JAPAN'S MESSAGE.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15319, 21 August 1923, Page 2

JAPAN'S MESSAGE.

CUOSER CO-OPERATION

"A PEACEFUL NATION."

WANTS EQUAL TREATMENT.

"If the medical profession of the world is making a united and organised effort to check or eradicate disease, the common enemy of humanity, why cannot the nations make an international'effort to check or eradicate war, which is equally destructive to the human race?" Dr E. Kanasugi, a member or the House of Peers of Japan, put this question in a statement which he made to a representative of The Sydney Daily Telegraph. The distinguished visitor is a medical practitioner, who completed his training In European universities. He conducts a hospital of his own in Tokio, and is also president of the Toldo Charity Medical College. Problem of the Century.

"For years," he said, "I have cherished a desire to pay a visit to Australia, and, fortunately for mc, the realisation of this desire happens to come when you are holding the second Pan-Pacific Scientific Conference. As one who has for years advocated closer relations between Australia and Japan, I am very happy to have this opportunity to express the of sincere friendship and respect of the Japanese people for the people of Australia. We of Japan desire to cooperate with you for the promotion and maintenance of peace in the Pacific and for the general advancement of civilisation."

"The problem of to-day?" suggested the interviewer.

"Yes," said the doctor, "the problem of the twentieth century. in order to make the Paciilc Ocean true to its name, we need the mutual understanding of the peoples living on its shores, for a 'true understanding fosters a lasting friendship between nations. The Pacific Ocean is so vast lhat no nation however great and powerful, can control it alone. We who are living upon the shores of the Pacific should assume a more generous attitude one toward another, and study the customs, institutions, and ideals of'our fellow-nations. I believe a conference like this will materially help to promote and foster international peace and goodwill.

The Open Door. "Japan has existed as a nation for more than 2D •centuries. Her civilisation had reached a very high state of development at the time of Caesar's invasion of Britain. On the coming of the American fleet led by Commodore Perry'in 18b3 to demand the opening of the country to trade and commerce Japan, threw her doors open to the Western nations. In her desire to assimilate Western civilisation, she has studied Western arts and sciences, adopted the representative form of government, and developed commerce and industry along modern lines. Her policy has been the preservation of the peace of the Orient and of the Pacific Ocean, and the maintenance of the open door and equal opportunity. She seeks no special favours, but she expects equal treatment everywhere in the world. Friendship With England

"For more than 20 years, until very recently, Japan was a loyal ally of England. Her constant and unselfish services to Great Britain and her Dominions during the war -constitute an illustrious record of Japanese conscientiousness. When the Great War was over a cry was raised in certain quarters, against the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Japan agreed to its abrogation, and in its place was born, at the Washington Conference, the Under- . standing of the Four Powers. Thus the Anglo-Japanese Alliance has been superseded by the Four Power Agreement, but still we cherish our ancient friendship for our old ally and her Dominions.

"Not infrequently it has been alleged that Japan is an aggressive, militaristic nation, eager to carry on wars of spoliation. On the contrary, Japan is an essentially, peaceful and peace-loving nation as her history clearly illustrates. She has observed strictly the letter and spirit of the Washington Conference, and has limited her naval armament as therein ordained. She has restored Tsing-tau-to China, and has withdrawn her garrisons and post offices from that country. She has shown generosity and friendship to China, in the hope that China might become strong enough to protect her own independence. But China's internal weakness and unrest are a source of profound anxiety to us. By the united efforts of Great Britain, the United States, and Japan, it is our hope that China may be assisted to restore her internal order. Japan's sole desire is to bring about Arm and lasting- peace and amity in Uie Orient." Trade With Australia.

"Along what lines does Japan's destiny lie?" —"Nature has not been so generous to Japan as to Australia. Japan's total area is about one fifteenth that of Australia, and yet her population is nearly twelve times as great as that of the latter. Japan's destiny lies along industrial lines, and hence she is striving to become an industrial nation. In recent years we have imported from Australia a large amount of raw materials and foodstuffs, and our trade with Australia has been increasing rapidly. In 1922 the imports to Japan from Australia amounted to the value of Y. 52,597,000 (roughly £5,250,000), -whereas the exports to Australia amounted to only Y. 17,220,000 (about £1,750,000, or about one-third of our imports."