davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23
JAPAN TIGF1TENS
HER GRIP ON THE
COAST OF ASIA
Continued Military Activity Of the Japanese
Shows an Especially Significant Feature
Just Now in the Strong Naval Base
Which Has Been Established at Making,
Six Hundred Miles from Manila.

certainly cannot afford to go to war
now, and her government knows this.
But 1t sees with equal clearness the
necessity Of looking forward and the
necessity of making provision for the
things that may happen; or, to put 1t
differently, the wisdom of taking
measures to prevent what it is desired
should not happen.
Making harbor is in the Pescadores,
islands which lie in the 1OO-mile-wide
waterway that separates Formosa
from the Chinese mainland. It is
nearly 1000 miles from the nearest
naval base in the Japanese islands
proper, and is only about 600 miles
from Manila. Hitherto the island of
Formosa had been something of a bur-
den upon Japan. But her possession
of that island, together with her pos
session of Pescadores, has made pos
sible to Japan a strategic advance
which may fairly be compared for i'm
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23


able to threaten the commerce OF a
large part of western Europe, just as
1t now practically holds the club over
the whole foreign trade of Germany
and Russia and the Low countries. In
a precisely similar way the Japanese.
with naval stations stretching from
Korea to Making, have it in their
power, in Ease of need, practically to
stop the foreign trade Of China: and
in the event of war, this would prove
a weapon of the very highest impor.
lance. In the event of such a strug.
gle, it is highly improbable that japan
would consent to let pass unframed
merchant ships bound for Chinese
ports. The question would not be one
Of co%ntraband Of war. It would he
the wider question of Japan's allowing
therrassage of cargoes to her enemy
ports, there to pay customs duties into
her enemy's treasury, and thus to in.
crease her enemy's capacity for
waging a Unless she resorted to
commerce destruction, Japan would
make a positive gain in wealth by
this stoppage of commerce to Chinese
ports. But she would make a nre-
cisely equivalent gain by Gripping her
epemy's resources.-N. Y. Times.
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23

statement that in the first year Of the
Japanese administration China con-
tinued to enjoy the lions share of the
Formosan trade. Ten years later
Japan's trade with Formosa exceeded
the total trade Of Formosa with all
foreign countries. The foreign ex-
ports in 1904 were 12,391,124 yen, the
imports for the same year being H.
S3S,443 yen.
With Formosa and the Pescadores
already in her possession, Japan now
only needs the Philippines to complete
the chain Of islands guarding the entire
eastern seaboard of Japan. In the en-
tirely unlikely event Of the United
States giving up the Philippines and
trusting them to the tender mercies of
native government it is certain that
Philippine independence would be of
exceedingly brief duration. Few seri-
ously believe that the Filipinos are
capable Of managing their own affairs
without falling into a state of anarchy
that would early in the game demand
the forcible intervention of foreign
powers for the protection Of their citi-
zens in the islands.
Awaiting a Filipino Republic
Before Completing Program.
AS the history of the Samoan islands
illustrates very wildly, protection of
interests is exceedingly prompt when
there is anything to be gained by it;
and in tho nu0rf 0q tho 00rosr~ 0f a
wholly Independent Filipino republic,
it is safe to assume that Japanese in
terest in the islands would suddenly
reach a degree of Importance of which
there is no present sign. Germany, and
in a lesser degree France, have shown
an active disposition to accept such
Southern Pacific trifes in the way of
islands as were open to occupation, and
American abandonment of the Philip
pines would seem to promise the prob
ability of a struggle between Germany
and Japan for the possession of the
Philippines.
One obvious motive for Japan's
wanting the Philippines is the outlet
they would give for her emigration,
and the resources they would give
her. Manchuria and Korea, it is true,
are now absorbing a great portion of
Japanese energy, but no one is so rich
or so busy that he would refuse to
pick up money that he finds in the
street. And the Japanese development
of Making may well be taken as proof
that Japan is not unwilling to assume
such further enrichment as the prog
gress Of events may thrust upon her.
Controlling Chinese Com
merce a Possibility for Japan.
The relation of Japan and China as
regards strategic questions is curious.
ly like that of western Europe to the
British islands. The position of the
British islands makes the British fleet
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23

the lines from North America to east.
ern Chinese ports along the Hong
Kong lie either, between the Japanese
islands at the north, or through the
Ballfngtan channel, between Formosa
and Luzon. The trade routes from Eu-
rope to all Chinese ports along the
Hong-Kong lie in the space between
Formosa and China. A feet at Ma
kung would, therefore, have at its
mercy practically all the trade with
China north of Hong-Kong. Com.
merce destruction is charitably sup
posed to be a thing Of the past. Yet
1t commerce destruction v e showed
that it would turn the scale in a great
naval warfare it is not to be doubted
that belligerents would adopt it. But
ever short of commerce destruction,
the Japanese position at Making
would give Japanese warships a Pc
culiarly good chance to embarrass
commerce by search for %contraband.
Formosa Treated Differently
In Japan's Plans for Supremacy.
While it appears that Japan has
directed her chief energies toward the
establishment of a strong naval base
at Making, her efforts in Formosa
have been on an equal, though some
what different, scale. This was her
first effort at colonization, and shows
what the little brown men are capable
of. When China, after the stress Of
her war with Japan, ceded Formosa
to her conquerors the island was one
of the widest of all in that region,
savage head-hunters occupying most
of it's territory, and the few %seacoast
towns the embodiment of the worst
features of Chinese occupancy
squalid, filthy, out Of touch with civili-
cation, unprogressive. A recent WIS.,
itor to the island, who had been made
familiar with it prior to Japanese &C.
cupancy, testifies that there was little
or no machinery to carry out the work
of civil government. The treasury was
depleted, the records were in a state
of hopeless confusion, there had been
no attempt at sanitation, and the filth
and squalor of the towns were appal-
ling. The natives had grown accus-
toned to this state of affairs and were
~ill-suited for the system and order
which their new rulers seemed deter
mined to bring about.
Effects Of Japanese Rule
as Seen in Better Regulations.
Baron Shimpel Goto, a physician by
profession and formerly president of
the bureau of hygiene in Tokyo, is now
the civil governor of Formosa. He re-
Gently made an extended report of his
administration of the islands affairs.
In this he said that when Formosa
was placed under the sovereignty of
Japan a feeling Of anxiety was enter
tanned as to the effects of the new
regime. The recurring outbreaks of
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23

p%ortance to Japan with the advance
made by Russia when she reached Port
Arthur.
Its Marked Strategic Advan-
tages as a WeII-Protected Harbor.
From the point of view of protection
by land Notifications, Making bay is
exceptionally we'll situated. 1t has also
an outpost at Amping, on the south
west coast of Formosa, with which it
is connected by cable. The practical
value of this cable connection will be
evident if it is assumed that a Japan
csc fleet is lying at Making harbor in
wait for an enemy. In fact, the situa-
tion as it existed in the spring of 1905,
when the Russian fleet under Rojest-
vensky was making it's way toward
Jaran, is an excellent example by
which to test the question.
When the Russian fleet was ap-
preaching the Strait of Malacca, Japa-
nese scouts went far south through
the China sea to keep watch Of the
enemy's movements, but the main
fleet was of necessity kept in strictly
home waters, both because Of the ex-
istence of several avenues by which
the Russians might approach Vladi-
Vostok and of the extreme undesira-
bility of attempting to fight a battle
many hundreds of miles from a naval
base where necessary repairs could be
made or where the fleet could go into
retreat in case of defeat. 1t is quite
likely that Admiral Togo would not
have chosen to fight the Russian fleet
in the north of the China sea, even
had Making been a fully developed
base at that time. But if Making had
been so developed in 1905, it would
have been entirely practicable for
Togo to have met the enemy far from
Japanese waters.
Watching Straits of Formosa
an Easy Matter from Makung.
Any European fleet moving against
Japan would almost of necessity take
the course followed by the Russians
from the time they left the Indian
ocean; and from Making as a base,
Japan would be in a position to keep
close watch ove Formosa straits, Pes
cadores channel, and the passages to
the east between Formosa and the
Philippines. In the case of a German
fleet there would be an obvious ad-
vantage in giving battle in this region,
because the German fleet would then
be still far distant from it's only home
port in the east-Kiao Chow. German
warships which might have to take
flight, as some of the Russian cruisers
did after the battle of the Sea of
Japan, would have to take refuge in
neutral ports, where they would be in
termed during the rest Of the war.
From another point Of view Making
as a naval base would give Japan a
position of peculiar value in relation
to the great commercial routes. OF
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23
STONES HURLED AT SOLDIERS.
Chester Strike Sympathizers CHARGED
by Troops-Nobody Hurt.

Chester, Pa, Apr. 20.-The state po-
lice, who have been ordered here to
maintain order during the street car
strike, appear to have the situation
well In hand. Here and there occa-
sionally are small street fights, but
nothing approaching a riot has oc-
Cured since the troopers took charge,
The 60 or more troopers who camped
outside the city returned to town Sat
urday and were jeered by a small
crowd near the Edgemont street car
barn. Some of the strike sympathizers
hurled stones and sticks at the troop
ers, who charged into the crowd and
scattered it. No one was hurt.
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23
ESIDES heavily terrifying the
e island of Formosa, a part of the
territory which she had wrested

m ESIDES heavily fortifying the
X island of FOrmosa, a part of the
territory which she had wrested
from China after her triumph
over that nation, Japan has now estab-
lished a strong naval base at Making,
a harbor in the Pescadores. Making
lies about 600 miles distant from Ma
Mia, and Japan's purpose in establish
ing a naval base at that place is the
most interesting feature Of the work in
which she has recently been engaged.
Against what nation will she make
use of Making as a base?
What Could Be Done with Making
as a Base Against the Philippines.
The first suggestion-and one that
seems to be particularly, natural in
view of our present relations with
Japan-is that Making would serve as
q base of operations against the
Philippines. The nearest American
naval base to the Philippines is Ha-
wall, 4,s00 miles away. With Ma.
kung only 600 miles from Manila, the
Japanese fleet would have obviously a
great advantage over an American
fleet, supposing that the operations
would take place in the neighborhood
of Manila. And certainly, unless the
United States proceeds much more
rapidly in the future than it has in the
past with the building of a complete
naval station in the Philippines, the
japanese will have superior repair
facilities at Making.
In the case also Of an attempt by
Japan to occupy the Philippines with
troops, Making harbor would make an
admirable hiding place and protection
for transports, which would be out Of
reach of an American fleet in case the
Japanese warships were defeated in
battle, and which could be readily
brought to Manila and other Philippine
ports in the event of a Japanese naval
victory.
This is a possibility that naval Off
GERS in Washington have been quick to
e and appreciate. There is no actual
belief that Japan intends war-at pres
ent. Yet the existence Of a powerful
naval base at Making, occupied by a
nation of great naval efficiency, and a
nation which would also profit greatly
by possession Of the Philippines, is
naturally considered a matter of i'm.
portance to this country.
japan is heavily In debt. and she
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23
Residence of Govern or General, Formosa.

Japan's struggle for dominion, be that
struggle for commercial supremacy or
for military success.
What Japan has been doing with
these outlying possessions becomes
therefore a subject which at the pres
ent moment must have a peculiar in
tcrest. Realizing this the New York
Times has made an exhaustive inquiry
into the matter and herewith presents
the results of its Investigations.
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23

~ HOSE observers who have
= made a study of Japan's
policy, long ago became i'm.
pressed with her apparent
determination to be the
dominant nation of the
east, to control Asia and to enthrone
Nippon as mistress of the entire ORR
ent. That the Pacific will be the
theater of the great commercial wars
of the future, If It is not the scene of
conflict Of some other nature, has also
been freely predicted.
Thanks to the territory which she
wrung from the conquered in her two
recent wars, Japan has now al almost
unbroken Gordon strung along the
great eastern seaboard of China. A
glance at the appended map will show
her chain Of island possessions reach
Ing southwark as far as Formosa and
the Pescadores, a chain Of isles which
are reckoned as Of vast Importance in
The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-04-23
WHEN YOU WANT %E S:st 4! Is! z ::
kind We DO, and at the right prices. Give III
bone printer the same chance you would AJAX t1
the homo merchant-trads at home.

If you are a business man,
did you ever think of the field
of opportunity that advertis-
ing opens to youl There Is
almost no limit to the posi-
bilities of your business if you
study how to turn trade into
your store. If you are not get
ting your share of the business
of your community THERE'S a
reason. People 60 where they
are attracted = where they
knov what they can get and
how much It Is sold for. If
you make direct statements In
your advertising see to it that
you are able to fulAll every
promise you make. You will
add to your business reputa-
ton and hold your customers.
It will not cost a. much to run
your ad in this paper as you
think. 1t is the persistent ad-
vertiser who gets there. Have
something in the paper every
issue, no matter how small.
We will be pleased to quote
you our advertising rates, par
tleularly on the years bust
ness.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-10
OIL GETS
ANOTHER RAILROAD
sRocKEFELLER AND COHORTS Sc.
CURE NORFOLK q SOUTHERN.

Norfolk, Va, April 9.-The Ledger
Dispatch today says:
Standard Oil and Rockefeller inter.
ests have become identified in a large
financial way with the Norfolk &
Southern railroad, owning over 200
miles Of valuable property through the
extensive lumber district of east
North Carolina and the original plans
for further development Of the road
including the building Of the longest
railroad bridge in the world over Al
bemarle sound, will now be carried
out.
The large interest money due on
the bonded Indebtedness Of the Nor.
folk & Southern in May is now in
hand and will be promptly paid. There
will be no receivership for the prop
erty. The roads financial trouble was
brought on as q result Of the dihicul-
ties Of the Trust Company Of North
America and the Knickerbocker Trust
company Of New York.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-10
Chicago Grain and ProvIsIons.

Chicago Grain and Provlslons.
Chicago, April 9.-Wheat opened II
regular, the May option being firm
and the distant deliveries weak. Free
buying Of May by elevator interests
held the market Arm until about noon.
July and September were weak all
day because Of reports regarding the
outlook for fall sown crops. The mar
ket. closed weak. May opened &c
lower to Nc higher at 91A to 91M
and closed at 89A.
Corn was strong for the greater
part Of the day. May opened &c lower
to nc higher at 67h to CTS, sold at
67h and then declined to 66#,. The
close was at 81. a
Oats opened firm but weakened
later because Of the break In wheat
and closed steady. May opened Nc
higher at 52M, sold at 57M@53,a and
closed at 52h@52M.
e, Provisions inclined to weakness.
May pork closed OF 27kc, lard un.
changed and ribs &c lower.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-10

&MNNNNlMH N fh8&#N N4EAW
portion Of the state. While some Of
the Taft supporters In Butte and
Helena are for instructing the delega-
ton to the Chicago convention, It is
hard to find a leading republican in
eastern Montana, who is for an In.
structed delegation. OF all the promi-
nent political leaders In the party in
eastern Montana, who have been In
terviewed by the representatives OF
this paper since 1t announced its op.
position to sending an instructed del.
egation to the national convention,
but few have been found who are
against US. If the republican leaders
in other sections Of the state would
take a trip into eastern Montana they
would be surprised as the strong senti.
ment in this section of the state that
is opposed to an instructed delegation
and the sentiment in favor Of Cover.
nor Hughes of New York. The Belfry
News, the Forsyth Journal, the Daw.
son County Review, the Hardin Trib.
une and several other prominent re-
publican newspapers Of eastern Mon
tana have come out boldly against an
instructed delegation to Chicago.
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-10
PLAN
DOLLAR DINNER
CONTINUED from First Pase.)

ditions are favorable for a large dis
tributing center here. From Fargo
to Butte on the Northern Pacific there
are no large cities or distributing
points. With favorable treatment at
the hands Of the railroads. there is
every reason to believe that this city
should be the distributing point and
railroad center OF a large area"
In speaking Of the Billings Chamber
Of Commerce. Of which he is a mem
Der, Mr.. Shepherd said: THE Bill
ings Chamber Of Commerce is pre-
parel to take up the fight Of any In
u'vidua! and conduct 1t az q general
fight Instead Of an Organization for
the support Of the real estate men. as
is enormously supposed by those who
are mt familiar with the work OF the
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-10
New York Stock Market.

1a Ia N0W YVFk 0GOGk M&TkGIs l
New York, April 9.-The bewilder.
ment in which the financial world has
been cropping for over a week over
the Erie problem was amply explain
ed by the disclosures over night Of
the extent to which the principals in
the working out Of the. problems has
been confused In their intentions and
open to the failure of the whole prof.
ect. !,
Any assumption that the Erie bank
ers had not safeguarded their plans
by measures to take part Of the I'M
asserting notes in addition to having
assured themselves of the assent Of
a %suficient number Of note holders
have been met4by the assertion that
"a desire to force a yeceivership for
the company would be a fair infer
'ence from such a state OF affairs.
That the Erie stock was saved from
a r~eceivership and that the advance
of relief funds expressed confidence
not only in the property, but In the
financial prospect in general, were the
results summed to be accepted from
the episode as a whole. These condi-
tions affecting the stock market were
of slow growth and were not unin-
terrupted.
Depressing influences we're a de-
cline in London copper and assertions
that q cut in steel products was in
contemplation. United States Steel
was affected by those reports and
did not share largely in the rally in
prices. Discussion is heard in the
financial districts whether a cut in
steel prices would not be a factor
making for Improvement Of the out
look more eficacious than the hold
ing of prices in faces Of q curtailed
consumption. Some Of the notable
advances were due to special causes.
The rise in Brooklyn transit was
attributed to its increased prospects
for traflc by reason Of the. defeat OF
the Albany bill against race track
gambling. Foreign exchanges ad-
vanced sharply.
Sterling exchange at Paris declined
and gold continued to 60 out to Paris
from London Increasing the likelihood
Of shipments from New York to Paris
on the triangular operation.
Bonds were Arm. Total sales, par
value, $4,950.00 0 United States bonds
were unchanged. .4s
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-10
NO jim GROW CARS.

The justice Of President Roose.
velt's instructions to the department
Of Justice to proceed against the
southern railroads and compel trans
portation companies south Of the
Mason and Dixon line to furnish col.
ored passengers with as good accom-.
modations as white passengers is ap.
parent. The most rabid denouncer
OF the colored c can not take ex.
ceptionnto the presidents action. The
colored man is entitled to just as
much for his labor and for his money
as the white man.
1t is a we'll known fact that the &C.
commodations furnished to southern
negroes who pay first class fare are
far inferior to those furnished white
passengers. This discrimination
against the colored race is undoubt.
eddy unjust. The interstate commerce
commission has declared that the
southern railroads should furnish the
same accommodations for white and
colored passengers. The commission
permitted the railroad companies to
furnish separate apartments, but de.
cided that one race must receive as
much for the same amount Of money
as the other.
Nearly all the southern railroads
have paid no attention to the order.
The instructions Of the president to
the department of justice to enforce
the order by mandatory writs should
have the desired effect of compelling
the railroad companies to treat col.
ored passengers with the same consid.
GRAFTON white ones r given.
There is nc attempt being made to
amalgamate the two races. The in.
terstate commerce commission and
the department of justice realize that
It is vel. to segregate them. But IN.
der the laws Of this nation and the
fourteenth amendment to the consti.
tuition the colored man is entitled to
the same consideration. 80 long as he
The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-10

MI. Taft left himself open in his
criticism of w. j. Bryan and the dem
ocratic orator landed q solar plexus.
The only difference between Bryan
and Taft. so far as securing q nomina-
ton is concerned, is that nj Is fore
ing himself on the party while the
other has his friend do the forcing.
It's a difference in methods, that is
all.