The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-19


 cago Tribune
 l @ ERRIBLE would be the results | 9 of war between the United States and Japan and slight in comparison would be the advantage to the victor in the judgment of high army and navy officers in Washington. Statistics which have been collected by the military departments forecast appall- ing consequences and justify the demand that jingoism cease its efforts to promote a conflict These statistics are based upon results of the war between Rus sia and Japan and that between the Unit ed States and Spain. In these two wars the United States and Japan were vic- to-s, acquiring territory and procteu- torates which since have been source of constant trouble and annoyance and requiring large expenditures of money. the only important effect to date being an increase in internationaD prestige and removal of menace at their doors. The vanquished, Russia and Spain, witnessed destruction of their sea power, suffered immense losses from battle and disease among their armies, were compelled to surrender territory and give up ambi- tions and found themselves disturbed by unsatisfactory internal conditions.
 According to statements made at the war and navy departments today the consequences of a war between the Unit ed States and Japan would include;
 Destruction of fleet of one or other of combatants.
 Loss of territory by vanquished.
 AJlockade of ports.
 vast injury to commerce of both, but especially to loser
 Tremendous loss of life.
 Heavy additions to national debts and consequent increase in taxation.
 Loss of prestige by nation suing for peace
 The conqueror would enjoy these fruits of victory:
 Additional territory. In case the United States triumphed, Island of Formosa; Europe especially Russia would oppose American succession of Japan as a pro- tector of Korea and occupation of Japan csc islands would be impossible.
 Tn case Japan were victors Philip pine Islands Guam, Tutuila, Hawaii and perhaps Alaska and Panama canal zone, though these last named are doubtful
 Increase in international prestige. Larger claim to control of Pacific ocean, which claim would be contested by the other great maritime nations.
 While the war and navy departments are making preparations which will in sure the United States being ready to d,send itself in the event of a Japanese rqs ... l.. J,ra a,,ta in government adopting a bellicose attituoe or taking measures which are apt to bring cn war. The dispatch of the flaet to the Pacific is a precautionary meas ure. and it is the desire to rob 1t or all unfriendly suggestion that is respon- sible for the ostensible ignorance of some officials regarding the proposed move ment ard of explanations of others that it may go anywhere but to the Pacific, and if it does go there, it will be merely for practice.
 Formal naval and military attaches in- formally discussed several days ago the purpose and effect of the action of the administration in sending a fleet around the hcrn. All agreed 1t was wise for the president to take this step, passing their opinion upon the advices received by their respective embassies from Tokyo. But al expressed the opinion that war would not come, for the simple reason that the United States had little to gain and Japan had a great deal to lose.
 Japan has insisted for years that un- der no circumstances would she take the Philippines Ambassador Aoki reiterated this two days ago. His government has troub enough with the natives of For mosa. It Is engaged in peacefully ex- tendin., it's control ofer the Pacific by long tsr tacles, which are routes of steam vessels are subsidized It is the inten- ton to facilitate the growth of the Japa- nese merchant marine in every possible way.
 If war should occur the first effort of the American cruisers would be to sweep the Japanese merchant flag from the ocean, An American merchant ma rlne does not exist Japan's cruisers woull find few ships that would be worth capture,
 Besides developing her merchant ma rine, Japan is seeking to introduce good government and content in Korea, Mar quis Ito her strongest statesman. is in Seoul, the Korean capital directing the progress of affairs. If war should break out tkere would be an insurrection in the H,imit kingdom. Russia unquestion- ably would foster it. China would seize