The San Francisco call., 1907-02-03
War Hysteria Seems
to Have Passed Over

WASHINGTON, Feb. within thir-
ones have had the country on the verge
of war with Japan. This hysteria has
passed, the Government officials hav-
ing administered a dose of fat denials.
The denials unquestionably were truth
full in a sense and wholly diplomatic
and necessary.
Perhaps it would be better for both
Japan and America If the exact truth
concerning the relations between the
two countries were published. The
war scare of the last two days would
have been no scare at all If there had
been plain speaking by those who
knew things. The facts did not war
rant scare for a moment, but they did
warrant a warning.
Secretary Taft is more anxious this
year than he has been in any year be-
fore to obtain additional appropria-
uons for fortifying Hawaii and the
Philippines. Although not an alarmist
in any sense, he has information which
makes 1t his imperative duty to urge
upon Congress the necessity for ap-
propriating quick money for heavy
guns 10 guard the entrance of Pearl
harbor, in Hawaii. and to increase the
armament already emplaced in the
Philippines.
The real seriousness of the American
Japanese matter lies in the reports to
Secretary Taft. The army and navy
boards, the business of which was to
ascertain the situation and draw les
sons OF preparation from the ACQUIRED
knowledge. have reported privately
facts that 1t would not do, for interna-
uonal reasons, to have reach the public
=
them reach the ear of Congress. for
that would give them publicity.
In urging Congress to grant money
Tor Notifications Secretary Taft there
fore cannot tell all he knows, and this
year ne has not told Congress one
tenth of what he knows If 1t were
said bluntly and openly that the Off
GERS OF the army and navy believe that
a conflict is to come with any nation.
there would be diplomatic friction and
the war Of the future might become the
war OF the present. The War and State
departments are in possession of in
formation which leads them to believe
that If Japan were on sound financial
basis trouble between that country and
the United States would not be a ques-
ton of the future, but of the present
Men who more than any diplomats
keep the departments informed as to
the real state Of affairs have made the
statement that the Pacific possessions
Of the United States must be fortified
adequately as soon as the money can
be obtained. They are not mischief
makers. and, while the Cabinet officials
have so regarded them at times, this
year due attention has been paid to
what they have said.
Stories of Japanese insolence have
come to Washington from time to time
and the departments have diplomatical-
ly discounted them The stories are
true. 1t is true also that the pride of
the Japanese in their Russian victories
has not abated whit, and that they
are Extensively vaunting this pride, es-
pecially upon occasions when Ameri-
cans are within hearing.
There is no telling when the Japa-
nese Government will find itself on
financial basis sound enough to vaunt
its pride in some other way than by
words. Japan is looking for colony
outlet. 1t is finding one in Hawaii,
where the Orientals are simply crowd
ing into the harbor gates.