New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-12
JAPAN COULD WHIP THIS COUNTRY
so IL HUNG CHANG sAYs-GREAT RESPECT
FOR HIS OLD ENEMY.


William Eleroy Curtis In The Chicago Record.
Ii Hung Chang asked me when left the United
States and where had been. and when he learned
| was just from Japan. he began series OF ques-
lion concerning affairs IN that country which in.
dcated that he eager for information about
his recent antagonists and especially concerning
II pleased His EXcelency TO make some rather
sarcastic comments upon the foreign policy OF the
present Administration in the United States, ana
TO express his personal dislike for President tleve
land and the late Secretary Gresham he ih5is.eu
that they were both enemies Of China, and, Tor
some reason. OF himself lie supposed perhaps
TO his warm friendship for General Grant and Mr.
Foster. and when endeavored TO disanHHse ms
mind OF such an idea ana 10 assure MN mn ur
attitude OF our Government during the recent war
between China and Japan was in pursuance or
policy that had been inausurated by ,Ieotge ASH
ington and commended and practised by our
vlsest statesmen and patriots. ne shook MS hedu
rraveIv and reiterated his belief that President
Cleveland was his personal enemy ana ina i,n
the Chinese GoVerhHisht dS ~, a. a., ~ ND ne
ton OF the people of the niteh sta,es a ,r .e
sion In the United States was thar Judge Gresham
sympathes had been WITH Cnn ,b ana as ann csd
the incident of the Japanese students wnom ne
had surrendered to the Gninese anen ' t, an
his Proposition and he discussed the attitude OF
the United States during the recent var VIII $50
~ I-nited states would have interviewed in behalf
me ,iug the late war but for the fact that
We YER afraid OF Japan.
He made this remark 50 often that became
rrated and asked him II ne Wa serious OF n mel
y sIoAe IN he sincerely believed President Cleve-
,, ,oi;ev concerning Hawaiian annexation and
his attitude toward Japan was due to fear lest
he Japanese Government might declare war
against the United States told MN the s9g e.
entered the Presidents mind, and DID not think
that any single person OF the o, spVo that max IKE
Of a fear OF Japan or any other OF the Asiatic
nations $500, ..o,,. ,,,,,,s .ra vary. nm
r,ise ne responded III they are not thinking OF
such things particularly since the events that have
occurred in china during the last year The Japan
like people They like 10 fight and they are proud
and arrogant. They do not care for the United
S. except az market for their silk and tea.
and II YOUR Government ever interferes with their
p"i vii md that their friendship is only pre-
tence that they keep up 70 ehcoutLss you, u"us'
II President cleveland had responded 10 my APP
neal for Intervention during the late war. Japan
would have sent her army and her ships from our
possession OF your Pacific states President CleVe-
la knex that because he l. far-sighted man,
and therefore would not show himself the friend
~ either japan or China
tried 10 explain 10 Ii the traditional policy OF
,be United States in foreign affairs and quoted for
his benefit George Washingtons warning against
entangIing alliances. told him that the United
states was afraid OF Nation on earth. and was
willing at any time 10 hght japan or hhelahn ..
germany or any other OF the great Powers. II It
were necessary to defend our honor or our dignity.
Rut our people did not believe IN war. the puhnc
sentiment OF the United states was IN FAVOR or the
settlement OF international disputes by arbitration
and that always endeavored to mind our own
business When "A friendly Nation called upon us
for assistance. when two friendly nations got
into a controversy. usually offered our good
offices TO arrange A reconca,i ion, but the people
would not approve OF armed interference IN foreign
fairs President Cleveland had offered to act
Am arbitrator In the settlement OF the differences
between china and Japan but he would not take
sides with either Nation. not from fear or Japan.
but because It would be violation OF the tradi-
lions and the policy Of the United States Govern
ment.
The Viceroy sneered in a contemptuous manner.
and said Japan has n army OF over go on SOL
d.-s and the best guns In the world. She has
larger and better feet OF warshps than the United
States She has ten times AS many torpedo-boats
A. YOUR Government. and her sailors know how TO
uss them while your sailors do not You have only
i've ships on the Pacific Coast. with coast line Of
3pn miles to protect. and several populous and
wealthy cities that have no defences whatever.
You have no forts al San Francisco that could keep
out the weakest gunboat Of Japan. and single
shin OF the japanese navy could destroy every city
on puget Sound without the slightest ain Guilty In
week I have studied the map and nave talked
Win people from yori country. ana know all
about n II would take you six months 10 get any
kind Of a fleet around 10 protect your Pachc Coast,
and YOU could not load them with coal enough TO
kesp their fires going during the voyage from New
York 10 San Francisco. Your whole Pacific Coast