The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-09-08
Gathering the Fuel of War
(Chioouo rrr{h,1nol

lie Ql6pOSALlOu Oh responsible news.
papers in the United States to cult
vate friendly sentiment toward the
Japanese nation will soon be chilled
by the contrary disposition shown by
even the most important newspapers
In Japan. knowledge Of what hardly
can be taken as anything but delibe-
rate policy in the Japanese press to
inflame distrust and hostility towards
the United States In the Japanese
public has not impressed us favorahly.
Our correspondents In Japan take 1t
seriously, as the dispatch of Sept.
published in Mondays Tribune In
dicateS.
The fact that the present Japanese
government Is able to restrain irres-
ponsible inflammatory publicity, and
has failed conspicuously to do SO,
while officially declaring its deter
mination to foster friendly relations,
cannot be ignored by either the gov
eminent or people of the United
States. The explanation given unof-
ficially Is not assuring. We can make
reasonable allowance for the urgen-
cies Of domestic politics, but we can
not believe that 1t Is necessary to fbs-
ter widespread hatred and fear OF the
United States In order to induce the
Japanese legislature to vote or the
public to approve the army and navy
appropriations sought by them.
But even though the present Va
panese government may think this
course Of action Is expedient, we in
America must resent 1t as unfriendly
and regard 1t with concern as exhibit
ing q recklessness and lack Of good
faith which promises serious consequ-
ences In the future relations Of the
two countries. Official assurances,
like that Of War Minister Araki, must
be heavily discounted against back
ground Of unfriendly propaganda &C
lively carried on for months in Japan.
and the result must be to convince US
eventually that Japanese diplomacy IS
unreliable. With this conviction the
foundations Of friendly relations will
disappear.
This will bring about q transfornaa-
ton Of American policy which, how
ever tactless 1t has been in some in
stances. has been directed by the sin
cere conviction that friendly relations
between the two peoples may be main
tanned and that, as War Minister Ara
ki has just said, war between us would
be both unnecessary and deplorable
It would be both, but its prevention
must depend as much upon the senti-
ment and conduct of the Japanese as
upon ours. It would be misfortune
for both peoples II there is permitted
to grow and even encouraged among
the japanese public q sentiment OF
unfounded distrust and hostility to-
ward the United States which must
cloud its estimate Of the consequences
to themselves Of war or unfriendly re-
lations. Not only is America the prin.
cipal market for Japan, but the Unit.
ed States has resources which it woult
b fatal for Japan to encounter. A
war between us would be injurious K
the interests Of both nations, but it i.
to be hoped that japanese govern.
ment and people will realize that Il
would be not merely injurious but
disastrous to them. The United state'
10 not China or Russia. It is not bel
lieereut, but once embarked upon ,
conflict II would avail itself OF re-
sources economic, financial and mill
tary which would insure victory.
i this y understood Is It should b
II Toxic. II would seem to be very un
wise for Japanese craftsmanship Il
permit. much less create. q public cen
timeut which may make It difficult
70 maintain friendly relations, com
mercial and political, between on
countries.
The anti-American propag . n d
seems TO us very unwise for the rea
sons given, but It cannot be ignored.