The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-13
RIDICULES
RECENT WAR TALK
Japanese Legs Too Short to
Wade Pacific
A MONUMENTAL BLUNDER
Texas Representative SO Refers to An
nexation of the Philippines In OPP
posing Appropriation for
Their Fertilization.

Washington, February 12.-Representa-
tive slayden of Texas, during the consid-
Grafton of the naval appropriation bill in
the House today addressed that body on
the subject of a recent war talk between
Japan and the United States and laughed
at the rumors of war out of the cham
Der.
Among other things he said:
Although we are at peace with all the
world and the rest of mankind, as Pres
ident of the United States is reported to
have said, the air is thick with rumors OF
war. Senators Of the United States see
storm clouds in the east and peripatetic
preachers of unlimited naval construction
are declaring that a conflict with Japan
is inevitable Our friends who represent
the Pacific coast in the House are fright
ened almost into nervous collapse over
the visions of the little brown man march
ing under the banner of the rising sum-
The fact that 6OO0 miles of salt water lie
between them and Japan does not appear
to allay their fears"
Mr. Slayden said that the Pacific coast
members are not treasured by the recol-
lection that President Roosevelt has re-
Gently been honored with the Nobel prize
as the worlds chief champion of peace.
He referred to the financial condition of
Japan, and declared that, "as one we can
not appreciate the imminence of this dan
ger" it was his duty to contribute his
mite towards restoring their mind. Mr..
Slayden then reviewed the war between
Russia and Japan, which he said was one
of the most remarkable in the history of
the world, but he declared that he would
call upon his nervous fellow citizens"
of the Pacific coast to remember that al
though the Japanese could march across
Manchuria, their legs are entirely too
short to wade the Pacific.
ION this side Of the Pacific ocean the
japanese have no coaling stations" he
said, land ships of war which cross that
ocean under their own steam would be
comparatively helpless before they could
reach the coast of California
Mr.. Slayden called attention to the
treaty of peace which brought the Russo
Japanese war to an end and declared that
it should also be remembered that after
winning brilliant victories in the greatest
battles of all history the Japanese made
a treaty of peace at Portsmouth, which
IL not humiliating was at least con-
fession of weakness" 1t is certain, he
said, that the empire has neither paid
its debts, nor filed its war chests since.
arbitration" declared Mr.. Slaydon, lis
an honorable reasonable and inexpen-
sive way of maintaining peace. 1t is more
consistent with modern civilization than
the big stick or big navy plan which
proposes to keep the peace by developing
a power so great that 1t may crush the
life out of opposition. Although it seems
to be q long time coming, I still indulge
the hope that Christian and peace loving
people of this country will sometime CON-
pei their own government to write treaties
of arbitration with all governments that
are willing to enter into them"
Mr.. Slayden took the position that bur
for the duty of protecting the Philippine
islands the governments naval expenses
could be cut in two and the military
budget greatly reduced. The annexation
of these islands, he termed the 'monu-
mental blunder of our history" and de-
clared that the United States has re-
pudiated cherished principles by compell-
ing the Filipinos to accept a government
which they do not want.
In opposing the proposed fortifications
for the Philippines, Mr.. Slaydon declared
that he believes that when the American
voter once has his conscience and judy
ment aroused he will command the aban-
donment of this strange and un-Amer-
lean policy of meddling with the ar
fairs of Asia.H