THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1908. THE BROWN MAN'S PRIDE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9032, 20 January 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1908. THE BROWN MAN'S PRIDE.

It must be generally recognised that the diplomatic relations of America and Japan are steadliy beccoming more and more 'strained. The burning question, of course, is, will breaking point be reached? Something very much akin to racial hatred is.beginning to display itself between America and Japan. The Japanese are a proud race. Indeed, they have been accused of suffering from overweening pride, while the world at large has heard more than once, of the qualities and glories of the men who own-"'The Stars and Stripes.", There is no question that Japan is not afraid to fight. The sons of Nippon would go cheerfully to war to-morrow if they, considered it would be of national advantage to do so. It is, perhaps, doubtful whether America has a similar'"stomach for light," but she certainly will not evade war at the risk of besmirching her national honour. War between the two . nations appears to be inevitable, sooner or later. A recent cable message to the effect that the American Department of Commerce is not yet completely convinced of the sufficiency of japan's proposed measures to restrict coolie immigration to the United States, and that the State department officials feel that it is not easy to convey to Japan, even by suggestion, the desirability of amending her plans without wounding her pride, is very significant indeed.

America, in order not to wound the brown man's pride, is evidently "climbing down," or thinking of doing so. Coming*on top of the cable message referred to is one from New York, which we publish to-day, in which it is stated that Washington despatches report uneasiness owing to sensational reports regarding the distribution of the Japanese fleet. It was shortly after the ajiti-Japanese demonstrations in San Francisco that President Roosevelt decided to despatch a fleet on a mission to the Pacific, and that fleet is now on its way there. Apparently the Japanese do not view this movement with entire equanimity, and the distribution, of the Japanese fleet may be a counter-move. President Roosevelt has just stated that "the America'! fleet exists only to protect peace against possible aggressions, and justice against possible oppressions"; and Admiral iSaito, of the Japanese Navy,say3he is willing to make an announcement as to the disposition of the Japanese fleet if it is needed to allay excitement. The value of either declaration may be open to a good deal of speculation. Japan, as one of the Great Powers, is hardly likely long to tolerate a condition of things which must be socially humiliating, and may effect her commerce to a greater or less extent. The present position of affairs between the two nations cannot last.