Salt Lake Tribune | 1917-01-28 | Page 6 | Japan and China

JAPAN AND CHINA. The Japanese foreign minister, Mo-touo, Mo-touo, explained the alleged difference between the present cabinet and the former ministry as to the policy of Japan towards China. The statesmen now out of power are accused of causing caus-ing the recent trouble and assurances are given that the men now in control propose to iron out all difficulties, provided, pro-vided, of course, the Chinese do as they axe bid. The plans of both the Japanese cabinets are essentially the same. China is in no position to fight for her rights and the Japanese of all political parties are bent upon plundering their neighbor to the fullest extent while they have the chance. The fear of disintegration expressed by Minister Motono is all fol de rol. Disintegration or dismemberment of China will be brought about from the outside if it occurs at all. If it does come Japan will be the prime mover and one of the chief beneficiaries. Were it not for fear that the powers of Europe would make them disgorge, the Japanese would have been gluttonous glutton-ous in their demands upon China. But tho other countries are interested in the trade of the orient and of course will not allow the Japanese to work their own sweet will and take too much. Even Great Britain, which has been an ally of Japan ever since the Russo-Japanese war, will not stand still while the oriental trade of her manufacturers is being taken away from them, and we sometimes think that the British government has drawn the line beyond which it is dangerous for the Tokio statesmen to go. It is also probable prob-able that the United States has dropped a hint upon the same subject. It is interesting to note tho fact that the Japanese parliament, which was about to vote "no confidence" in the new ministry, was dissolved by the emperor em-peror shortly after Motono 's speech and an autocratic regime has been inaugurated. in-augurated. The new premier, a pronounced pro-nounced militarist, is responsible to no one but the emperor and will doubtless continue the policy of bearing down upon China, the speech of Motono being be-ing intended to pave the way for further fur-ther secret aggression. We have no faith in the promises or explanations of the Japanese ministers and look forward to the time when they are compelled com-pelled to stay their hand.