Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-01
DOES JAPAN WANT WARf


" there Is any foundation in fact Tor
the alarming reports sent out IRON
Washington, concerning the strained
relations between this country ana
Japan, 1t Is time for tha citizens OF the
United States to wake UP to the fact
that a. war with the Mikado's forces Is
among the possibilities of the near fu-
ture. II it comes. it is because the Jap
anese have decreed that it must be-
Whether the San Francisco school
question Is made the casus belli, or
some other situation Is created as an
excuse for hostilities. does not mat
ter; IL war with this country Is on the
Japanese program, 1t cannot be averted
by any ordinary measures of diplo-
macy, for II will be waged as a means
OF furthering Japans plans of ag-
grandizement. Japan has studied the
Rismarckian policy of building UP en-
pires through successive wars and has,
perhaps. marked the Philippines and
the Hawaiian Islands ms the next points
OF attack.
According to Washington dispatches.
ZONE foreign power has offered Japan
the money necessary to conduct an
other foreign war. Emissaries of this
power are also said to be actively en-
gagged in Japan creating a hostile senti-
ment there toward this country. 1t is
further stated that the situation is
considered so grave that President
Roosevelt has concluded to invite the
president of the board OF education
and the superintendent of public
schools of San Francisco to come TO
Washington for friendly conference
ON the matter. it is hoped that that
will result in some arrangement where
by the vexed school question viii be
permanently settled. Perhaps it Will
Hut 1t would be folly to close the
eyes to the fact that If Japan wants
war, she will flnd some pretext, no
meter how many are removed for the
sake of peace.
It has generally been supposed that
Japan cannot for many years engage
IN a war. Her resources. Il was thought,
were completely exhausted by the
Russian war. But no foreigner seems
to have a. clear idea of the resources
of that country. 1t must be admitted
that II Japan has decided to take away
some of our islands, her better policy
In not to wait TIL the United States
has built up a powerful navy. but 10
strike quick. With the aid OF a for
Gign loan, she would be in a position
To swoop down upon the Philippine is
lands. for instance, and land a strong
force there. which would be impossible
10 dislodge, except at the greatest sac
rifce of both lives and money. Is this
the Japanese program? II il we'll To re-
member that Japan is in the habit of
striking first, and declaring war after
wards.
The present dispute with Japan Is
II reminder to the western world of the
aspirations and aims OF that country
10 become of the leader of the millions
of Asia In movement against the
occident. The ideal now Is, undoubt-
eddy. the consolidation OF Asiatic for
ces ina grand effort of defense against
western intrusion in every form. And
who can say that this ideal Is but a
shadow and n dream? And who can
say that ambition win not tempt the
Asiatlcs. awakened by the sound of the
war drum, to further exploits into Eu-
rope, as of old? Who knows but that
the little cloud, no larger than hand.
will grow with fearful rapidity and
finally discharge its terrible thunders
where least expected? The awaken
ing of Asia by the tramp of armies and
the roar of cannon does not augur we'll
for the plans of peace congresses. 1t
gives no encouragement to the propo-
sition OF gradual, or Immediate. dis
armament