The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-29
WAR WITH JAPAN
WOULD Be COSTLY
TO UNITED STATES

Washington. Oct CIV. ID. 'Foulle.
formerly 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 our rela-
tions with the far east, and has viewed
with regret the irritation that has been
shown I'm Japan over the exclusion of
Japanese children from the public schools
in San Francisco. Speaking Of this yes
terday Mr. Foulke said:
THE fatuous course OF the newspa pers
and agitators, who are trying to stir up
feeling against the japanese, is per-
fectly incomprehensible to me. During
and since the Russian war, the sympathy
OF our people for Japan and their ad-
miration for the nation that accomplished
such wonders were spontaneous and un-
bounded, and the great mass of Ameri-
cans today have an affection for the
Japanese such as they feel for very few
who are not of our own flesh and blood
ITO attempt TO destroy the traditional
friendship between Japan and America is
ungenerous and unpatriotic, and II be-
when one considers the present position
of the two countries I'm respect TO the Far
East, and 10 the future commerce OF the
Pacific, in regard TO which we entertain
such fiatterng hopes.
For, strange as IL may seem, Japan
is to-day the only nation i'm the world
which. as an enemy. would be really for
midable 10 us on the sea. England will
not assail 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 own waters,
where they have no foothold. But with
Japan the case is different. There is no
doubt that the possession OF the Philip
pines. the Sandwich Islands and the Seal
Islands would be OF great value to Japan.
and their conquest would destroy many
of our hopes I'm the Pacific,
Now, with divided navy and the i'm
mense distances 10 be traversed and the
meagerness OF coaling and naval facili
ties, how could we defend them against
the united navy OF Japan fighting in its
own watersY
to war 1t would come suddenly, like
the war with Russia, and with us. too,
there might be the same rude awaken
ing.
"It is true that after a struggle of years
we might build and launch new arma-
ments and finally wear them out. but at
what a dreadful cost would all this be
done. and nothing would be gained by Ii
which is not attainable by little common
sense and friendly behavior right at the
present time.
'It is not likely that Japan would wan
tonly provoke a conflict out OF a clear
sky That would outrage the world and
her ally England. would undoubtedly dis
courage It, notwithstanding the tempor-
ary advantage which English commerce
might gain from an American war.
'Yet a very little spark is all that is
necessary TO furnish a reason which might
make japanese public sentiment I'm favor
OF such a war Irresistible to the govern
ment. and which might Justify such a
war in the eyes of the rest OF mankind.
1T is our business TO see that no such
pretext is furnished and that the rights
as we'll as the feelings OF tho Japanese
are respected TO the uttermost.
"Rumor has il that In spite Of the great
drain upon Japanese resources during the
last war both the army and navy OF
Japan have been recently increased.
However uncertain the object of this in
crease OF armament, there can be no
doubt what course it would take II public
feeling against America should be suffi-
ciently exasperated, Our own course in
this matter as well as in all others af-
fectIng our relations with foreign powers,
is always TO be ready for a conflict, but
never to provoke It,"