The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-01

United States would be a crime
against modern civilization. 1t would
be insane. Neither the people of
Japan nor the people of the United
of the two countries would strain
every point to avoid such an awful
catastrophe. Neither would gain
anything.
Japan and Korea.
Japan has undertaken with the legiti-
mate interests of so close a neighbor to
reform and rejuvenate the kingdom
that is governed or that is misgoverned
by fifteenth century methods. His
majesty, the emperor, has shown his
appreciation of the difficult task by
sending to Korea Japan's greatest
statesman. No matter what the reports
may be. no matter what criticism may
be uttered the world will have conf
dence tha1 Prince Ito and the japanese
government are pursuing policy In
Korea which will make for justice,
civilization and the welfare of back
ward people.
why should Japan wish for war? 1t
must stop or seriously delay the execu-
tion of her plans for the reform of
Korea
why should the United States wish
for war? 1t would change her in year
or more into military nation. Her
great resources would be wasted in
vast equipment which would serve no
purpose but tempt the nation into war
like policy. Why should she wish for
war in which all theA evils of society
flourish and all the vultures fatten. She
is engaged III esta blishing a government
of law and order in the Philippines fit
ting these people by general education
to govern themselves.
1T has been suggested that we might
relieve ourselves of this burden by the
sale of the islands to Japan or some
other country. The suggestion is alb
surd Japan does not wish for the
Philippines; she has problems of SIM
liar nature, nearer home. More than
this the United States could not sell the
islands to another power without, the
grossest violation of it's obligations to
the Philippine people.
''Under these circumstances, then
could there be anything more wicked.
more infamous than the suggestion or
war between two nations who nave en-
joyed much time-honored friendship
and who have nothing to fight for?
He Raps the Newspapers.
"Some one asks why such reports
and the rumorS of war; the capacity
of certain members of the modern
press by sensational dispatches TO give
rise to unfounded reports has grown
with improvement of communication
between distant parts OF the world
The desire to sell papers, the desire
for political reasons to embarraSs the
executive government, or other, ana
even less justifiable motives have LED
to misstatementS, miSconStruct1onS ana
unfounded guesses, all worked into
terrifying headlines which have no
whatever.
"In each country doubtless, there
are irresponsible persons that war
would or might make prominent VINO
try to give seriousness TO Sucn discus
sions. But when one considers the
real feeling of two people as a whole.
when one considers the situation from
the standpoint of the sanity and real
of each country, it is ditf1-
cult to characterize in polite, moderate
the conduct of those VINO
are attempting to promote misunder-
standing and i'll feeling between the two
countries.
''It gives me pleasure to assure the
people of Japan that the good will of !
the American people towards Japan
suggestion of a breach in the amfcabGe |
relations between them finds no con- |
hrmation in public opinion in the |
United States
Mr.. Taft said it gave him great pleas |
lre to bring this message of good Will |
rom President Roosevelt.
Mr.. Tafts speech was greeted with |
applause. After the BAN |
1uet the assembly room was the scene |
If a remarkable manifestation of good
will. everybody congratulating every
body else on what was considered to
De a complete removal of the little |
,loud'' which had been hanging over
he SO years of friendship between the
United States and Japan and rejoicing
At the fact that a final damper had
,een put upon sensational utterances
egarding the possibility of strained re-
ations between the two countries.
An especially pleasing effect was pro-
iuced by the secretary's remarks
bout the Japanese emperor's intention
o send a message of good will to the