JAPANESE WAR CLOUD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15307, 21 May 1913, Page 7

JAPANESE WAR CLOUD.

■ ■■' V.-.'" : ' "i- ■'.'■''" r '," " • ■»• "T,",,'-.,"A-': ■?•:»? ~'\?B': DISPUTE .WITH AMERICA. INQUIRY FOR WAR RATES, CALIFORNIA'S.ANTI-ALIEN ACT HOW GREAT BRITAIN MAY. BE AFFECTED. • . NEW ZEALAND' N POSITION. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— -Copyright. (Received May 20. 11-30 p.m.) v London, May } 20. - There are some inquiries for war insurance rates in connection with -the dispute between-America and Japan in regard to the Californian ; AntiAlien Act. ,; ' 1 "' The rates quoted vary from 5s to 20s. .'.'-/. ■ .' •*: The Pall Mall Gazette, in referring to the new Californian -, Act, says that the cloud in the Pacific is no bigger than a ' man's hand, . but it is perilous to cherish the belief that Japan has no chance of victory should - matters come to the decision of the sword.-. The United States would be the champion of the white man in the eyes of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, while Britain was bound to Japan. . : ';. "" ..'/' ' • ' ;■■; British Interests. > . The paper goes on to say that if the Japanese asserted their claim successfully. the Empire might be confronted with the same difficulty as that now presented to the United States. Australia would undoubtedly reject a Japanese claim to settle in the Northern territory. Sir Valentine Chirol, director of the ' Foreign Department of ; ; the Times, in an article on the subject, says that the quarrel between America and Japan threatens to force to a definite issue Japan's claim to equal treatment with the other Powers of the world. Critical Question Raised. ■:''■_ Thus, he says, a question is raised which diplomacy has hitherto been at pains to elude by skilful compromises. This is dangerous at the present time because the centre of Japan's political stability is shifting rapidly from a c small group of experienced statesmen hitherto controlling the national forces. : . Sir Valentine argues that the colour bar cannot logically be pleaded by a couhtry which waged war to confer equal citizenship upon American negroes. He adds that Japan has already shaken the coloured races' acquiescence in the white man's claim to pre-eminence and dominion. ' ' —————————- * ACT SIGNED BY GOVERNOR. TO •. OPERATE IN .AUGUST, *'■'"""■'■ San Francisco, Mky W~ The Governor of California (Mr. Johnson) has signed the Anti-Alien Act, which is principally directed against the Japanese. , The measure will come into operation, on August 17. V POSITION DISCUSSED. (Received May 20, 10.25 p.m.) ' . Washington, May s 20. The signing of the Californian Anti-Alien Act has been discussed by Mr. Bryan (Secretary of State) and the Japanese Ambassador.