The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-14
WAR WITH JAPAN is
REMOTE PROSPECT
Mikado's S Government is
Friendly to United
States.
NATIONAL DEBT
PREVE NTS WAR
Islanders Are Too Busy With
Korea and Manchuria to Think
OF Picking Quarrel With
Formidable Power-Do
Not Want the
Philippines.
Times-Dlspatch Bureau,
Munsey Building.
Washington ID e Sen

washington. u. e., sept. 'l3
General Luke IG. Wright, of Tennes-
see, returning home after a residence
of a year and half insTok.o as Ameri-
can ambassador. is here on business,
which. when disposed of, Will formally
mark his retirement from the diplo-
matte service. His successor as tho
first ambassador to Japan. Thomas j.
OBrien. former minister to Denmark,
sailed from Seattle to-day with the
Taft party for Toxic
General Wright takes a most COM
.placent and optimistic view of Japan
and the future of its people, and repu-
dates as unworthy the suggestion of
the prospect of armed conflict between
the United States and the Mikado's
government He said that Japan had
enough real work to do In Korea and
Manchuria to exercise her energies for
years 10 come, without seeking trouble
with the United States.
He did not regard war even as a
remote possibility, and, as for trouble
In the future over the Philippines. he
did not think Japan has ever wanted
the archipelago or ever will want 1t
bad enough to fight for the stake.
One reason, in General Wrights's
opinion. why Japan is not smarting
for trouble with the United States
is the enormity of its national debt,
which in round figures is one billion
dollars. Considering the resources OF
the government. that gigantic sum
was equivalent to n national debt in
this country of fifteen or twenty bill
lions. In other words, General Wright
thought the United States could bet
ter afford to owe twens, billion dol
lars than Japan can afford to carry
II debt of one billion. 1t should NOT
be inferred from this comparison Of
the resources of the two countries that
Japan is not eminentiy capable OF
caring for her national obligation.
Many Admirable Traits.
OF the people of Japan. General
Wright said that they had many adj
which made for them national unity
and strength.
He said that some of the greatest.
students he had ever met In public
life were Japanese, and that their Ca
pacity for achievement was almost i'm,
the anti-Japanese outbreak In San
francisco. but did not regard 1t ms
sufficient provocation for war between
the two countries. The best thinkers
the idea of war with the. United States
and earnestly desired to add cohesion
to the relations which heretofore haa
made Japan and America friendly
Wright. although confessing to3a lack
of knowledge of the real situation,
owing to his prolonged absence from
home. thought there was a good chance
for the Democratic party TO win, IL
no mistake was made In selecting the
head of the ticket. He suggested no
name for this place.
He thought Taf, or Hughes would
make formidable contestant with
any Democrat, and as to President
Roosevelt, he regarded him as almost
invincible in those States that sup
ported him in the last election.
General Wright retlres from the
diplomatic service of his country to
return to Memphis to re establish him
self in the practice of law, III which
profession he has won permanent fame
and recognition. He will practice with
his son. Major E. r. Wright. who is
one of the ablest young lawyers in the
South.
General Wright declared that he had
no political ambition to crafty. and
would return to his native city for
the single purpose of resuming work
in a field that offered him the most
congenial labors. He will go to New
York tomorrow, and from there he
will return to Memphis, arriving home
next Wednesday or Thursday.