The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-13
JAPANESE VANITY.
Members OF Parliament Think Their
Army and Navy Invincfble.
New York Press.

New York Press.
Two distinct ideas are to be reckoned
with when one is considering the possible
tiles OF war between Japan and the United
States. When the Marquis Ito was in New
York recently he declared in the most posi-
tive terms that Japan had no desire to
annex the Hawaiian islands and that moth
ing could be further from the intention OF
the government of his country than to
have trouble with the United States Such
thing as Japan going to war with Amer
Tea. he saie. was too preposterous 10 be
Marquis Ito's ideas are those of all high
government officials in Japan. These men
have much political experience; they have
been trained. many of them, for quarter
OF century in European and Asiatic
diplomacy. They are familiar with public
affairs the world over and know Well what
should be the policy of their country in it's
relations with foreign powers. They know
what Japan can do; they understand that
there are many things she cannot do, and
they know why. The conquest of China has
not turned their heads. They knew they
would win before they went TO war, for
they We're we'll informed of Chinas weak
ness and of their own strength. They knew
also that If Russia took hand In the
game seriously affairs would assume ar
ferent aspect, and that diplomacy rather
than force of arms would be Japans re-
course.
This condition of intelligent understands
ing is different from that of the two houses
of Parliament, however. and Parliament,
though not supreme, Is a growing power
in Japan and cannot be ignored. 1t voices
the minds of the people, for it is in great
part made up of men elected by pubic
vote, but as it is not ten years Old 1t mas
had little experience. 1t does not know how
to behave itself and is exceedingly inn
patient of restraint, much so that eff
forts TO put into effect the rules of pro-
cedure such as are used in the pariamentS
of other nations meet with no encourage
ment. The Parliament members who have
the dispositions OF children are carried
away with Japan's success in the war with
China. They believe that their fleet and
their army are invincible. They will not
listen when Cabinet minister appears be-
fore them to ask them to go slowly.
'Yamato damashir they cry-"We are
the people" AS one of them contided to an
American not long ago. Il hope that Eng
land, France Germany and Russia do not
interfere with Japan's policy regarding
China, for l should gveatly regret the fact
If Japan were obliged TO declare war and
obhterate England, France, Germany and
Russia"
That is the mind of a large number of
the members of the Japanese Diet. 1t is as
different well may be from the ideas
of the members of the Cabinet of the Privy
Council and of the Mikado. but it must be
Teckoned with when trying to determine
the probable action Japan will take on the
Hawaiian question. America is better liked
in Japan than any other country, and with
good reason; but should Parliament get an
idea that America was meddling with her
dignity (Which is in truth vanity, the whole
country would splutter and the spluttering
would have to be attended to.