University of San Francisco - USF Don Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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20 THE MX AT I AS reborn and intensified by the posit ion which I lie government of Japan has recently assumed relative t the rights ol the Cnited States in the important little island of Yap. Yap—he it known, is one of the Caroline Islands situated some eight or nine hundred Hides from the Philippines. These islands, together with all the other of (ici many's Paci fie possessions north of the equator, were included in the mandate conferred on Japan by the Supreme Council of the League of Nations as her just and rightful portion of the spoils of the war. The only island wherein Japan's exclusive control is odious and in conflict with the recognized rights of the Cnited States is the Isle of Yap. For Yap. small and insignificant as it appears to he. is tin very heart of all cable communication between America and the Far Fast. The arteries of news from two different worlds run through the very heart of this island. Prior to the war, when (iermany controlled the Caroline group, the rights of the Cnited States to the supervision and control of her national cable interests were recognized by all the nations of the world. Now, armed with the mandate of tin League of Nations, Japan denies any right of America in Yap, and firmly contends that, under the terms of the mandate her control is exclusive. The result of Japan's determined stand in the matter has been the launching of numerous official messages from Washington to the various members of tin League Council and to Japan herself. The I'nited States of America, through tin lips of her Secretary of State. Charles Evans Hughes, has voiced its official protest. The tenor of the notes is this: First: Since the rights of Japan in Yap are in conflict with the prior rights of the Cnited States in the same island. Japan can obtain no exclusive control over the said island without the consent of the Government of the Cnited States. Second: At no time in any negotiations has tin Cnited States Government ceded to Japan its rights in the island of Yap. Third: The Supreme Council in granting to Japan a

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18 TUB USA T AS message was distasteful to the Roman because it demanded caution, Caesar was too great, too powerful to stoop to caution. And Caesar—died. In the fake security which the knowledge of his greatness built about him he fell—an easy victim to the schemes of lesser men. As with men—so with nations! What, we wonder—will be the decision of mankind when it looks back on this living. breathing present to determine the wisdom of our general attitude toward Japan today? Will its judgment be. that this great nation in its pride of place, at the pinnacle of its power was guilty of the self-same folly that bared the breast of Caesar to the knives of his assassins? Shall il in the light of future analysis appear to ail the world that the American people, blinded by an egotistic conception of their greatness, rushed headlong and unseeing into the very midst of dangers that were plainly visible to the normal eye of reason? Shall it some day be told how the American eagle was lulled into a fanciful and groundless security by the sweet music of its own laudations, how it was rendered apathetic and indifferent to danger in the consciousness of its power, on the adulations of its inferiors,—it in tin midst of its lazy improvident dreamings was victimized by the danger it was too proud to prepare against.—the practiced—sharpened and murderous talons of an eagle that flew from tin East ? And what cause—what reason is there at the present time for the issuance of such a warning to America? Trouble in the nature of armed conflict, between this nation and Japan has ever been a topic of at least academic interest. Volumes have been written en it by the more eminent strategists of both countries. In the Pacific states however, and particularly in California, the question has been far more than simply one of academic interest. Due to the inactment of such measures as the Alien-land law for the purpose of affording to American citizens their just proportion of protection. feeling has sometimes run high both in Japan and along our own Pacific slope. Today that feeling has been

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THE EAGLE OF THE EAST 21 mandate by reason of the terms of which Japan could have exclusive control over Yap. did so absolutely without the knowledge, consent or authority of the Government of the I'nited States of America. Fourth: The I'nited States Government therefore, in view of the fact that at no time has it ceded its rights in Yap 10 the Government of Japan, and in view of tin fact that the Supreme Council conferred the mandate upon Japan without the consent or authority of the Government of the Cnited States—wishes to assert to all tin world that it still has the same rights in the island of Yap which it had prior to the granting of the League mandate to Japan. That briefly is the declaration of rights by which America has protested to the world the injustice of the Japanese claims. Already France, Italy and Great Britain have evidenced their support of the Cnited States in tin controversy. Japan alone remains silent. What will be her answer when it is finally given to the nations? She has only two courses open to her pursuit. One is an admission of America's rights in Yap, involving as it does the humiliation of a withdrawal from the attitude which she has so determinedly assumed. The other is the answer which in all probability would be most favorable to her arrogant, military caste, the answer which would amount to a plain, blunt announcement to all the world that henceforth the Far Fast and its adjacent side of the Pacific is exclusively the Dominion of the land of the Mikados! Of the two courses the first is more in conformity with the dictates of unimpassioned judgment. The second is more in harmony with the militant spirit of a Prussianized Japan. To choose the first course is a choice unshadowed by the hint of disastrous complications. A selection of the second might embroil Japan in a war with a mighty white coalition. Japan knows all these things. But still-------Japan remains silent. The suggestions of possible conflict with Japan are to some in the light of present events, due to the indulgence