AMERICA AND JAPAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2187, 9 October 1920, Page 4

AMERICA AND JAPAN.

BITTER PRESS COMMENTS.

ThoJupanesc press, which up to recently had maintained comparative composure in (he face of the anti-Japanese agitation in the United Slates, has lately adopted a more hitter tone and violent articles have appeared in some of the Opposition pajiers. The Kokumin Shiinlmn declares: “The attitude oi! California is now tinging American policy in Asia, and is tints making the Californian question .a. national one. It is making till the United States Japan’s antagonist, despite the existenee of many elements of fairness among the Americans. Because the antiJapanese agitation has been taken uj) as a political and Presidential issue the entire nation will soon be involved in Lite ilame of (his feeling, reducing it to ashes, with Hie possibility that the whole world, will he gutted at last. “Now the question enters a new phase. It is not unreasonable to expect that the United Stales will withdraw from Asia, while driving the Japanese from the United States. Japan, while a small nation, cannot silently endure, insult and contempt from a nation which has failed to sign the peace treaty. Japan has the right to demand the freedom of the Japanese in the United States in exchange for Japanese co-operation with Americans in Asia. Otherwise she must force the United Slates to withdraw her Oriental policy in exchange for the withdrawal of the Japanese from America. Both the Monroe Doctrine for the United States and the Aside Monroe Doctrine must lie recognised.” Concluding, the Kokumin Shimbun states ibat it is now plain that the United Spates does not believe the Japanese declarations that she has no territorial ambitions, and intends to curse Japan even in the Ear East. Only two courses are open to Japan now —to yield to Amereian seb'isbaess or to repulse it."

The Yorodzo Choho says : “Americans are now attempting to force .Japan to tight, whether Japan likes it or not. None dreamed that (lie United .States would go lo such lengths of selfishness and aggression so soon after the war. We arc unable to remain when Uni United Stales is shoVing herself a hypocrite, a wolf in sheeps clothing, a monster masquerading as an angel. After trampling Haiti and San Domingo under her fool, she now

attempts interference with Sa.ghalien, incites a revolt in Korea, and hostility towards Japan by China. At such a rate the American attitude towards Japan will soon bo worse than towards the blacks. No wonder Japanese blood bits reached boiling point.” The Chuwo Shimbun. ((noting an anonymous spokesman for “a leading group in the House of Peers” advises (lie Japanese people to continue their calm and patient attitude towards America. To attack the Prime Minister and the Government over the lukewarmness of their attitude is not productive of good the paper says, because aggressiveness on the part of Mr Ilara would be unlikely to result favourably, and would possibly result in the suicide of Japan. ' “Should Japan,” says the writer •’ failing diplomatically, resort to arms, the lirst step would be Urn withdrawal of the Japanese from 1 lie United Slates, whieh is exactly what the Americans want. The second step would be the suspension of commerce, resulting in Japan losing her silk and tea export trade and cotton imports, hurting Japan tremendously. Even should the Japanese occupy a portion of Ihe American mainland, Japan would pay the larger bill, while if the Americans occupied a portion of Japan, that would seal the fate of lids country. 'The wisest policy is to repose confidence in the character of the Americans and wait a favourable turn of events.•