Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-02
WARNING BY H0BS0N
SAYS JAPAN SEEKS PRETEXT
FOR WAR WITH AMERICA.

NEW YORK, February 2.-Captain Rich
mond p Hobson, who retired from the
United States navy to become a representa-
tive. spoke at mass meeting Of the Peace
Society Of the city of New York last night,
under the auspices Of the Peoples Institute
at Cooper Union. Charles Sprague Smith,
director Of the institute, presided at the
meeting.
At the close Of his formal address Captain
Hobson repeated his declarations regard
ing the relations between Japan and the
United States. He said Japan was seeking
a pretext for war, and that an ultimatum
from the Japanese ambassador was already
in Secretary Roots hands.
Rabbi Stephen 8. Wise made the ingeni-
Gus suggestion that the nations battleships
be saved as curiosities to warn future gen.
erations.
Letters expressing regret at inability to
be present and sympathy with the peace
Grover Cleveland, Justice Brewer, Repre-
sentative Taylor Of Alabama, President
Samuel Gompers of the American Federa-
ton of Labor and James Duncan, vice
Labor. Mr.. Gompers in his letter said that
the American Federation of Labor at Its
last convention declared for investigation
of all difficulties before hostilities between
nations. indemnity Of private property at
sea in time Of war. general arbitration
treaty and a periodic world assembly.
Other speakers were the Rev. Samuel j.
Barrows and the Rev. Frederick Lynch.
The Alleged Ultimatum.
Speaking of the alleged Japanese ultima
tum Captain Hobson said:
This is the reason why President Roose-
Welt Is trying to avert the threatened rup-
ture. He knows that We are helpless and
that Japan can take the Philippine Islands
and Hawaii tomorrow If she decides to do
So Japan has now an army Of soldiers In
the Hawaiian Islands. They made the In
yasion quietly as coolies. and now we know
that they are soldiers organized into COM
panies, regiments and brigades. we reanze
now when 1t is too late that we are helpless
and must back water. Our ships in the Pa
cific could not cope with the Japanese navy,
and II we attempted to strengthen our fleet
Japan has the backing Of the British gov
eminent but before she can get the finances
she must have an excuse to win over the
sentiment Of the people in Europe
England does not want to go to war with
us because she knows that Canada would
be q hostage. But it must be remembered
that the offensive and defensive alliance
was evaded by the allies during the Rus
sian-Japanese war. AS In that case Eng
land need not join in a war between Japan
and the United States, when her ally is to-
day master Of the Pacific.
The ultimatum which Japan has given this
country and which I saw, says take back
our people to your public schools In Califor-
MIA or take the consequences" They know
that California is only a state yet that
public opinion there represents the senti-
ment of the whole country. That is only
pretext The trouble Is, japan wants to
control the commerce and markets Of the
far east She is determined to drive Amer
lea out of the Philippine Islands She does
not want us to sell manufactured goods In
China.
If the Panama canal was completed we
might be able to protect the Pacific coast.
but we are helpless now, and should Japan
strike the Philippines and the Hawaiian
Islands would be lost to US. This is the
real situation, and it Is a pity that We have
not strong fleets both on the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans to protect our interests and
keep Japan from attacking us. War with
Japan is inevitable unless we can convince
the f1nanciers OF Europe and the people
there that there is really no cause for Japan
to go to war with us.