The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-23
FRIDAY. MARCH %. 1884.
FOR u. S.-JAPANESE PEACE


Japan may be assured that the American
people share to the full the peaceful senti-
ment expressed by Secretary Of State CordeIl
HUI In his response to the friendly gesture Of
Foreign Minister Koki Hirota
+. There is no fundamental reason for mis-
understanding or conflict between the two ma
lions. On the contrary, there is every reason,
both Realistically and realistically, for close
cooperation. Trade relations are important
Two causes Of unnecessary friction exist
Both can be and should be removed. For one
we are to blame, for the other Japan is re-
sponsible.
We are to blame for the needless afront
TO Japan contained in the immigration exclu-
sion policy. Japan does not demand the right
to dictate the number of her nationals we
shall receive as citizens. But she rightly OBJ
jects to offensive discrimination. Rarely has
accuse Of international friction existed which
can be removed so easily as this one. If Japan
were put on a quota basis along with other
nations the number of Japanese coming into
this country would not be appreciably larger
indeed, there is some reason to believe that
the number would be smaller under limited
legal quota, with which the japanese author
tiles co-operated, than under the present ban
and the bootlegging that goes with it.
The other cause for friction is Japans yio-
lation of the Chinese integrity treaty and the
consequent naval race. The Stin1son-Roose
welt doctrine of nonrecognition of conquered
treaty territory is apparently not understood
mill
propaganda has tried to make it appear that
the United States either has imperialistic de-
signs in Asia or desires to interfere in Japan
csc domestic affairs or both. Such is not
the case.
japanese diplomats here and others ia
miliar with American sentiment know that we
have no selfish territorial interests in ASIA
that the feeling of the man on the street here
toward Asiatic disputes is expressed in two
short sharp words-"Stay Out!" We have no
crusaders complex driving us to impose our
political policies on the Orient. Nor have we
an holier-than-thou attitude toward Japanese
imperialism; we have had in the past our own
skeletons in the Caribbean closet
We have challenged Japan's treaty viola
ton with our Stimson- Roosevelt policy be-
cause we have no choice. We, and other ma
lions, in 1922, signed treaties with Japan IN
good faith The object of those treaties was
Pacific peace in the interest of all concerned,
including Japan. One threat to peace was
Chinas weakness and the danger of agrees
sion by any one of the stronger powers caus-
ing war which would drag in all the others.
The second threat to peace which was largely
the result of the first, was naval rivalry
Therefore. related treaties were drawn and
signed guaranteeing China from aggression
and limiting capital ships at a fair ratio
+ AS proof of good faith the United States
made grave naval sacrifices. She gave up the
right to fortify her own naval bases IN the
far east, she strapped vessels which would
make her the strongest naval power IN the
world. and she accepted a f1ve-three ratio with
.Iapan. making her weaker in far eastern
waters than Japan-thus eliminating the re-
hottest possibility of United States aggression
in the far east
1t was a two-fold peace bargain. We have
kept the bargain. Japan broke the first part
IN Manchuria. Now she says she will de-
nounce the second part of the bargain and
insist on a higher naval ratio.
& I'm short there is not much left OF those
related peace treaties for which the United
States made such great sacrifices. Ana YET
we are still bound by them. Obviously VhlS
unfairness can not continue.
The United States has no desire to dictate
Japan's choice She can make her own choice.
Rut she can not have her cake and eat 1t.
IF she chooses the way of aggression in Asia
there is no guarantee of peace in the Paclhc
regardless of how good her intentions may be
toward the United States; and if there is no
guarantee of peace in the Pacific the United
states automatically will be forced by events
10 reconsider its policy regarding naval
strength and naval Notifications.