The Waikato Times With which is incorporated Th« Waikato Argus. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1921. AMERICA AND JAPAN

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14772, 11 October 1921, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated Th« Waikato Argus. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1921. AMERICA AND JAPAN

As the time approaches for the sitting of the American Conference on Disarmament attention is concentrated on the relations between America and Japan. The latest number of the Round Tabic contains a contribution from America which emphasises the interest which this question has for them, and the suspicion with which they followed the discussion at the Imperial Conference on the renewal of the AngloJapanese Alliance. The arguments i brought forward seem to us conclusive, but we have frequently Insisted that the renewal of the Alliance must cause bad feeling in America. The writer points out that when the Alliance was formed there was a danger from Germany which has disappeared. If appreciation of the part played by Japan is to be held a sufficient reason for renewing the Alliance, why should not other alliances be formed amongst the late Allies? Why not an Anglo-French, or an Anglo-American, or even an AmcricoChincsc alliance against the Anglo,Japanese? Then, again, how do these alliances fit in with the League of Nations, which was to supersede alliances formed to maintain the balance of power. America has been scornful of the League of Nations, and it is generally thought that party feeling was the cause; but if leading Powers among the Allies are to form separate alliances they will think that their utmost hostility was justified. At the recent (.Imperial Gonfcrcncc a majority was in favour of renewing the Treaty, although the Canadian Prime Minister was strongly opposed. Since America has shown how deeply she feels on the question a different line will probably be taken when the matter is discussed again in 12 months’ time. If any definite reason could he given for the renewal of Hie Alliance, it should be dune, but hitherto the only argument pul forward is that of sentiment, which is certainly not sufficient.

Therc can lie no question about Hie. intensity of the American feeling on the question of Japan, but in stating their case they certainly do not make the grounds for such feeling clear. One reason is the desire to maintain an open market in China; another is dislike of Japanese settlement. Both arc legitimate causes of discontent, but not reasons for evoking the arbitrament of war. The Japanese settlement in America is almost confined to California; ft amounts, it is said, to about 120,000, which is probably somewhat exaggerated. In 1010 it was 41,350, which was less Ilian 2 per cent, of Ihe population, and less Ilian settlers of German, Irish, English or Italian nationality. The complaint against, the Japanese is that they work long hours and seven days a week; that they save their money and buy market gardens, and are practically absorbing that industry. It is said that they keep to themselves and do not mix with other settlers, which is probably correct. The differences between Asiatics and Americans are sufficient |o prevent much intercourse, As the Californian authorities

have tried to prevent the Japanese 1101(11115 land, and also to bar their

children attending school, it is not strange that relations arc otherwise than cordial. Another complaint against the Japanese is that an agency exists which imports Japanese brides for the men in the country and that the birthrate is very much higher than with the Californians. A statement of the complaints against the Japanese shows that there is no ease at the present lime whiclt calls for an urgent remedy. The Californian authorities allege that the Japanese infringe the agreement to prevent labourers coming to the country. They are only supposed to permit the emigration of travellers or students, but of those who come many remain as labourers. The complaint is probably justified; such agreements or regulations are commonly evaded if any sufficient motive exists. It should be possible at the forthcoming Conference to frame an agreement restricting the number of Japanese emigrants to America to the same number as the American emigration to Japan- There is much to be said against such restrictions, but they arc better than the growth of a feeling which threatens war. The Japanese who are already in the country arc doing no harm. It is even possible that they may give up the pernicious habit of working hard, and if so it would seem that the objections made to their presence would cease.

The preservation of the open market with China is a part of the larger question of setting that country on its feet again. This is a matter of the most urgent importance. It is very doubtful whether Japan will stand upon the fights granted to her by the Versailles Peace Treaty. Our information about her is painfully vague, but it is evident that there is a party which is opposed to the doctrines of force. Hitherto Japan has bScn ruled by the nobles, who are as much disposed to military methods as the most blueblooded European aristocrat. They do not represent the whole opinion of the country’, however, as in addition to those who deprecate force there is a growing commercial element and a very numerous Labour party. Under different names the same conditions, parties, problems and interests are developing in the extreme East as arc to be found in the extreme West. There is the same human nature in the yellow man as in the white man. The question of maintaining the open door in China can probably be satisfactorily arranged. The discovery of a sufficient outlet for the surplus population of Japan will probably give more trouble, although it should be possible U find a home on the Asiatic mainland. The law of population has yet to he formulated. There is a stage in the history of races when the birth-rate diminishes, and at the same time the death-rate commonly shrinks to correspond. That stage has not been reached in Japan. Industrialism which draws people into towns increases the demands, raises the scale of life and leaches fresh wants, which the excessive numbers of labour make it very difficult to obtain. It is in the early stages of industrialism that Japan finds herself to-day, and the uneasiness from which she suffers is the cause of anxiety elsewhere. Time is the greatest remedy; the business of -statesmanship is to find a temporary palliative.