The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-03-18
Much Surprised at Effect
0 HIS Little
Speech.
ATTITUDE OF JAPANESE
Island Empire Will Soon
0ccupy the Center of
the Sage.

LES aJiESEsS, iowa, March 1S.-A re-
cent declaration by Representative a.
/ T. HUI, of tais city. in an interview.
that he fully expected the United
States would have to either sell the
Philippines to Japan or fight war
with the Island Empire of the Orient.
has attracted much attention Repre-
sentative Hull frankly says he did net
dream that his views would cause such
commotion
In the first place. he says, ..ie lid
not occur to ME that I was saving anv-z
thing that would be particularly new TO
people. 1t has been the comuaonest gos-
sip at Washington, and in diplomatic
circles of other capitals, as I know very
well, for months Moreover, IT is the
| most reasonable thing in the world. I
am not trying TO alarm the country; T
am simply stating few facts.
Superior in the Orient.
''The japanese would be superior n,
any other people Of which we know
anything If they should have avoided
all conceit the past year. They have
overthrown the Oriental power and
ruined the prestige of the empire that
they had long been taught to regard as
the most powerful in the world Nat
urally, they suspect that the power Of
other Occidental nations may be as
much sham as was that of Russia.
The lingo spirit grows rapidly enough
under stress OF excitement IN any. coun-
try; small wonder if little Japan. sud-
denly expanding into a conception of
herself as the greatest military power
OF the world. should be a little afflicted.
With Japan ruler OF Miinchuria.
Russia driven back from the Pacific, and
Tokyo the dominating influence at Pc
kin. it is easy enough 10 foresee that
Japanese commercial expansion viii aim
to control, as far as possible, the de-
velopment Of the new order of things IN
the East. There will be no conflicts OF
interest between Japan and Western ma
tions- The United States, owning the
Philippines, will have far the greatest
interest in Asia Of any nation except
Great Britain. Our islands have long
been viewed with cupidity by japan.
which needs their lands, their labor.
their wealth, their business opportunity.
In Formosa they have achieved a won
derful colonial success. Why not in the
Philippines?
Near Center Of Stage.
Japan is certain to be close to the
center Of the worlds stage for some de-
cades to come. She has proved her
quality. 1t viii not be easy for any ma
tion TO maintain in the Far East a naval
force large enough TO overawe the
japanese; even Britain would be put TO
the test to do it. Japan need not at
tempt TO maintain arrnaments in other
waters; but other powers are compelled
to keep their Atlantic, Mediterranean
and ether squadrcns constantly on war
basis Thus Japan has an immense ad-
vantage. She could throw force into
the Philippines SO large that we could
never wrest them from her, before We
could send a transport across the Pa-
cific; and then by the time our trans
port got across she could seize it, uEl-
At Great Disadvantage.
In contest with JaTan we would
be. at q greater disadvantage than Rus
sia is. by far, for Russia has the choice
of land and water routes. while we have
cnIy the water route. The same is true
Of France or Germany; neither OF them
could fight Japan in the East.
When this war is over Japan is going
to exact a heavy indemnity from Rus
sia Whatever it is. it will be used as
was the indemnity taken from China
after the war of 1S94-5-to strengthen the
national military and naval force I
should anticipate that large part
would go especially to the navy, in order
TO assure against any effort Of Il west
ern power to sweep Japan from the sea.
Such q result would be ruin. IF Rus
sa had destroyed the japanese navy as
Japan destroyed the Russian armament,
it could have literally starved Japan
If Napoleon could have controlled the
sea, England would have been at his
mercy. The sea was the strength and
also the weakness of England: and SO
is the sea to Japan. Therefore Japan
will strengthen herself by sea Having
England an ally. she viii be able TO
plan her naval program with reference
guess that ten years from now none
will dare attack Japan in her own wat
ers.
Not Unduly Aggressive.
Il am not assuming that Japan is go
ing to be unduly aggressive. belhgerent.
or beIlicose. She is going TO realize her
position and her opportunity; and shs
will have considerable increase in feel
ing of interna>s snaI Importance. as what
nation would not under like circum-
stances?
THE policy of the United States will
be to maintain friendly relations with
japan, and to maintain a strong navy.
We should go ahead with our naval
building program; every Congress should
add at least one battIeship. The IIa-
waiian Islands should be pow erfuIiy for
titled for no hostile armament can cross
the Pacific, attack our shores. and re-
control ne possible coalinS stations We
must effectively protect orr Pacific
coast