The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-06-27
ONE OFTHE VII RESULTS OF JINGO

II the news sent out from Washington
s. TO be credited. Japan's protest against
the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands
by this country is much more than a
protest. II is an ultimatum and notice TO
the United States that the annexation
cannot be made until Japan has been
coerced by war into asserting to it.
Neither Congress nor the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee of the Senate will allow
the protest TO be published, but these
things always leak out. and this IS the
form In which 1t is now stated to the
public.
This country has had the friendliest
relations with Japan ever since she open
ed her doors for the entry Of foreigners
within her dominions. and there would
be universal regret in the United States
if anything should occur that would in
terrupt the amicable relations between
the two countries. But 1t is useless TO
attempt TO disguise the fact that, If ia
pan has really taken a position of this
sort. the annexation party will be pro-
digiously strengthened here. If the sub
Sect were left free from all influences
calculated TO arouse the passions Of the
people. we think IL very likely that by
next winter. which is the earliest period
when the treaty can probably be acted
on. the common sense of the people would
manifest itself so Enthusiastically against
annexation that the Senate would most
likely refuse TO ratify II. But the country
will not relish the idea that annexation
is dropped. because Japan threatens TO
discipline us II We persevere in the
scheme Of annexing the islands If this
has actually been done the subject will
inevitably drift, away from the moorings
OF its merits and will be discussed from
the standpoint Of whether or not we can
permit Japan TO bully us. When it passes
into that stage. rational discussion OF 1t
Will at once cease. and passion Will as
sumo entire control
II seems positively ~farcical that
Japan should have made a threat
OF this sort against this coun-
try. But her people are proud
and high spirited. and, in the main. very
with China. a Power ten times as great
apparently. as she is. has given her an
exaggerated idea OF her own resources.
and she. no doubt. thinks that she would
bc more than a match for us IL an issua
were made between us.
Nevertheless. int .lligent and well-fn-
formed men would look upon such a
contest as simply ridiculous. The Japa-
nese would no doubt fight the ships that
they have with great gallan.rv, but we
could already far oveenatch her in ships,
and We would. OF course. begin 10 build
an In tefnite increase OF them II we were
at war with Ter Where she could buii1
ore more we could build a hundred. ana
Il would. therefore. be but a short time
before the war wouli assume tho pcopo--
fions OF a strIsgle between a baby AMI
a giant. Nevertheless. we do not Ike
considering the subject from This stand
point Japan has been our very sin ;ere
friend in the past. We like her. and we
do not want our friendly relations with
her broken up. This Is the hrst outcome
Of the evils Of Jinsoism. II we allow II
TO control US In our foreign policy there
is no end to tho further complications
that Il will involve W. IA.
1hs effect shich . position Of this sess