Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-02-15
STILL TALK OF A
.tnpnn Said to BE Seeking n %re-
text to Begin Hosifiitfes.

Japan Said to BE seeking "
text to Begin HosiiIitfes.
Although it is asserted that facihc
coast Congressman and fresiaent
Roosevelt nave reached a thorough I'M
derstanding as to the Japanese aHalr
and that the veXaticus problem Is no
longer n cause for apprehension, one
cannot fail to note the defiant attitude
of the California Assembly and the
suspicious insistence of Secretary Tart
that the government must fortity the
Hawaiian Islands. Whatever his ar
gument, it has convinced Congress, ana
provision is Incorporated in the appfo-
priations bill for improving Pearl Har-
Dor.
Declaring that Japan is seeking a
oretext to begin war with the United
States, Captain Richmond Pearson Hob
son. L. S. n. retired, insisted IN an
interview at New York that he mao
personally seen an ultimatum sent by
the Japanese government to Wasnlns-
ton. in which this country is directed
TO take back into the public schools the
children barred by California, or take
the consequences" This ultimatum, he
said, had been delivered by Japans
ambassador to Secretary Root.
While on the surface, it seems alb
surd to discuss the probability OF Il
war with Japan, it must not re Tor
gotten that history records many
mighty conflicts that have grown out or
seemingly trivial beginnings. AS to the
,.4;a> - +l,, Gam L'rancisnn SchOO1
board, the administration maintains
that it is in c~ontravention to our treaty
with Japan, but should the Federal
court hold otherwise, obviously the GOV
can do nothing else than tic
disclaim responsibility. Are the Japa-
nase broad enough to understand ana
to accept the situation in such an
event? Will they construe the Presi-
dents activity in the matter as evil
dcncc of the governments Sood 1nten-
tons aid appreciate the fact that hos
til!ty 20 them on the part of citizens OF
California is not a reflection OF nopu-
lar opinion outside of California? Or,
is it Il fact, as some insist, that Japan
is not trying to avoid a war. but IS
seeking q preteXt for declaring war:
Should the latter presumption prove
true. refusal on the part of California
to open her schools to japanese pupils
and affirmation by the Federal court or
her right to do so, would be excuse
enough Cor Japan to invade California,
and that would be tantamount to a
declaration of war against this nation.
The Toledo Blade, discussing the
matter, says it has taken the position
heretofore hat the controlling ele-
ments of the japanese government, the
leaders in council, would deprecate a
conflict with the United States. We
nave been of the opinion, based on in
formation from Toxic, that the Japa-
nese were weary of Understanding,
and, while it is natural they should
I feel elated over the signal defeat OF
! Russia, they have 4 surfeit OF war ana
are ambitious to become a world pow
er through the peaceful development OF
their resources. 1t was supposed, more
over that the enormous outlay of funds
which the Russian conflict entailed had
impoverished the imperial treasury, and
that, even if there were a war party III
the island, it could not prevail against
the wisdom of conservatism, whic
would encourage peaee-at LEASE Until
the country had recovered it's credit
But it is more than limited that Japan
far from being without a champion, ha:
already been assured that funds would
not be lacking in the event it shoult
come to a clash with this government
and enough authenticity is attached t.
this report to make it worthy of con
sideration. No intimation is given a:
to the nation interested in the pro
posed 1agellation, INT we are there
fore left to speculate in the dark.
But another version is that thi'
whole affair is c%oncocted for the pur
pose of bringing the Californians t.
their senses, a diplomatic move on thu
part of the administration to accom-
plish through fear what persuasion ha
failed to accomplish-the abandonment
by the San Francisco school authoritie
of a policy that is annoying to this ma
ton and irritating to Japan.