Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-03-21
JAPAN PREPARING FOR WAR
WATCHING MOVEMENTS or BIG
FLEET WITH SUSPICION
It's Navy Placed on War Footing--fts
Army Pus into shape-An,mu
milton Purchased.

ssf~'~es - Sttt~~ ~
Washington, March 1S.--Japan is
preparing for war. No doubt any
longer exists. In administration circles
as to that fact What activity OF the
Mikado's government may mean IS far
less certain. II may indicate one OF
several eventualities. but as to the
main question there il no doubt.
Information reached this govern
ment months ago that Japan was ex-
ercised about the trip Of the great At
lantic feet to the Pacific OF course,
the diplomatic. exchanges between.
America and Japan concerning the
trip were openly friendly and ami
cable. Japan even went so far as to
express qualification that Admiral Fy
ans fleet was to visit the Pacific and
perhaps call at some japanese ports.
It has been evident, however, ever
since the fleet started on its long
cruise that the Japanese were watch
ing it's movements closely. The Orien-
tai suspicion was aroused. The east
ern nations Enthusiastically are al
ways looking for "the bug under the
chip" The Japanese particularly never
take anything for granted They have
to be shown. Suspicious by nature and
willy by instinct they alwavs are on
the lookout for the thing they would
be likely to do in the same set of cir
cumstances. Absolute frankness is I'M
known to them.
Until within a week or two, howey-
er, the Japanese government consist
entlyaeould do little without arousing
an apprehension that II entertained a
sinister regard of the American fleets
movements. Then. the Tatsu Maru in
cident gave it just the opportunity for
which it had been cropping. With a
friendly flourish about possible war
with China, the Japanese hurriedly be
gan military and naval preparations.
It's navy was placed on war footing,
immense quantities of ammunition and
supplies were placed on board all yes
sells; it's army began to whip itself
into shape for any result that might
come; and various important war
ships were dispatched under secret or
ders.
ut is incredible" said an official of
the state department, "that all these
preparations should be making for
possible trouble with China over an
incident like that of Tatsu Maru. 1t
was a mere customs case which doubt
less, could be adjusted without fric-
ton. China will have to apologize and
perhaps pay an indemnity; but there
really is little chance of serious
trouble over the case The incident
has afforded Japan an opportunity,
however. to get itself in readiness to
meet any situation that NAV arise in
Pacific waters concerning the visit of
the American fleet"
iidl appears W bS Ill liipci a. view
Of the matter. Japan is not preparing
so much for China as for America. The
chances are that no trouble will arise,
but the shrewd Japanese do not pro-
pose to be caught mapping if difficulty
should arise suddenly They recall, for
instance, the fact that they them
selves took the Russians unawares, at
the beginning of the Russo-Japanese
war, and they do not propose to be
caught in the same trap. Their prep
arations prove simply that they do
not, and cannot, understand the Amer
lean way of doing things.
In the view of many diplomats here,
the danger. if any exists. lies in this
very fact With their suspic 'ons on
wire edge. the Japanese might con
clude TO take the initiative in the maxi
ing of trouble. although the consensus
of opinion among diplomats in Wash
ington is that no difficulty is likely to
result from the cruise of the Ameri-
can feet to the Pacific unless it should
be precipitated by an unfortunate and
unforeseen incident
BUILDING NEW SHOP