The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-07-20
What is Termed "Insane Comp1acency,'
General Unpreparedness and Unequal
Distribution
OF Strategica1 Advantages Would Handicap
United States, Asserts European
Military Expert. ......

A late number Of the Journal Of the
Military Service Institution contains
the following article from the pen of
Ignez Rodic, captain of general staff,
Austro- Hungarian army. In view of
the persistent rumors Of war between
this country and Japan it will be
found interesting reading. The writer
says:
Public opinion is easily hypnotized
by popular phrases. Vulgar fallacies
are capable of binding the people to
existing danger, and this is particular
ly the case when national pride is fat
tered.
These false conceptions are accept
ed by the thoughtless public without
question, an axiom further emphasized
in problems concerning which the
masses can naturally have little tech
nical knowledge; as witness Russia's
recent history. where the oft-repeated
-psasete:e i,1.=the country's inexhaustible
reaources. as Martin proved, had little
foundation in fact.
How readily the people are deceived
in their judgment upon purely mill
tary questions was demonstrated. by
the French cry, "The army is the arch
priest" and by the boast of the Rus
sians,, Peace will be dictated in To-
kio." Even from our own latest his
tory similar instances may be cited.
For example, the familiar expression
at the outbreak of the war of 1866,
that Against the Prussians no arms
were needful; they could be routed
with bare hands," and in 1873, when
the popular belief prevailed that the
march of a regimental band in Bosnia
would suffice to pacify that country.
Such general misconception is now
apparent in America. The diplomatic
successes of the Union in later years
have converted the well-known self
confidence of the Americans into a
species Of insane connplacency. This
blinds the people Of the United States
to a danger which threatened them
even before the recent California
school incident attracted their atten-
ton. For months-ever since the ter
mination of the Russo-Japanese war
"a grave peril has menaced that coun-
try. Only within the last few days
has the approaching breach taken def
mite shape, although they still do not
realize the full meaning of it.
The crafty Asiatics are doing all in
their power to encourage the Ameri-
cans in their lack of foresight, till the
japanese preparations for war, es-
pecially on sea, are completed and the
moment is opportune for them to
strike, unless in the meantime America
5accedes to all Japans demands.
The California school affair could
not have been acceptable to the Jap
anese government, coming at this time
since it might have precipitated war.
For this reason the protest Of the
japanese populace was promptly nip
ped in the bud, that the Americans
might have no suspicion of real en-
nifty. Every effort has been made by
Japan to delay war preparations in
the Union, even suggesting to the inn
agination of foreigners the possibility
of a new war with Russia. In conse-
quence of this ruse, Uncle Sam de-
clares that Japan has only feeling
Of friendship for America and that
nothing is less likely than war be-
tween the two nations.
In the meantime, Japan feverishly
continues to arm her people, process
that has been going on ever since the
conclusion Of the recent war. This
can not go much further before the
astonished world learns that Japan
ese army has landed in California and
that it has. after an Intellectual resist
ance, obtained quietly home in that
inviting country for Its emigrants, for