St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-03-22
Japan and the Philippines.

Congressman ]. A. T. Hull, chairman OF
the military affairs committee, has
stirred up a tempest in the teapot by his
suggestion that the United States needed
a big navy to save the Philippines from
coming into Iapan's hands after the war
with Russia is over. This is not new
idea, but japanese people have got to
live somewhere besides on their over
crowded islands and it stands to reason
that they would prefer the Philippines
and Korea, or even Mancburia, to life
in the Hawaiian islands or on the Pacihc
coast. The Japanese and Chinese to-
gether make over one-third OF the popula-
ton of our first Pacific possession, the
Hawaiian islands, and there are thou
sands Of the yellow race in the Philippines.
When Admiral Dewey took the Phil
ippines and hardly knew what to do
with them, it was known at the time
that Germany's warships tried to scrap
with ours with the hope of licking
Admiral Dewey's fleet and then Selling
the islands. Japan was more courteous,
but like the fox after the cheese stood
ready to take them if the prize really fell
into her lap. But we kept the Philippines,
and though the federal party there and
the anti-imperialists here, continue to
talk about an independent government
with tie same relation to the United
States as Cuba. we believe it will be at
least several generations before this
happens.
If after the cruel war In Manchuria is
over Japan should form an offensive and
defensive alliance with the great empire
of China, then the European countries
who have helped themselves to some Of
China's territory had better watch out"
as they may be firmly but politely invited
to get ont. The nationalist party in the
Philippines are using this as an argument
and want an alliance with Japan to be
followed by complete independence.
But the Japanese minister has been so
quick to reply to Congressman Hull that
some OF the army and navy experts think
he is trying to throw dust in our eyes
and at the same time to be in sympathy
with the movement to secure the Phil.
ippines. His interview, which is his
statement to the American people, is as
follows:
II cannot see upon what grounds the
apprehension that the Japanese will de.
descend upon the Philippines after the
conclusion Of the war. is based. Mr..
Hull must think that Japan is drunk
with success, and is determined to grasp
everything in sight. Just now Japan is
engaged in liie.and death struggle for
existence in Manchuria. She will make
every sacrifice of life and treasure to car
~ out that end, but she is not intent up
on gaining the possessions of the United
States in the Philippines. The posses
sion Of the islands by this country is ben
United States has given an object lessor
to the Orient OF more efficient civlza
ton. We are trying to do our best t
teach the Koreans, as well as the Chinese
and we are aided by what has been don
by the United States in proving the benz
fits OF the principle OF progress | am SUI
priced to see such statement given on
by an enlightened representative in Cor
gress.
THE opinion regarding the relation
which Japan should maintain with tt
Philippines is very simple-that the
should be good neighbors, whose con
merce will steadily develop, and who,
social and political conditions will
progressive and peaceful. Japan hs
never had any intention oftaking adva
tage OF her neighbors, or 70 seek for te
rtorIal ACKNOWLEDGMENT, but the since
desire OF her government is to have G
neighboring countries realize that m
tual interests can best be promoted
the maintenance OF peace and t
strengthening OF the tie of inter-depen
ence. ! do not mean by this that a ra
coalition should be formed hostile to t
interests of other countries, such as b
DNNh lhG AlJlNoolOu W JChO
peril. Japan wishes other nations to
peaceful and prosperous, so that she mi
be also"
Secretary Taft soon starts for the
lands, with party OF 80 or more CO
gressmen, not to help the Filipinos ga
their independence, as some have st
gested, but to establish tree trade
tween the islands and the United Stat
and to bring the Congressman in clo'
touch with colonial affairs. A ba
headed New York capitalist, who W
about to invest in Philippine bonds,
just written Secretary Taft as to
rumor of our losing the islands and I
secretary has replied that our stay is
be indefinite.
Kipling's advice to his own COVE
ment as to their policy in their new