The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-07-20

) though the small army in time of peace
is only one-seventeenth that of ours,
its cost in the last year was 5S0.000.-
} 600 kronen. far in excess of our own
} budget. In other words, the cost of
an American soldier is about eight
times that of the Austro- Hungarian.
The finances Of America would be pro-
portionately weakened by the loss of
laborers conscripted into the army.
Conditions with Japan. however,
would be quite otherwise. and the cost
would be no greater than in the Man.
churian campaign. The probabilities
) are that it would be less, because the
resources of the invaded territory
of landing. 1t is generally reported
that Japan is in no financial condition
for another war. but this is not the
truth. Despite her public debt, her
mercantile status is good, as shown by
the receipts from the tobacco monopo-
ly, which increased from 100000 yen
in 1904 to 100000 yen in 1905.
We have shown by the above argu-
ment that it is possible for Japan to
: invade and occupy the Pacific coast
of the Union; but it is a question
whether she. who weighs every prob
lem with deliberation. would dare
) make the attempt. AS military ne
cessity. IT she should pick a quarrel
with the United States, it would be
: absolutely necessary for her to take
this step in order to gain an ultimate
, victory.
/, There are many indications that in
the event of war Japan intends to
, carry it to the American continent
Her feverish activity in her arsenals
since the conclusion OF war with Rus
sia would suggest preparations for
!, vast struggle. In her arsenals alone
: $4,000 workn1en are employed night
and day. and similar energy is ex-
pressed in her steel gun foundries and
powder works. In the gun and cart
t ridge factories at Toxic and Nagoya
; over 10000 men are at-Work. The ca
!, fpacity of these factories, and a third
r plant recently constructed to the north
of Toxic. is 500 guns daily. The shot
4 works in Toxic alone have an output
of 900 shells and shrapnel for field
: guns. Similar intensiveness is ex-
hibited in the government factories
for artillery fuses. pioneer material.
etc ..
, Do not all these signs point to an
? intended invasion" Where could this
! be? Certainly not on the Asiatic con-
tinent. for another war with Russia
D would not be in the present interests
OF Japan. To crush the American
, forces in the Philippines would Ger
tainly not demand such extensive
prepara tions. but would indicate that
some vast undertaking. which will
, strain her sinews to the utmost. Since
f ia pan does not consider the moment
! to strike opportune. it is the serious
, duty of America to lose no time in per-
lcClllS Ilel u"lcIlScS dIu 6uni ulllS
i. against a surprise. To do so effectual-
a ly the following desiderata are strong
| ly Indicated:
= /. The creation Of a strong fleet on
r the Pacific for the defense of the coast
one that should exceed in strength
l that of Japan.
. 11, of 1,n
Panama canal.
r 3. Increase of the western coast
!. fortifications, and provision for their
defense on the land side. The crea-
tion of several f1rst-class bases for the
fleet and for a field army, which will
2 render it possible tn hold back an in
D vader till reserves could be brought
up.
4 4. Immediate and extensive in
crease of the standing army.
] The first three conditions, consider
ing the financial resources of the coun-
try, are merely a question of time:
not so, however, Of the fourth, for even
/ with the present strength Of the army
r and navy it is difficult. as has been
), shown, to obtain recruits. Any de-
g cided increase. therefore, can not be
S expected from the methods employed
by them. It is our opinion that a VOL
e unteer army can never equal in dis
e cipline and reliability trained nation
I al force, Whoever doubts this axiom
f may compare the battles of the recent
t Boer war with those of the later con-
: tests in Easter Asia. Compulsory mil
litary service in America does not ap-
, pear to be possible at the present time.
a and history teaches that the custom
O with all nations has followed only a
. crushing defeat.
a Tommy-You know Fatty Thomp-
t son. the butcher. What do you sup