The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-07-02
LAUGHS AT RUMOR
Naval OtiG8T RiiiGIlGS Idea
Of War.
IMPORTANCE OF U. S. NAVY
Is Several Times Larger
Than That of Japan.
IMPORTANCE OF U. S. NAVY
Various Persons Speak of Pros
pects-Anyone May Be
Pleased Here.

japan 60 10 war with the United
States over the Hawaiian question, 50
said naval officer yesterday, after
reading extracts from japanese news
papers. j think motif Japan is wise.
The American Navy has IS armored
vessels. against a dozen OF less of Jap
an She has nearly 40 unarmored yes
sels against p Of Japan, and I believe
America has five times as many men
IN The service.
inexperienced in practice? Yes;
but we have the experience of those of
the officers. now in active service. who
were in the navy during the war of
the rebellion. I admit that japanese
naval men have had more recent ex-
perience. but what would it amount to
If they were piJJed against Anglo-SaX-
OnsG Their fight with China is no cri-
JeTion. The Japanese are progressing.
and in that war they went up against
e lot OF coolies, who ran away directly
they saw an armoTed cruiser coming
toward them. II required little more
aaaa-AA A- 1AAa=--4 Al LIZ hAA44-At Vi q NA4-
nese warship TO capture her. and ! am
quite sure that would not be the case
In war with the United States.
Take the Oregon. for instance, with
her 90 guns and $50 men-more guns.
bv the way. than are on all five arm
u=el ships Of the japanese Navy-do
You think il would be q case of
sIuEEe2 The Oregon has her guns fore
and aft and broadside. She can shoot
IN any direction. if occasion demanded
ID. and she could shoot astern. if she
was getting away from anything
highly improbable condition Of affairs.
however
Il have heard It suggested that
England might be behind Japan in
This affair. but that is as preposterous
as anything I have vet heard Just
think Of The millions Of pounds ster-.
Ing Of British capital invested in the
United States. and think. also. of the
enormous value Of the commercial in
teresrs between the two countries. So
far from England siding with Japan.
the fear which racks the heart Of one
elrerprisinE writer in the Orient is
thai England may interfere with the
japanese rushing in where angels
fear 10 tread
SO far as warlike preparations are
concerned I DO not believe Japan has
any thought Of it. They have a very
high opinion OF their abilities as fight
ers. have no doubt, but Count Okuma.
with his vigorous foreign policy. is
1o- going 10 bring down the wrath of
the powers upon his shoulders. Japan
has TOO much at stake with Russia
for the world knows that should Eng
land take sides with Japan. Russia
would Immediately jump in and help
Ame-ica-if she needed her assistance.
You and every one else can set
aside the idea OF war in Hawaii over
this Troublesome question. To me. II
Is a matter entirely for the diplomats
10 settle and nov that the matter Of
annexation has been revived, and the
Islands are on the verge Of becoming
c pzr- az the Union. the matter viii be
quickly settled. for you will readily
understand that the United States will
hardly take over new territory with a
chance Of having International diff
Cul-ies on her hands"
These views. It must be understood,
are those OF an individual who keeps
in close touch with affairs Of the world.
There are q hundred-perhap a thou
szu6-C-hers who believe that the
1Fa-5posa this morning viii bring news
OF the ratification Of the treaty by the
United States Senate. One Govern
-Hnt Official remarked yesterday that
@rhe Senate would probably take time
To debate On the question. There has
been bur one investigation and report
a-d that was by BlounL OF course, the
Morgan Senate committee investigated
hur not on the ground.
Ny opinion Is that within month
after this extra session Of Congress
closes the greater part OF the Foreign
Relations Committee VIII come here
and investigate. and when their report
Is made 1t the regular session, vote
VIII be taken. That we will be annexed
i as certain as the sun rises in the
East bur hardly think il will be dur
ing this year.