The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-20
By CAPT. R. P. HoBsoN.

by NAE i. X r hUbSDM.
It is the custom in America 20 treat
the Japanese question lightly when our
busy people pause long enough to con-
slider It at all The average newspaper
and the average citizen look upon the
recent incidents in California as trivial
occurrences that were noticed only be-
cause or the clamOr Of a few yellow
journals ard a few hot-5looded 1ingOsg
III the two countries, and the whole
question IS considered as now laid at
rest
AS a matter Of fact, for many weeks
the two countries lowered on the brink
Of war, and war was only averted by
the abject-thcugh necessary and wise
submission Of America. Furthermore.
we are still on a volcano. and for some
time 10 come until adequate prepare
tons are completed, We can only avert
war by continued submission.
Occurrence Trivial.
It is true the actual occurrences in
San Francisco were ridiculouslv trivial
in themselves, utterly insignificant con-
pared with similar occurrences In South
Africa, Australia. New Zealand, and
Vancouver, that have passed unchaI-
lenged by japan and almost unnoticed
by the world. But these san Francisco
occurrences are Infinitely significant as
marking the contact Of the scouts OF
two virile nations closing In for a strug-
gle that must determine the control OF
the Pacific ocean, whether by the white
men or the yellow men. upon which
Will hang the fate OF civilization.
In truth, these occurrence. are mart
OF a great sociological pheromenon-tbe
overlapping Of the spheres Of two great
expanding nations OF irodern times
Russia, a third expanding nation ovar-
Tapped the japanese sphere first o1I,,
to be hurled backward.
History presents two great tyDes. Of ex-
pansion-one by the process o. growth
the other BY the process Of transforma-
'lon' The first is a comparatively slow
process even when grow h Is very. rapid;
the second IS a swift process where a
vast population IS transformed often
within the span Of a single generation.
Distinct Types.
Of the first type, Rome was the great
est example Of ancient times and Amer
lea IS the greatest example of moder,
times.
Of the second type. the ATongolz vvera
the greatest example Of ancient times.
and their cousins, the japanese. are the
greatest example OF modern times.
The advance Of the first TYNE Is eses,-
TALLY that Of the home builder. while
the advance Of the second type is thai
of the cOnqueror. The first tends n
assimiiate and the second to sub5ugata
the new people
As a rule, the institutions coming nm
der the first have been upIifted tb.,ss
under the second have been DESTROYED
Both types are characterized nv ssls-
confidence, and in their progress hotb
entail wars. With the first wars como
at long intervals: with the second. one
war follows another. with only breath
ing spells between. To the people OF
the first war is a thing apart; 9Th
those Of the second It is the whole Of
life.
American expansion started with small
beginnings. less than 500. 600 Of peopIe
struggling in thirteen colonies along the
atlantic seaboard
japanese expansion started With the
nation full grown.
japan Expanded by War.
American territory has increased
chiefly by purchase and peaceful treat
the Northwest, the Gads-
den Purchase. Alaska; japanese terri
tory has grown only IN war-Soral-
Saghalien, Formosa.
Both nations have now expanded over
the Pacific ocean. By q wonderful des-
tiny. Hawaii. Guam. the Philippine ISL
ands. and Samoa the oatposts needed.