The only point on which one would differ seriously from Viscount Kato's view of what Japan's foreign policy should be is in respect of Shantung. We know of no "treaty rights" there on which the Japanese delegates at Versailles ought to have stood firmly" except those contained in the Twenty-one Demands which every farsighted Japanese should in the best interests of his country press to have cancelled. In other respects Viscount Kato's criticisms of the Japanese militarist policy reveal a broad and liberal spirit which would unquestionably do more for Japan than any amount of mailed fists, and which is certainly endorse ed by increasing numbers of Japanese, particularly business men. But one question must be asked. Supposing Viscount Kato came back to power next week, what chance is there that he would be able to carry out one of the excellent principles he enunciates? we remember rightly he was Minister for Foreign Affairs at the time of the_presenting of the Twenty-one Demands, than which nothing could be more inconsistent with his present professions. We do not by any means suggest that he liked the Demands: a man of his record and ability cannot but have disapproved them through and'through. We merely point to the present flaw in all
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.