Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-02
CLASH IS INEVITABLE
Senator Perkins Views as to
War With Japan.
RISING OF PACIFIC EMPIRE
Delivers Address Before National
Geographic Society.
REAL CAUSE FOR A CONFLICT
Conflict, If Any, Would Originate
From Fight for Supremacy Of
Pacific Commerce.

In an address on '"The Rising of the Pa
cific Empire" before the National Geo.
graphic Society last evening at National
Rifles Armory. Senator George c. Perkins
OF California declared that clash with
Japan is inevitable and intimated that the
apparently small questions now pending
| may furnish the pretext. He said, however,
| that the much-talked-of educational friction
| in San Francisco will not be the real cause
| OF any conflict, but it will originate from
| the fight for supremacy of commerce on the
Pacific. He raised his auditors to a high
pitch Of interest by his significant remarks,
| but the nine hundred or more persons who
attended the lecture departed from the hall
| somewhat relieved by statement from the
| speaker to the effect that he does not ex-
| pect conflict for several years.
After mentioning difficulties overcome in
| the past in dealing with the Chinese Sena-
| tor Perkins said:
Hawaii has the JAPANESE on her hands
| as We in California will soon have, and as
| this people Is more aggressive, more tena-
cious, more cunning and more determined
than the Chinese. it will never do to permit
a long delay before settling the question
once for all. For the people of Japan have
started out on q course of commercial de-
velopment which will soon bring the United
States and japan so close together that 1t
Japan Is still in the flush of its great tri-
umph over what was considered the strong
est Of the European powers. 1t successfully
interposed a barrier to Russian supremacy
in eastern Asia.
Primary Ambition Of Japan.
1.-THE primary ambition of Japan is to
colonize the overflow population Of the
empire in adjacent countries under its own
sovereignty. This Is the true beginning Of
real national expansion, but in addition to
this the inherent national traits Of patri-
otto impulses of the Japanese will make
them q foreign element in any country to
which they migrate. Real expatriation is
condition practically impossible to the
Japanese mind. The extent to which the
Japanese will occupy the territory Of
friendly powers will be displacement of
the sovereignty of the power extending to
them welcome and the presence of the
sovereignty Of the Mikado Of Japan.
Japan, as the dominant oriental nation,
will naturally form with the other oriental
| nations an alliance which will consolidate
these nations into effective cooperation.
1.-The science of war supervenes only
upon q foundation Of all other sciences
No nation in all history has ever mani
Tested greater capacity for perfect unity
of purpose than the Japanese; no nation
has manifested a greater aptitude to seize
upon and appropriate all that the ages
have disclosed to the other nations in art,
| in science and in government.
Will Remain a Unit.
''In brief, the japanese race wherever
distributed, however numerically strong in
any foreign country, will remain con-
solidated unit in support Of the aspirations
Of the japanese race, and however distant
their residence from the throne Of the
mikado, will still constitute an element Of
strength in the unity of the empire.
Naturalization in any country in which
they migrate will not eliminate this racial
instinct
Conflicts between nations are the result
Of antagonisms which lie at the very
foundation Of their purposes, their aspra-
lions. their growth and expansion. The
presence Of Russia as a prime factor in
| the commerce of the Pacific coast was
inimical to the aspirations of the Japanese
empire in the same line. The occupation
Of Manchuria and the fertilization Of Port
| Arthur was the immediate excuse, but not
| the real cause Of the war. The real cause
| Of the war was the inherent antagonism
Of interest and purpose which could find
no other solution than the arbitrfment of
| the sword.
Pathway Will Converge.
1--WE have acquired territory in the Pa
ciflc ocean; we have laid the foundation for
| commercial primacy on that great sea.
We have a position at the very doors of
| the orient by the possession Of the Philip
pines and a base Of naval operations in the
middle of the ocean by the Incorporation of
the Sandwich Islands. We have shore
| line under the jurisdiction of the American
flag which. following its indentations on
the Pacific ocean borders of the Pacific
states and the territory of Alaska, comprises
25,OOO miles. The countries under the juris-
diction OF our flag lying behind this line
possess resources equal to the ultimate sup
port of empires of wealth and population
We have laid the foundation for commercial
supremacy on the Pacific coast. and at
some point in the future course of national
| destiny the pathway OF national progress
| on the part Of Japan and the United States
will converge to point of inevitable con-
fict.
ut Is useless to speculate as to what the
occasion or excuse for this conflict may be.
| The small cloud Of war which is now hang
| ing on the horizon of the two nations an
pears to. relate to the dissatisfaction of
| Japan with the domestic policy of the state
| OF California relating to its educational in
| terests. The administration of the educa-
| tional affairs Of California have not been
| fortunate in meeting with the approval of
the Empire of Japan; but this educational
| policy is not the reason for disturbing the
amicable relations between the two ma
| tons. The fundamental cause lies at the
very foundation of the national character
Of the nations to the controversy.
| Modification Of Predictions.
At this junction the senator introduced a
modification of his predictions of conflict. /"
saying: "The antagonism, however latent,
is present in the conscious intuitions Of the
4 two nations; b1t. however strong the COM
petition between the two countries may be,
racial feelings should not, and believe will
not, lead to actual armed conflict. Japan
has given evidence Of wise and progressive
craftsmanship, and we can hoppe also for
such in the future as we have in the past
| The cost in men and treasure Is growing
greater in every succeeding war, and neith-
I er Japan nor the United States would
4 hastily appeal to arms when the spirit of
| reason is beginning to rule the world. To
do so would be to belle the renown they
have of being the most progressive nations
of the globe. And. fortunately, The Hague
/ tribunal stands ready to consider In all
fairness those great questions that tend to
disturb the peace of the world. am sure
/ that we of America would consider our
| selves great and strong enough to submit
/ to this tribunal any dispute not affecting
our honor, and that Japan would consent,
| II not insist, that this be done. We need
not fear serious clashing of interests, how
ia o.. 10 cd L.