The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-02-05
JAPAN MIGHT
STRIKE HARD
Editor ShiozaWa Draws
a Parallel From Late
War History.


not to have caused a ripple on the
surface of Japan Sea. Next to Consul
/ Saito. Editor Shiozawa is looked upon
as the oracle of the Japanese in Ho-
nolulu and what he says may be ac-
cepted as from the voice of the people.
He was not at all disturbed by the
news, on the contrary he wore an L
| toId-you-so expression when spoken to
| terday.
You may depend upon it." he re-
marked, there will be no compromise.
1 have been informed that since the San
Francisco mishap the editors of the
japanese papers in Japan have been
instructed by the Foreign Office to keep
quiet and leave the settlement of the
matter to the government. Well that
has gone on until the point has been
reached where the papers have felt
obliged to say something.
when that dispatch was read here
yesterday morning we japanese said
I told you so,' for we have felt all
along that the honor and prestige Of
Japan could not be lost through the
influence of the japanese politicians
Japan is peaceful and does not look for
war, especially from such a friendly
nation as the United States. You will
understand that there may be a modifi-
40 af ha "
upon by the Japanese Ambassador In
Washington and the State Department
but that would not be considered in
the light of a new treaty, nor affect
ing the present one except by agree
ment in which the Japanese govern
| ment must be in accord. To say that
any of our citizens cannot enter the
United States and have the same priv
ileges as citizens of other nations is
sheer nonsense and do not believe our
government would consent to any such
treaty.
Asked if the local Japanese or the
| home people talked war, Mr.. Shiozawa
| answered with a smile.
Japanese here do not consider it
for a moment, nor do I believe they
do at home, especially with the United
States. We have always looked upon
that government as our friend, and
mighty one, SO that after all these
years it would be bad for US to severe
the bond because a few California
demagogues say the Japanese are In
the way of their own children in the
public schools. Today, as it was be-
fore the treaty with Great Britain was
made, the japanese have looked upon
Americans as their best friends and I
believe that feeling would prevail in
any discussion by the powers. Japan
is not in position to go to war.
The cable says that no settlement
involving a loss of Japanese honor or
prestigge will be considered. That,
believe, is the feeling that exists in
Japan. When the first message was
received here in which President Roos-
evelt, to whom all Japanese look for
justice, said a treaty barring coolies
would be made, all four Of the Japa-
nese papers published here, and with
out consultation of the editors, gave
editorial opinions almost exactly alike
to the effect that the idea was false
and the report erroneous. 1t was
serious matter and strange to say we
all agreed that there must be another
solution to the problem. Now we have
this last from Toxic which is practice
ally an expression of the views of the
merchant class of Japanese here. I
can see that the newspapers in Japan
prefer an amicable settlement of the
difficulty but they viii insist, to the
limit of their diplomatic ability, that
it be settled without resort to arms.
We must preserve the honor and pres
tige of Japan
You will remember that after the
Chino-Russian-Japan war there was
a treaty made between Germany
France and Russia. That in time, you
will also remember, Japan was de-
prived of the fruits of her victory. Her
honor and prestige was assailed But
what was the government to do? Her
fighting ships were shot full of holes
and the limit of her credit was reach
ed in the financial centers of the world.
The japanese, from the wealthy to the
coolie class, felt the thorn prick in the
honor of their country. But Russia
was powerful nation and the Gov
eminent of Japan felt that it would
be better to have her honor and pres
tige injured than be altogether beaten
by a stronger force. Now note the re-
suit. Ten years later, with the memory
of that insult still fresh in the minds
Of the people, again from merchant
prince to coolie, Japan waded in and
taught Russia a lesson that she will
ever remember. Japan is not in a po-#
sition today to go to war with any
nation, much less the all-powerful and
always-friendly United States, but if
the treaty has to be made and she is
forced, automatically, to yield to the
wishes of the United States in the mat
ter of admission of certain citizens into
this country-well, the japanese will
not forget. Japan will be out of debt
some day and her navy will be better
than IL is now, and when that time
comes there may be repetition of his
tory.
I'VE do not blame the people of San
Francisco for objecting to the admis-
sion of men pupils into the classes
where the young are taught. for we
realize that the influence of the older