The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-18

and self-assertiveness which Is cnar.
adteristic OF the Japanese will, II 1t
sees the opportunity. insist on the right
to go anywhere at any time. And thas
|.lish colonies, 1t therefore is but 9
diplomatic necessity that England
should uphold America In her de-
Termination to restrict Japanese I'M
Of kindred hood in uniting nations in
case of war, the interests OF the two
|Anglo-Saxon nations are Identical IN
the matter at stake.
But more than this. England knows
too We'll the might and power OF the
United States. Canada Is permanent
hostage for peace between the two
countries ..lr Our armies could strike the
her food supply. from there. Our own
food supply could be cut off from her
and privateers could prevent the wealth
OF India reaching her shores. 1t Is
But how much more would she hays
at stake! Though the sun never sets
on her possessions. neither does II ever
set on the opportunities to strike her.
to support a war for years and years
We could live hundred years without
buying dollars worth of stun from
abroad. Our power OF national en-
durance is beyond that OF both Eng
land and Japan. We have great deal
at stake IN case war should come, It
Is true. but not nearly so much as
England. II England and Japan could
certainly take willing Canada from
| them. and there are the British West
Indies at our door
beyond this Is to be remembered tho
fact that every republic on the Vest
ern Hemisphere has had its existence
guaranteed by the Monroe doctrine.
the. unfolding of which is essential to
their future security and the integrity
Il VA IY .lr.I mt
would be expected to contribute to
the UNFOLDING OF the power that has
oeen their greatest assurance against
foreign aggression. Add to this the
one or more OF those European powers
which are jealous Of England's sway
| OF the seas, and you have combina-
ton which even the British lion would
| not care to tackle.
| Another item which would add to
the situation would be the unrest OF
| India. It will be recalled that once
Engiand's war in India was one OF the
Uncle Sam. To-day revolt is in the
air in this same India. LIE, England
become engaged In an exhausting war
with the United States, and India Will
tunity to throw off the British yoke,
cutting herself off from the supplies
| and markets of the Western Hemis-
phere. and affording India her long
| toohtu lOr SEdHCe4 10 revolt, would he
so disastrous 10 England that 1t might
easily prove her undoing as a leading
| nation.
From whatever standpoint one takes
It, En- gland.s interests arc against war
with the United States. Such war
would be most disastrous to British
| welfare, and no one realizes this more
than the venerable John Bull The
not enter Into war with the United
states. or. give this country occasion
TO enter into a war with II. without
hrst consulting Great Britain. And It
Is not hard TO conclude what England's
answer would be. Her whole future
might depend upon that reply. When
the time comes for the choice to be
made. England's answer Will undoubt-
edly be an emnhatic straightout de-
claration against war with the United
States. The Japanese statesmen who
depend upon any other response will
be grievously disappointed.
England begins to see the day when
she cannot maintain her present naval
her policy to keep the British navy
Just a notch higher than the COM
bined strength OF any other two naves
In the world. Recently the war Min
ister stated to Parliament that he
doubted II the United Kingdom could
much longer maintain this policy. ow-
\ Ing to the fact that Germany and the
United States had embarked upon such
| large naval programs. He said to
keep the English navy up to such a
point would cause financial strain
greater than England could bear. 1t
was the necessity for economy in naval
defense that caused England to enter
into its alliance with Japan. but the
saving accomplished in this way has
been been more than offset by the trade
rivalry of the Japanese
The one great fact In the situation
Is that Japan. being an island Kingdom
like England, aspires to grow into
just such a trading and shipping ma
tIon as Great Britain. Whatever head
4 way 1t makes with this ambition will
be more at the expense of the English
than any other people Therefore, it
Is evident that Japan cannot succeed In
becoming the master OF Asia, and at
the same time be used to bolster un
British. supremacy in the same sphere.
So long as England continues to foster
Japan's ambition she is merely groom
Ing a dangerous rival for her own no.
sition In the Far East. - sf
| Copyright, 1908. by Frederic j.
/ @ Haskin) a
J TO- Morrow--Japanese In Seattle.