JAPAN AND AMERICA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1753, 19 May 1913, Page 4

JAPAN AND AMERICA.

While the friction between America and Japan is not likely on the present occasion to lead to a rupture serious enough to involve the two nations in war, there arc many thoughtful students of affairs whp regard it as more than possible that there will ultimately be a resort to force between them., At the present moment war would not suit either country. Neither is prepared for it, but in the back of the minds of the statesmen of both countries is the knowledge that tho time may come when niero words will not be sufficient bo settle their differences. The present naval strength of the United States as compared with that of Japan is not such as would encourage her to become aggressive in a sea fight, and no other sort of armed warfare could be contemplated. Wlicn the United States sent her battleships on their great round-the-world cruise, it was generally recognised that there was something more than a mere demonstration behind the voyage. The tests which it afforded of the capacity of tile'licet.to travel long distances on given coal supplies, and the opportunity the cruise provided for experiment in other directions must plainly have been well thought out in advance, and with a clear purpose iu view. The object may, of course, have been merely a desire for practical knowledge' on given matters fur general purposes: but to many the idea behind it all appeared to have grown out of the increasing feeling _ in America that with the Philippines on their hands, and with Japan so powerful a Factor in the Pacific, jt was necessary to place themselves in a position to know Ik>w fhrjy would lie sitiiat";! in a trial of fur'ce al sea if compelled by circumstances J■> meet Japan in her own waters. A few (lavs ago we. were lnid that (lie (Tinted' States Naval Authorities pro-

posed to send anotherlarge fleet on yet another long experimental cruise ; this time to the Mediterranean. That project, seemingly, has now for the time being been cancelled. The reason given is that it is not desirable at the moment to give rise .to any alarmist statements. The cancelling of the arrangements for the cruise is just as likely to lie read the other way; that is, that the United States considers it desirable to keep her fleet handy, in view of possible contingencies. _ The latest cablc news to hand at time of writing makes it clear that President Wilson has entered into office at a particularly awkward time. Not only is he embarrassed by the action of California in this matter with Japan, but Arizona lias followed suit, and has gone a step further, raising prospects of trouble with Mcxico. The outlook is far from a pleasant one, for Japan is threatening retaliation, and Mexico is pretty certain to do the same. The suggestion of Japan, to refer the whole matter to the Hague Arbitration tribunal, seems to offer the easiest and perhaps the safest way out of an awkward situation.