Evening star., 1935-06-23
BY WILFRTD FLEISHER,


Il In the last few years with each
new japanese venture on the main
land Of Asia. The present situation
IN North China might well bring re-
newed tension were it not that Amer
ica and the powers seem to have
adopted q 'hands-off" policy.
Since the Manchurian outbreak, the
japanese have felt that the United
States has taken upon itself the role
of prosecutor" in support Of the peace
structure, while they are in the posi-
ton of a defendant" who does not
fear being sentenced, but resents the
whole procedure. This was particu-
larly SO in the early stages of the Man
churian affair when Mr.. Stimson was
sending successive notes to Japan and
when the League of Nations seemed to
the japanese to be sitting as tribu-
nal. Neither the American notes nor
the Leagues repeated resolutions de-
flected Japan from her course of ac-
ton, but japanese resentment was
made abundantly clear by Japan's
withdrawal from Geneva.
japanese Sensitive to Criticism.
Although Japanese policy may not
be Influenced by the attitude OF the
powers, 1t is mistake to believe that
the Japanese are Indifferent to foreign
criticism. On the contrary, they are
perhaps more sensitive to foreign crit
icism than at any time in the history
of modern Japan. The new Japanese
nationalism is proud and bold, but
sensitive.
Japanese attention is focused
above all on Japan's relations with
her Pacific neighbors, the United
States, Russia and China. There is
an intense interest in Japan In
American foreign policy and in the
American Navy. There is far more
interest in Japan in Americas Far
Eastern policy than there is con-
versely in the United States in Japan's
policies. The japanese have little
knowledge Of American internal con-
ditions, but their eyes are riveted on
any action the United States may
take in the region OF the Pacific.
Stimson Almost Caused War.
L ~
this country how strained American
Japanese relations had become at the
time when former Secretary Of State
Stimson was sending his series of
notes to Japan and how closely,
viewed from Japan, this policy threat
ened to lead to war. In January,
1892, at q time when the streets OF
Toxic were resounding with the steps
of marching troops leaving for Man
churia and China and martial spirit
was everywhere evident, Mr.. Slim
sons note embodying the principle OF
non-recognition brought Japanese re-
sentiment to a high pitch. Foreign
Minister Yoshizawa went so far as to
tell the Ambassador Of European
power that he did not know whether
it would be possible to prevent an
outbreak" against the United States.
There was a feeling among foreigners
in Japan that American-JapaneSe re-
lations had reached dangerous
point.
Mr.. Stimson accused Japan Of vio-
lating the Kellogg pact and nine
power treaty. The Japanese reply to
these charges was that, in so far as
the Kellogg pact was concerned,
Japan was acting in self-defense and
that the nine-power treaty was no
longer applicable to the realities OF
the situation. The attitude of Japan
regarding the nine-power treaty was
explained to me only recently by a
high Japanese official as follows:
s'The nine-power treaty no longer
responds to the realities Of the Situ-
alton. Each nation has ninth part
in this treaty, but Japan's share
should be much greater. Japan, be-
cause of her geographical position,
has q greater interest in China than
say Holland or Portugal, which are
far removed. The problem Of China
is q serious one for us, and our posi-
ton is q special one. There is no in
strument in which that special posi-
ton of ours is recognized, and we
want it recognized.
Territorial Aims Denied.
"We do not want any Of China'S
territory. The Chinese have created
the impression we do. But we want
to live in peace with China and cul-
tivate the most friendly relations with
China. What goes on in China con-
Germs us deeply and We feel the re-
sponsibility for peace In the Far East.
We left the League of Nations over
this difference of policy and our
policy is fixed"
Although the nine-power treaty Is
regarded in Japan as no longer ap-
plicable to the situation and, there
fore, as a "dead letter." the japanese
have shown no disposition to partici-
pate in negotiations for its revision.
They know the powers will not now
accept the Japanese thesis for respon-
sibiIity over the affairs Of China and
thev fear that discussion of the
nine-power treaty might bring about
q repetition of the situation which
existed in Geneva when Japan's ac-
tions in Manchuria were condemned,
forcing her withdrawal from the
League.
The Japanese read in Secretary of
State Hull's note Of April 80, 1884,
protesting against the Amau state
ment Of Japanese policy toward
China, q hint that the American Gov
ernment might not be adverse to
treaty revision in the statement that
''treaties can lawfully be modified,
but only by processes prescribed or
recognized or agreed to by the parties
thereto" and Foreign Minister Hirota
made what must be considered the
Japanese reply in his speech to the
Conference Of Prefectural Governors
in Toxic few days later, when he
said:
I'VE have no objection whatever to
exchanging views If necessary with
each individual power regarding
treaty rights and interests, but in
view of the fact that on questions OF
East Asia our views are rejected by
the powers in the meeting at Geneva
of the League Of Nations which forced
our decision to withdraw from the
League, it would surely be unwise to
reproduce O situation such as was