The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-04
A Profitable Mich Cow for Spain
Even if Very Poorly Fed.
NATIVES WELCOME A CHANGE
But Under the Monroe Doctrine Can
the United States Afford TO Take
the Islands?-Japan Has an Eye
on Thcm-Ehect of the War.

states and Spain are scarcely comment
ed upon in the japanese press. The
Eng sh papers in the treaty ports can
not afford to maintain any telegraph
service at ALL The Japan Mail and
| Tokyo Times do receive some OF Reuter- s
kilograms but naturally enough, con-
fine themselves 70 what IS OF Immediate
interest 20 the far east. We were
however. Informed Of the Names tragic
| end by cable but not hint was given
| as % che cause. since tAat time stray
cable has been published. Your read
crs day los day informed Of events as
! they transplre in every part Of the civ
Iizad world may be interested IN know
ing the meaFer information set before
the American citizen In this far away
country. Here are two kilograms from
Reuter- recently published IN a local pa
per: ...,
"Spain has made friendly representa-
tons 10 Washington. stating tnat war
considering the circumstances, Would ne
a crime against humanity Meanwhhe
preparations in the United States con-
tinue."
What an immense amount NJ informa-
ton is condensed I'm those three lines.
week afterwards we are treated 90
another homeopathic dose:
irrespective Of the Maine disaster
There is strong feeling growing IN
washington i'm favor of American inter
vontiou I'm cuba" And that Is all OF
course. when the American mail came
I'm we obtained better Information. Inc
exchanges arc used literally and IN MS
tory making days the editors MAKE
fair display Of the use of scissors ana
I'm this manner we are brought mp 10 lne
date Of the steamers sailing. but slI't'
Il
Francisco 10 Yokohama, We are always
from two To three weeks behind ana az
American patriotism is as strong mere
as across the Pacific. the anxiety is al
most inconceIvahle. ....,
FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES
There is naturally much quiet specula-
tiou as TO the effect upon the Far East
Of the war between the United STATES
and Spain As TO the international ques-
lions and the attitude Of Japan IN sucn
an ov,ntualitv. all doubt may be ldld az
rcst THE Tokyo Government considers
itsolf one Of the great Powers. IL VIII
watch and keep Informed Of what the
CROFT E,uroDeau nations decide, and act
ir conformity with their DEGREES n
! 49,. se~fous question is that concerning
| fbe Philippine Islands As In Cuoa' mis-
,,overuuent has been rampant here. Inc
/ naforitlv of the population mas peeu
/ kent ina gross Ignorance: illiteracy pre-
wallis and am intelligent reply as 10
what they desire. could not he obtained.
II he mo exaqgerati0n 70 state that not
per cent. Of the gross population mas
even tho faintcst idea OF any sorl OF
government except as Iepl e9'i''-" i'' ''''
word taxes
The question then is: VIII the United
/ states i'm the event OF war. take pos
| session Of thu Philippine Islands 1T
y-9r means crlppliug Of the enemy re-
sources common sense would not ohly
warrant. 70 would demand such acuv"'
/ and the Philippine Islands are most ue-
cidpdlv n prize worth having they nave
been a fot milk cow for Spain and. now
ever poorly fed. however abused the co"
| has not run dry. Except by the teW
native Spauiards who lord II with lrue
C.stiIfan hauehtiuess over the natives
er,. change Of masters Wolld % Wei
coined. but what Of tho United States
and fba Monroe docriue2 The Americans
| here. and I may add the foreigners or
every nationality. would Weicoue INC
annexation Of those rich Islands 10y lHe
| United states. But how To bring su'h
/ annexation iu conformity with me Mon
ro. doctrine viii puzzle wiser heads man
! mime What them Return the d dndS
I =, srain2 Eut that would be a distinct
Confession that the cause Of the war
| had been a preteXt. that Spanish mis-
| rul, is no misrule unless 10 happens 100
our immediate proximity. Sell the ISLANDS
! to some other nation? Every principle
NJ the republic would revolt at the bare
thought
And If We keep the islands. for there
is no question that n the United States
v,arts them Span is absolutely power
less to prevent their being taken. what
/ them The japanese language has no
words ike those with which we relieve
/ ourselves when We are mad. But /
fancy that the Japanese statesmen would
find ample use for such cuss words lr
/ their own designs upon the Philippine
] Islands were frustrated by great Pow
| or like the United states taking posses
sion Of them. ] DO not mean 20 Imply
! that Japan has lately considered any
! active steps toward their acquisition;
| what do mean is that the question has
! been discussed In the papers during ana
! Immediately after the war with emma.
! and that there has been a quiet belef
] that an opportunity would offer 10 euect
am occupation. Japan is too soroy
| threatened TO offer any serious opposi-
/ tiou. and her finances are not in such 70
condition that she could afford 10 pur-
| chase them Resides. / do not believe
| that tho Triple Alliancc- Russia, France
:
! Rut Spain is hard mp. and, unless inc
! Dous are 80 grossly ignorant as 10 think
| that they can cope with healthy. VIZ
| orous nation. of over seventy millions
| thew may save something out OF a GER
| tain wreck by selling the philippines
| ANTI-FORElGN FEELING.
| am clad 10 give credit to the japanese
,ress for IFS earnest endeavors 10 stamp
oct the prevailing anti-forelsn feeling
! and sincerely wish that could also con-.
| mend the governments EFFORTS IN tha1 On
| rection. [ understand or think I under
stand the difficulties besetting It. Japan
with AN its bona fide belief IN the divln-
| itv Of the Emeporor. has never been
| really autocratic country. Public opin-
| ion has always had a powerful influence
! in the direction Of affairs. Since Okubo s
| death. twenty years ago. the leaders OF
nublic opinion have been asslduous In dis
| seminating the hatred OF all foreigners
! among the lowest orders OF society, es-
| pecially among the coolie element, ana
| they cannot undo in year what they
| have been implantins IN a whoie genera
| tiou The most influential native paper,
| the Ju Shlmpo. has devoted several
! tbourhtful editorials upon this subject. A
| .vnopsis will be read with interest be-
| cause Il interprets the sentiment or the
| bettar classes. while at the same time
| Americans az home appreciate the real
feeling OF the Japanese masses toward
their fellow-citizens. IL Is taken from
paper famous for its conservatism and
| for the patriotism OF its owner and editor
Fukuzawa. The Jill says that tho Japa'
nese anti-forelgn spirit was born neither
to-day nor yesterday. but has been In ex-
, istence since the pre-restoration days
| National sentiment was then all IN favor
| Of the absolute expulsion OF foreigners
- -. lr.,n..a bur the NarN- .nIII