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themselves were naturally enthusiastic over the prospect of independence— until withdrawal of American protection appeared to expose the Philippines to Japanese domination.
Hawaii
Hawaii presents an almost similar problem, except that Hawaii seeks statehood rather than independence. The Pacific coast. likes to look upon Hawaii as an outpost in the Pacific, while inland and Atlantic coast Americans would just as lief let Hawaii go free — since such freedom would measurably shorten the American line of defence. Hawaiian sugar interests have made many attempts to convince continental Americans that the little, but wealthy territory, is an integral part of the United States,
Alaska
In still another field, that of the Alaskan fisheries, American and Japanese interests have clashed. American fishermen complain that the Japanese offer unfair competition and
threaten t " clean out " schools of profitable fish in the northern latitudes. It is also charged that the Japanese fishermen are in the pay of their own Government, and much of their fishing trips come under the head of naval espionage.
South America
Americans are also worried about Japanese trade penetration in Central and South America, and in Mexico. Japan enjoys good relations with El Salvador, enjoys fishing privileges off the Mexican coast, and does considerable trading in other Latin-American countries. Japanese nationals are found plentifully scattered around strategic places, such as the Panama Canal Zone, where their activities have often given rise to spy scares.
At this date it seems that Japan olds the upper hand in its relations with. the United States, and will play the rile of active agent against Uncle Sam's passive and protesting reaistanre.
All developments since the first Japanese invasion of china indicate that the United States is slated for a retreat from the Asiatic scene, so far as any moral influence goes, and certainly in the matter of Japanese trade.