Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-02-01
TOday's Telegraphic News
Japan and the United states.

as the most dangerous element in the
controversy between the United states
aud JspaD. Since the Msnchurisn var,
the whole population from coolie to
noble have shared the war spirit that
used to be the monopoly of the Saniurai
fighting clan. For ages the people we're
taught that lighting was the highest
and only glorious profession. Etiquette
compelled the ordinary peasant and
lsborer to a5ase himself to the Samurai
The war has made every male japanese
a Samurai in feeling but Ignorance and
prejudice make the common people more
proud and arrogant than the Samurai ever
we're. Recent English visitors to Japan
report that the japanese believe that
the United States with is $1,000, 900
people is pygmy compared to Russia
with its l2o, 600, 600 people. They think
that to take the Philippines, Guam, and
Hawaii would be merely a spring ex-
cursion for the japanese feet. 1t is al
80 popular japanese opinion that Ameri-
can seaboard cities could be surprised as
EASILY as Port Arthur vss in February
1905.
Official and educated classes in Japan,
however, do not share the popular de-
sire for war, according to reports here.
They want a long breathing spell to re-
pair their finances and extend their
commerce. They believe that If the
United States will compel the San Fran
cisco authorities fully to acknowledge
the racial equality of the japanese, sll
trouble will be ayerted.
European opinion cannot understand
the California prejudice against Mopgo-
lians, there being no MongolIans 10 Ed
rope. For this reason, it Is supposed
that the .Caliiornisns will back down.
This belief makes European opinion on
the whole op imistic.
Washington, d. c., Feb. lit is
said here today that the representations
made to Secretary Of State Root by Jap
anese Ambassador Aoki, although
couched in the most delicate phraseology,
we're 10 the nature of an ultimatum.
This government has been Informed that
the Japanese government insists upon its
subjects in the United States being
treated as those of the most favored na-
ton. The acknowledgment of this
principle is made condition precedent
to the conduct of further negotiations.
Japan refuses to have her subjects In
ian Francisco put on par with the
Chinese. They must be accorded the
sane school privileges as those extended
10 the subjects of Great Britain, Ger
many, France or any other 6rst class
power.
1t is because of this declaration, made
By order OF the Japanese Foreign Office,
that the President has summoned the
San Francisco school authorities to
Washington. He will bring to bear
upon them every possible argument for
the admission OF the japanese children
TO the regular public schools. If he
shall be as successful in convincing them
OF the seriousness of the present situa-
ton as he was with the members OF the
California delegation 10 Congress, an
alarming crisis will be avelted. A ma
iority Of the delegation is now in favor
of the compromise suggested by the adj
ministration aud tentatively agreed to by
the Japanese government. II is believed
that the President can show his visitors
when they arrive next Monday thst the
advantages to be gained through the ex-
clusion OF japanese coolies from the
United States will far ont weigh the oon-
alterations which have caused the segre-
Cation of Japanese sohool.children in
San Francisco. Were 1t not for the
present high state of feeling among the
people of Japan, the problem would be
Of tar easier solution, The Imperial gov
ernment is seriously threatened at home,
unless it can deliver something that car
be construed into a diplomatic victory
The President honestly believes that
the San Francisco authorities are in the
wrong, and therefore he feels that the
national administration could not posi-
bly, suffer 10 pride or prestige by acced-
ing to the demand, Of the japanese Gov.
eminent.
Members of the Cabinet still denied
today that the administration has any
reason 10 believe that war cloud is
gathering between the United States and
Japan. They declare most emphatically
that the feeling between the two cOun-
tries is better than it was six weeks ago,
aud that all pending differences are on
a fair road to O satisfactory settlement.
Notwithstanding these assertions, how
ever, it is stated that the recent anti
American agitation in Japan has
thoroughly awakened the President and
his Cabinet to the necessity for active
preparations to meet any hostile move
by Japan. The details Of yesterday and
today arc said to be only partly true,
while there is no immediate prospect Of
war between the two countries, the
administration has read the hand
writing on the wal which means
hostilities with the BIjkado's Empire
within the next few years unless, the
gingoes say, the increased military and
naval strength Of this country and the
poverty of Japan convince the Japanese
that war could only mean defeat and loss
OF prestige in the Orient. The War and
Navy departments are strengthening The
military and naval forces where they
would be most needed in the event of
war. There is said to be one Cabinet
officer who believes war with Japan is
now only question of time. Upon in
quiry at the Navy Department it was
learned that all the hatileships of the