New-York tribune., 1906-10-26
"J4P4N II BAD ENEMY. "
". d. FOuIke Thinks Present Agi-
tation AGAINST Her Fatuous.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau.l

Washington, Oct. 25.-W D. Foulke, formerly
a member of the Civil Service Commission, has
returned here AFTER an absence of some months.
having spent considerable time abroad. Mr..
Foulke has given special attention to rela-
tions with the Far East. and has viewed with
regret the irritation that has been shown in
Japan over the exclusion of Japanese children
from the public schools in San Francisco.
Speaking of this to-day, Mr.. FouIke said:
The fatuous course of the newspapers and
agitators who trying to stir up a feeling
against the Japanese is perfectly Incompetent
stble to me. During and since the Russian war
the sympathy of our people for Japan and their
admiration for the nation that accomplished
such wonders were spontaneous and unbounded,
and the great mass OF Americans to-day have
an affection for the Japanese such they feel
for very few who are not of our own flesh and
blood.
ship between Japan and America is ungenerous
and unpatriotic, and it becomes not only absurd
but dangerous when one considers the present
position of the two countries in respect TO the
Far East and TO the future commerce of the
Pacific, in regard TO which we entertain such
fattering hopes
For. strange as it may seem. Japan Is to-day
the only nation in the world which, enc
my, would be really formidable 10 US on the sea.
England will not assai us, for in addition to the
close ties Of blood. friendship and commerce,
there is Canada. No other European power
could successfully meet us. for the fight would
be in our waters, where they have foot
hold. But with Japan the is different.
There is doubt that the possession of the
Philippines, the Sandwich Islands and the Seal
Islands would be of great value to Japan. and
their conquest would destroy many of our hopes
in the Pacific.
Now with a divided navy and the immense
distances to be traversed and the paucity of
coaling and naval facilities, how could de-
fend them against the united navy of Japan
fighting in its waters?
If the japanese should be provoked to a war
il would come suddenly, like the with
Russia, and with us, too, there might be the
same rude awakening.
II is true that after a struggle of years we
might build and launch armaments and
finally wear them out, but at what dreadful
cost would all this be done. and nothing would
little common sense and friendly behavior right
at the present time.
1t is likely that Japan would wantonly
provoke a conflict out OF a clear sky. That
would outrage the world. and her ally England,
would undoubtedly discourage 1t, nOtwithstand-
ing the temporary advantage which English COM
merCe might gain from an American war. Yet a
very little spark Is all that is necessary TO fur
nish a reason which might make Japanese pub
lie sentiment in favor of such irresistible
to the government, and which might justify such
a in the eyes of the rest of mankind.
It is our business to that such pretext
is furnished, and that the rights. as we'll as the
feelings, of the japanese are respected TO the
uttermost.
Rumor has it that in spite of the great drain
upon Japanese resources during the last war
both the army and navy of Japan have been re-
Gently increased. However uncertain the object
of this increase of armament, there can be no
doubt what course It wOrld take If public feel
perated. Our own course in this matter as we'll
as in all others affecting relations with for
eign powers. is always to be ready for a con-
fiict but never to provoke it.