JAPAN AND AMERICA

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 146, 22 June 1934, Page 9

JAPAN AND AMERICA

COURSE OF RELATIONS

THE DRAMATIC DAY AT YEDO

ITS MODERN FRUITS

Japan has been celebrating the eightieth anniversary of the nation's opening to diplomatic aud commercial intercourse with the "Western world. As this,. historic event came about through the, arrival of the American fleet under Commodore Perry in 1854, the celebrations naturally assumed an American-Japanese character, with prominent officials representing both countries, writes J. Dempo in tho "Sydney Morning Herald." In this mutual exchange of compliments the most remarkable aspect was Japan's praise of America for "leading her into tho comity of modern nations, .because this stands out in marked contrast to the views -taken.by, many Japanese in the N past, and especially at the time when the treaty of intercourse was conceded to America. Eighty years ago the appearance of the American fleet of "black ships" in the bay of Yedo was regarded as an intimidation of Japan, forcing her to agree,to a treaty of commerce and amity when she wanted to have no relations whatever with foreigners. The Shogun signed the treaty only because he supposed, that force would be resorted to. if he refused. .In no other way could he understand the arrival of the warships. The Foreign Minister of the day, or Prime Minister, as he would now be called, the famous Ii-Kamon-np-Kami, was. promptly assassinated because the Emperor had been insulted by the Shogun in concluding a treaty without Imperial consent. ■ The present attitude of official acquiescence in the mission of the American fleet, and in the opening of Japan to Western intercourse through American intervention is \exj interesting as an indication of Japanese psychology, which always approves of what cannot, or could not, be helped. The two greatest mistakes in Japan's history were her "rejection of 7th c Christian Church and its extermination in the seventeenth century, and her policy of isolation from the,. Western world for more than two centuries.. Her martyrdom of the Church and 200,000 of her own best citizens isolated. Japan morally and spiritually from Christendom, .while her expulsion of foreigners, and rpfusal of all diplomatic intercourse with the "West, left her a handicap of nearly three hundred years behind tho Western world in politics, education, and industry. ', : AID GIVEN HER. Even then, Japan would scarcely have been able to overcome this handicap, to-the degree that she has done in the last eighty years, had it not been for the practical sympathy of the Englishspeaking nations whom now she seems to suspect of working contrary to her interests. There are those who fear that under Hie influence of military reactionaries Japan ia being forced into resumption of the feudal isolation policy that kept her so long'and so far behind the Western world. .' Although in the recent celebrations Japan, has approved of what America and Britain have done to/lead her into the position pf a firstclass • Power and make her one of the foremost of industrial nations, ■ her policy in the last two or three years causes; a suspicion that shb no longer desires their advice or assistance, but , rather covets complete independence, and''that at a'tfme- when'the nations of the world were never more interdependent, whether they will or no. But if ll» pupil attempt's to supplant the :toaeher so suddenly aud drastically the results can hardly bo satisfactory, especially as the teachers were never greater than they are today. No greater mistake could be mado than to suppose that the reticence is due to mere funk, lather than to reasons of humanity.' For thirty years Japan's best friends, both in the Press and on platforms, and even in legislative halls and universities, have been contending that the peace and prosperity, of Japan and the i-'ar East depends on friendly co-opera-tion 'between Britain,' America, Japan, and China; that.these- four nations must pursue a policy for the mutual benefit of all concerned, the strong helping theweak, and none menacing the rights or interests of the others^ Up to the-'end of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in 1922 this policy was but partially implemented, owing to the weakness of China and the ambitions of certain-Western nations; but the Washington Conference of 1921, facing the'threatened disintegration of China, attempted to safeguard, the situation and discourage aggressors by concluding the Nine-Power Treaty, guaranteeing the territorial integrity of China; and now that the Treaty, has not succeeded in its purpose, another international conference is to meet next year to straighten out the situation. '■ BEASONS WANTED, At that conference Japanwill have to state plainly why she intends to. command a nayy second to none; and if her answer implies the intention to use it against American and British interference in Chinese affairs, in case China 18 threatened with territorial disruption through the aggression of another nation, the situation will at least be clarified. ■ The entire situation turns on Japan's suspicions of Britain and America in the Far East. , Japan is afraid of Russia, but her fears in that direction would be greatly alleviated could she know whether Britain and America would be neutral in case of a clash with Russia. But doubt in thia respect is increased by tho suspicion that Britain and America aro pursuing a policy wholly in their own national interests in regard to China and the Far East, with a view to taking the plums if China should go to pieces, On the Other hand, if they should succeed in stabilising China and leading' her to economic . and political rehabilitation, they may utilise her to prevent the hegemony. of Japan in Eastern Asia. This is why Japan Has recently warned the Western world that China must not be assisted to such an, extent or in such a manner which would strengthen her' ambition to resist Japan in any way, since Japan intends to control Far Eastern affairs. AH changes in the Far East will be determined and guided by Japan alone. Japan's conception of a Monroe Doctrine for Eastern Asia is that she not only has the right to prevent the interference of any Western nation in Oriental affairs, but that she has the right to interfere irii Far Eastern affairs at any time if her national interests so decide. If Britain and .America desire to keep Japan second to them on the sea, they will also try to keep her second to them in the Far East, and in this they will bo disappointed. If China needs further tutelage or assistance Japan is prepared to act in that capacity. For America and Britain to insist on taking a share in determining the future'of China, is quite as absurd as for Japan to insist on directing the policy of Mexico or Egypt. ! PROBLEM OF THE SOVIET. To control both China and Russia in her own interests, Japan must retain control of Manchuria as a buffer State between herself and them. Since Western nations, as represented at Geneva, appear te be opposed to Japan's

'hegemony of the Far East, and. even to her interference in Chinese affairs when they menace Japan's 'safety/Japan is building up a great army and navy equal to any in the world, in order to maintain.her policy and position in'the Far East by force if necessary. She hopes that this perfection and strength of armaments will discourage'all interference with her Far Eastern policy. So long as Europe, and America seem wholly occupied with their own economic and armamental disputes, Japan feels she may safely go ahead and consolidate her position in China and the Far East. ...

Owing to apprehensions as to what may bo sprung upon her at the approaching international conference next year, Japan is sounding Western opinion in various ways, an example ', of which, was the recent semi-official declaration to Western nations on "handsoff" China. It is most desirable that Britain and America should acquiesce in Japan 'a development towards a protectorate over China. - This was im-plied-in the notorious 21 demands presented to China in 1915, some of which were subsequently postponed, but not abandoned. But China is still holding out against Japanese intimidation in hopes that Western nations will not violate the League of Nations' resolution against Japan, and see that she gets justice. This trust in such a broken reed as the League, and in British and American talk, by China rankles in the heart of Japanese leaders, tempting the Tokio General Staff to go on showing China that Britain and America are too scared of Japan to check her policy, towards China.

On the other hand, Japan has to keep in. mind that the English-speaking nations will not endure any challenge to their honour; if they sign a treaty they will stand by it and defend it* at all hazards. 'This renders the entire situation increasingly delicate, and difficult to hide by exchange of compliments. .