The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-04
THE POWER
Of JAPAN
INCREASING
One Hundred Thousand Men
Could Be Landed in
Hawaii.
OPINION OF EX-MINISTER dun.
The Japanese Do Not Desire
a Conflict With the United
States.
INDEMNITY DUE FROM HAWAII.
Annexation of the Islands Would Not
INDEMNITY DUE FROM HAWAII.
Annexation of the Islands Would Not
Be Forcibly Resisted by England
or Japan.

Edwin Dun, ex-United States Minister
TO Japan, arrived from the Orient on the
steamer Belgic yesterday. Mr.. Dun is en-
route to his home in Ohio, accom- panied
by his daughter. He has lived in Japan
nearly all the time since 1874, and many
wears have been passed in the diplomatic
service. He was secretary OF the Amerl-
can legation in Japan when John f.
Swift was United States Minister to that
country and also filed the same position
when Frank L. Coombs was Minister.
Mr.. Coombs and Mr.. Dun had a pleasant
interview Yesterday at the Palace Hotel,
where the latter is stopping.
On the voyage from Yokohama to this
port Mr.. Dun tarried several hours at
Honolulu, and had a pleasant visit with
United States Minister Harold Sewall.
In conversation with CALL reporter at
the Palace Hotel last evening, Mr.. Dun
spoke of affairs in the Orient, and dwelt
at some length on the de velopment o
Japan and the decay of China. In his
judgment the career of China as one OF
the nations OF the world is practically
closed, yet he omprehends that the
Chinese are great people in many re-
STA is powerful in the Orient, and that it
is only a question of time when Russia
will occupy Northern China and hold the
country as she pleases.
Speaking Of Japan, Mr.. Dun said: 1.-THE
Japanese have dismissed the idea of eI-
tending their dominion to the mainland,
and the whole thought is the develop
ment OF home resources. The strength of
Russia IS recognized, and while Japan
may not be pleased with the ldea of Rus
sian advancement in Korea and the con-
cessions which Russia has obtained in
China, the policy OF Japan is one of non-
interference. The Russian empire has
already obtained from China the right to
construct n railroad across Chinese terri
tory to a point on the Gulf of Pechiii,
where open-water facilities may be had.
A second concession for a line still further
south has been granted, and branches
from the main line OF the trans-Siberian
road will be constructed to the ocean
terminals on Chinese territory. The
policy of Russia is fixed and unchange-
able. Her plans are foreshadowed and
she can wait if necessary. She can wait a
year or fifty years, but the plan of extern
zion undergoes no change. The policy of
Russia is understood in the Orient, and
there is no power strong enough to resistlt.
Japan is building strong navy" said
Mr.. Dun. the strength of her navy in
every thing that represents the best of
modern equipment and armament is re-
markabe. She is letting the best of m cd
ern warships, and many of them. She
now has larger force OF men trained for
the naval service than the United States
can muster. The idea that men must be
educated to handle the new ships is fully
appreciated. The best and brightest
young men of the country are being
taught for this duty, and the training is
first class in every way.
81 cannot imagine any complication
over Hawaiian affairs possible that could
EN- broil the United States and Japan in
serious trouble. The policy of the Japa-
nese Government is one of friendship for
the United States. 1t is in line with the
Japan ese policy OF national development
The opposition to the administration is
quite as strong in that country as in the
United States, and it is from the opposi-
ton that the sentiment Of hostility 10 this
country eman6tes. The purpose is to cud-
gel the administration into doing some
thing that it has resolved not to do. The
ruling authorities in Japan have no
thought OF provoking a war with the
United States, and 1t is a mistake to fancy
that the people of Japan desire a war with
this country. The enemies of the present
administration may be seeking to stir up
strife, but that does not influence the peo-
pie.
Japan is sufficiently powerful" said
Mr.. Dun, ITO land 100, 900 men in Hawaii,
and could perhaps hold the islands against
all force that could be brought to bear
within six months, but The Government
fully comprehends the resources ana
power of the United States. Japan knows
that the islands could not be held against
the force which this country could intro
duce. l am sure that Japan would offer
no armed resistance to the annexation of
Hawaii. She does not want the islands
herself, as her policy is opposed TO the
acquisition OF foreign territory In my
judgment Japan has Just claims for in
demnity against the Hawaiian Govern
ment for the refusal of the Hawaiian
authorities to observe the conditions of
contract regarding the admission OF
Japanese Iaborers. If that question has
been submitted to arbitration it will no
doubt secure an amicable settlement,
~ do not see how England could make
any objection 10 the annexation of the
islands by the United States. | fancy that
she would potinterfere if American troops
should land to establish a protectorate
pending annexation. England's policy is
one of annexat on and acquisition. She
is constantly extending her dominions
and taking whatever she wants. Why the
people OF the United States should be nm
easy lest England should take the islands
is what | cannot understand, as the Eng
lish have a vast extent OF country on this
continent adjacent to our territory, and
are fortifying their possessions l do not
see any particular advantage that the
United States can gain by annexing the
islands. We might establish protectorate
and prevent any other country from as
Stunning control. Ii we annex the islands
we must take the japanese, Portuguese
and Chinese already there. We could not
recognize their labor contracts, as that
would be contrary to our laws. and we
could not prevent these laborers from 60
ing from one part of the country 10 an
other. The laborers who are there now
working for 30 cents day would soon de-
mand 81 day or more and get it. If the