Evening star., 1933-08-08
Is Japan Right or
Is the World Wrong?
To the Editor OF The Star:

~ tEe EuitoT ok Inc 0tbT.
Apparently 1t is the purpose of the
present administration TO attempt TO
reconcile the present differences Of the
world by urging upon the various ma
tions the necessity Of preserving the
peace and of arriving at mutual under
standings by compromise. This Of
course Is actuated by the desire to re-
store world trade. and incidentally to
preserve good fellowship among nations.
1t is noted that the Japanese were
among the first to congratulate the
President OF this country ON this policy.
No doubt this Is in keeping with their
present front OF deception. They would
stand to benefit by a general recovery
from the depression. yet they cannot
conclude an honorable peace with
China
Japan. from q military and naval
standpoint Is as isolated as before
Commodore Perry came to the island
A camera in the hands Of foreigner in
Japan means that he runs the risk Of
being accused Of spying military secre,s
This is an unnatural situation in am
era which has brought out the military
strength OF nations and means for re-
ducing that strength 1t is an attitude
OF mistrust and suspicion of all for
eigners which dates back to the days
before 1852. 1t is an attitude which
defeats the purposes of those well-mean-
ing persons who are persuaded that now
all nations can be brought into
brotherhood to keep the peace and iron
out all differences at the council table
instead Of by the sword
Japan wants naval parity with the
United States. 1t is already superior to
this country as far as an army Is con-
cerned. We are superior in potential
I man-poWer at present, though what the
gradual amalgamation of China will
produce is uncertain. Is Japan justi-
fled in asking naval parity with this
country? The japanese Navy is at a
greater advantage in its home waters
against a foreign aggressor than the
/ United States Navy would be- 1t has
the advantage of distances. Our bases
are farther apart Japan really wants
I increased naval power rather than hav-
ing the power Of other nations reduced
by a mutual agreement.
Military secrets are really secrets in
Japan Very little is known of the
defenses Of the islands proper, and
practically nothing of the inundated is
lands. One has to take the word OF the
japanese that no bases are being pre-
pared In inundated territory This man.
dated territory is of vital Importance to
us because OF Hawaii and the Philip
pines.
The japanese violate the spirit. II not
the letter, OF the Arms Conference.
when they continue to build fighting
vessels in large numbers which were
not limited by mutual agreement among
the powers at the conference and force
other nations to do likewise al in
creased cost to taxpayers. They vio-
late treaties i'll more real sense when
they continue to refuse to let any one
visit the inundated islands on a peace
ful mission. The United States Navy
was on two occasions refused permission
to allow one OF its ships to visit islands
In the mandated area) Consequently,
there are rumors afloat about gun en-
placements being constructed. which Is
not permitted under the mandate. The
question is. what has Japan to conceal?
She was forced to lay her cards on the
table in regard to China. and has at
last suffered unfavorable publicity. in
spite of the camouflage of propaganda
sent to this country. Even now many
people in this country believe that ia
pan is being guided by war" or
military" party, who is responsible for
the offensive attitude of the japanese.
Others are blind to all but trade ad-
vantages.
Japan will not work with this country
in international conferences. Manchu-
kuo takes shape as a state. and
tentacles reach further into China. But
apparently that's all right with the
world The world first hedges. then
backtracks. Japan must be right
WILLIAM P. THOMAS, JR.