A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 71, 17 December 1937, Page 9

A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Japan And United

States

The United States Note to Japan and the demand for an apology from the Emperor is expected to produce a “show-down” between the two countries. Authorities have stated that if ever the United States, on the grounds of maintaining the principle of the Open Door and Equality of Opportunity in China, should take active steps to interfere with Japanese policy in East Asia. Japan would most certainly oppose her with armed force. This, however, is the only circumstance in which war between the two countries appears conceivable. Japan’s view is that, as she has no desire to interfere with American policy on the American side of the Pacific, she sees no reason why the United States should seek to meddle with Japanese policy on the opposite side of that ocean. A high official in Tokio said in 1935: “Europe and America possess no more political interests in East Asia than we possess in the European or American continents. We respect the colonial possessions and commercial interests of other Powers, and we will discuss issues with them individually as they arise. But we do not admit for East Asia any collective system including the non-Asiatic Powers.” In 1932 Viscount Ishii said: “An armed conflict between the United States and Japan is possible only in two extremely improbable contingencies.” One, he went on to say, was “if Japan were foolish enough to attempt unduly to interfere with the matters of the Western Hemisphere.” The other was “if the United States ever attempted to dominate the Asiatic continent and prevented Japan from her pacific and natural expansion in this part of the world; then, indeed, a grave situation would be created, for it is obvious that a nation with a population overcrowded to the breaking-point could not be shut up indefinitely in a narrow strip of land.” Japan holds the United States primarily responsible for the abrogation of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, the naval ratio 5-5-3, and the Nine-Power Treaty. The “Open Door”

The United States is said to be intent on preserving the policy of the “Open Door” in China.

A Japanese spokesman was asked recently: “What is Japan’s attitude to the ‘Open Door’ policy in China, first propounded by Mr. Secretary Hay, of the United States Government?” He replied: “Japan whole-heartedly stands for and affirms the principle of the ‘Open Door’ and equal opportunity for all, and she does not infringe it, nor seek to evade it. It is the League of Nations which acted in contravention of this policy by adopting at the meeting of the Assembly on February 24, 1933, a resolution legalising the antiJapanese boycott as a means of reprisal on the part of China against Japan. It is our considered view that k general application in all parts of the world of the ‘Open Door’ policy would operate for the maintenance of world peace and friendly intercourse between nations.” Secretary Hay made his pronounce- 1 ment in 1899. ‘it was an attempt to prevent discrimination against citizens of the United States in spheres of influence staked out by other Powers. It became associated with the principle of the territorial integrity of China among the Powers when critical occasions led the United States to press it upon others. It became a binding agreement at the Washington conference in 1922. , Emperor Of Japan

At the heart of the Japanese nation and at the head of the Japanese State is the Emperor, known to the people as the Tenshi, the Son of Heaven, or Tenno, Heavenly King.

The Imperial dynasty of Japan is the oldest reigning family in the world, Japanese history dating its earthly origin from 660 B.C. The present Emperor is the 124th of the line. His Imperial Majesty Hirohito was born at Tokio on April 29, 1901. Shortly afterward he was entrusted for bringing up to the family of Count Kawamura, a retired Admiral. At the ago of seven he entered the elementary department of the Peers’ Sehool. In 1912, the year of his father’s accession to the throne, he was appointed a sublieutenant in the army, and second lieutenant in the navy, and decorated with the Supreme Order of the Crysanthemum. On completion of the elementary course in the Peers’ School in 1914, he continued the study of various_subjeets in a special school instituted for the purpose under Admiral Togo. Promotion to the ranks of lieutenant in the army and sub-lieutenant in the navy came the same year; to captain and lieutenant in 1916, and to major and lieutenant-commander in 1920. Ending his special studies in 1921, he toured Europe, the first Crown Prince to do so. Because of his father’s illness, he was appointed Regent on November 5, 1921. Two years later, his ranks in the defence services were raised to those of lieutenant-colonel and commander. His marriage to Princess Nagako took place on January 26, 1924. In 1925 he was promoted to the ranks of colonel in the army and captain in the navy. On the death of his father, ‘he Emperor Taisho, December 25, 1926. he succeeded to the throne, and the new era was named Shown, meaning Light and Peace. Formal installation took place in Kioto on November 10. 1925, and the grand ceremony of making offerings to- the Imperial Ancestors was held on November 14 and 15. Imperial Palace

The Imperia] Palace, the residence of the Emperor of Japan, covers an area of about 531 acres in Kojimaehiku, Tokio, once the geographical centre of the capital. Originally built in 1430 by a provincial general. Ota Dokau. who named it Yedo Castle, it became the headquarters of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the sixteenth century and was greatly extended. With the transfer of the capital from Kioto to Tokio at the time of the Meiji Restoration, in IS6S, it was selected as the Imperial Residence and named Tokio Castle. Much of it was destroyed in the great fire of 1873. The present palace,, built between ISS2 and ISSS cost about £200.000. On completion the name was changed to the Kyujo, or Imjierial Palace.