The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-02
NOT MAKING A WAR FLEET
TEE FACTS ABOUT Our NAVY
IN THE Pacific.
p,ap 10 Increase. II Was Postponed when
the Agitation Over the san Francisco
school Question Arose. As IL Was
considered Inwise TO Alarm Japan.

V~Asu1SGroN, July Ever since the re-
,nnearance Of the agitation in japan over
the treatment of Japanese subjects residing
\ in San Francisco Washington has beer
\lled with rumors that this Government
Accumulated an immediate increase in its
raw strength in the Pacific, These rumors
have now assumed definite shape. Sixteen
bsttleships of the Atlantic feet, the main
division of the American naval fighting force,
are 10 he sent to the Pacific, it is declared,
and naturally the inference is drawn by
those unacauainted with the situation that
fear of trouble with Japan is responsible
for Tho reported decision to move a great
aggregation Of floating forts to a position
If greatest strategic Importance for any
Conflict with our Far Eastern neighbors.
The Roosevelt administration has spared
M means to deprecate the reports that
there is danger of war between this coun-
try and Japan. From the statements
made by prominent officers it is practically
IMPOSSIBLE to escape the conviction that
President Roosevelt and his principal adj
,lsers are satisfied that there 10 no prospect
Of a conflict unless the yellow and lingo
rress-American and = Japan ese-succeed
after long effort in producing enough pin
tricks to turn the present cordial feeling
existing between the two nations into dis
trust and enmity. That no just ground
for war exists or can exist on any discrim-
nation against Japanese by an infinitesi-
mally small proportion of the American
reople, is apparently the honest belief
not only of those in authority in Wash
ington, hut among the members of the
japanese Government as well.
The Administration realizes the danger
of the situation, however. IL understands
the sensitive nature OF the Japanese and
the difficulty Of making the masses OF the
people Of that country appreciate the
difference between the actions and speech
of agitators and the real feelings OF the
Government and the vast majority OF
Americans. IL believes that rumors Of a
hostile attitude on the part Of this nation
tend to increase the excitement which
the Japanese lingo newspapers are per-
eistently fomenting. In this knowledge
the President and his executive officers
have done and are doing everything they
can 10 show Japan that the United States
is anxious TO preserve the long friendship
that has existed between them. They are
constantly beset by sensational reports.
however, and find the task one Of great
difficulty.
The latest obstacle in the way Of main
tanning cordial relations with Japan-the
report OF the intention of the United States
TO send a great fleet of modern armorclads
to the Pacifc-is the outgrowth Of condi-
tons and discussion that did not have their
origin in the troubles involving Japanese
subjects on the Pacific Coast. Long before
the San Francisco school question became
an issue, or in fact was heard OF In Washing
ton, the General Board OF the Navy had
formed an opinion that the preponderance
Of American interests requiring protection
from the feet lay in the Pacific Ocean, and
particularly in the Far East. The policy
of the open door in China and the proximity
Of the Philippines to that country made it
incumbent on the Government, In the
opinion Of the General Board. TO increase
our naval strength in h Pacific Ocean.
In the course OF years that view gained
strength. and a year or so ago the plans
Of the general board obtained considera-
ton from those in a position to demand
whether the proposed policy should be
carried out. The matter had reached the
point where something was 10 be don
one way or the other. when the agitation
over the San Francisco school question
arose and il was decided that il would be
unwise 10 take any step that might create
a wrong impression in Japan BY that
time. however, the policy had apparently
been determined on and the Government
would ave put it in operation il consid-
~erations OF caution and diplomatic wisdom
had not prevailed. II Ia probable that
ultimately a strong feet will be sent to the
Pacific, but there seems 10 be no intention
on the part of the Administrator to hurry
in the matter and prior to any movement
Of this character steps will be taken to
make clear that il was due to long study
and had no connection with any recent
developments in the relations between
Japan and the United States.
The Administration does not intend. of
course, to let Japan AVE the say as to
whether this Government shall make a
marked increase in her Pacific naval
strength. But the whole attitude OF the
Administration deprecates doing anything
not Of immediate demand that might tend
10 disturb in any degree the amity and cor
diality that exists between this nation and
enc Of It's best friends. Ii is quite likely that
the Pacific feet scheme will not become
operative for many a day. The Government
here is satisfied that the present Japanese
ministry and the party which supports it
are friendly TO America and just as DESTROYS
es President Roosevelt and his councillors
TO continue on the best OF terms with one
another.
The decision 10 send two armored cruisers
the Washington and the Tennessee to
the Pacific is declared 10 nave no connection
with the scheme Of battleship increase for
that ocean advocated by the general board
OF the navy, These two vessels are TO he
sent, II is asserted, in accordance with
routine arrangements But ever this
tN6ound 10 be regarded as i'm
portaLt at this time. To the average person
not connected with the navy all war vessels
look alike, whether 20 900 ton battleships or
500 ton gunboats.
CROKER 4 DUBLIN FREEMAN