relations rests mainly i'll Il popu
lar misunderstanding of the general
conditions and the viewpoints of other
nations, misunderstanding of n
breeds suspicion and suspicion begets
hatred. doing harm in the relations Of
nations SO long as there Is popular
misunderstanding, the people are like
lE 10 fall an easy prey to propaganda.
We have seen in various publica-
tiouS recently brought to light that
during the great war misleading prop
aGandd Was extensively conducted on
both sides Of the armed camp. It was
manipulated SO skillfully and 50
claHdestinely that the people given 10
excitement and resentment caused by
that struggle. readily accepted what
WAS said and done with the deliberate
purpose OF misleading them. 1t is I'M
fortunately the case that propag ganda
* carried on III time Of peace as we'll
aS war. and often lmpairs the relations
of nations which have no real reason
for any feeling toward each other
than of confidence and friendship.
Must Know Each Other
The existence Of such a state of af-
fairs is highly deplorable and should
be earnestly combated by those who
are better informed and better dis
posed. The best method Of combat
ing harmful and unfair propaganda is
to acquire and cultivate among our
selves knowledge and understa nding
OF the general conditions and the
viewpoints of other people.
Democracy puts q great responsible
ity upon the shoulders OF the people
in the conduct of international affairs
L Mess the people take this new re-
Spou@ihi!ity seriously to heart and en-
tjeavuf 10 play their part honorably
and wisely. The democratic conduct
OF diplomacy cannot be free from it's
peculiar hlemishes and shortcomings
To overcome ignorance with knowl-
Ia a nd
ing with truth is incumbent upon us.
These observations. il Seems to NE