The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-11-01

Japanese statesmen desire their acqui-
sition. and the japanese denial Of this,
based ON the pretense that the climate
n too hot for cOlonists, r. untrue.
However, II f. a mistake 10 assume
that japan would necessarily concen-
trate on the Philippines in the event
Of war. More likely she would not
shrink from the risk Of attacking the
American feet wherever It might be
found and Of directly menaeing the
Pacific coast.
The United States Is not at present
IN position to resist such an attack
A war with japan would be the most
awful experience America could un-
dergo. Americans rely too much on
their feet ! admit that America has
new and first rate battleshIps, good
sailors and just as patriotic spirit as
Japan, but these do not insure victory
Victory depends upon the skillful and
experienced handling Of fleets. Mum
bers and weight have much less impor-
lance on sea than on land. The Jap
anese could probably cope with any
feet IN the world. They are masters
in the use OF the torpedo. They I'M
derstand the tactics OF coast and port
lighting, and there are reasons for be-
lieying that they will handle the sub
marines Of the future better than 9th
or nations. | refuse to believe that
the superior American feet would set
tie the war In one big battle.
On land, whether In the Philippines
or at home. the United States could
effect nothing. Americans do not I'M
dergtand that men, patriotism and
money do not constitute military &C.
ton. Americans have had no expert.
enee In real warfare. They are not, as
a nation. organized for war and do not
seem 10 understand what war IS.
have seen good deal Of the United
States army and even commanded
Americans among others during the re-
lief march 10 Picking during the Boxer
outbreak. AS men l found American
soldiers we'll educated, intelligent and
we'll conducted above all Europeans,
and their bravery and patriotism had
no limits. But their voluntary FREQ
and easy discipline was not soldierly
in the European sense, and such q sys-
tenn would inevitably break down IN
dealing with a ruthleasly dragooned
and disciplined people Ike the Japa-
nese.
remember once giving an order
that certain bodies Of troops, among
them Americans. must break camp az
3 In the morning and resume their
march. TO my Amusement an officer
came to me at night and pleaded that
the Americans were tired. II would b.
better. he suggested. to start at 8; ''thO
men would be In better spirits" I
agreed. But came to the conclusion
that in these Americans was COM
manding something very dlnsroni
from what was trained to under.
stand from the word army"
These are merely q few reasons why
! think that Americas position In the
Pacific Is seriously threatened. And
see no way to avoid the danger II
Japan, taking advantage OF some OF.
Tense against her immigrants or some
other pretense. should make undue de.
mands upon America. America VIII be
forced to accede or to embark on a
war which will almost certainly prove
disastrous.
The yellow peril Ia In this sense real.
But It viii become a much more terri.
BILE reality In the future. when not
merely Japan, but China. armed and
regenerated, shall be banded together
for the expulsion Of the white races
from Asia, The most then that white
men can hope for Is that Asia does not
retaliate In kind, The time to queneh
this peril passed by when, after the
relief Of Peking In 1900. urged in
vain upon the czar's government to
conclude agreements for the formal
partition OF the Chinese empire.