The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-27
Report That Mikado Would
Resent a United States Pa
cific Fleet Incites Rage at
Washington.
BELIEVE THAT JAPAN
LOOKS FOR TROUBLE
Lands Bill for a Presidential
Summer Home Meets With
Favor-0ther Gossip of the
Capitol.
BY Sheldon s. Cline.


Washington. Feb. 27.-Indignation is
expressed in all official circles in Wash
ington at the reported intimation from
Japan that the Tokyo government
would regard an increase of American
naval strength in the Pacific as an ag-
gressive act against that country.
While there is no authoritative confir-
nation of the report it appears to be
given wide credence. 1T is in thorough
keeping with Japan's intolerable af-
frontery ever since her war with Rus
sia." declared a senator from a far
western state.
Would Resent Action.
II 1t be true that Japan has made
such representations to the Washing
ton government, the assembling of a
considerable battleship fleet in Pacific
waters may be regarded as almost a
forgone conclusion. In the present
frame of mind Of those in authority
the disposition would be to send the
fleet not only to the Pacific but to Phil
ippine waters, were there a base there
adequate for such force.
IF ever the policy of a nation re-
minded one of man looking for
trouble said the senator quoted above,
that nation is Japan. 1t would be a
great calamity il we should have to go
to war, but unless some friendly power
gives Japan some good advice I don't
see how war can long be averted. II
Great BNtain wants to be of real serv-
ice to her ally she ought to send some
one to Tokyo to have a heart to heart
talk with the Mikado's ministers of
state. !
Favor Lands Bill.
Despite the financial stringency with
which the United States treasury is
afflicted, senator's and representatives
are very favorably disposed toward the
bill introduced by Representative Lam
dis. of Indiana, appropriating $3.50
600 for the purchase or requirement of
land and the erection of a summer
home for the president. The bill pro-
vides that the home shall be erected
at West Point. New York, either on
land now owned by the government or
purchased for the purpose.
While the general proposition is al
most unanimously approved, the spe-
cific selection of West Point meets with
opposition. the opinion prevailing that
the matter of site ought to be left open.
Annapolis. Maryland, the ancient
capital Of the republic. already is for
warded with claim to consideration,
and other communities are bound to be
heard from.
The idea of an official and permanent;
summer capital" has long been ad-
vocated, but has now for the first time
taken concrete form. The climatic
conditions of Washington make sum-
mer migration by the presidential fam
lily almost imperative. and under pres
ent conditions the President has to pro-
vide and maintain this summer home
at his own expense.
Official Homes the Rage.
Bills for building official homes. in
fact. seem to be quite the rage this
winter. Representative j. Adam Boz
do, of Minnesota. has in a measure ap-
propriating 100000 for the erection in
Washington of homes for the vice pres
ident and the speaker of the house. No
doubt this will be done in time, but
sentiment either in or out Of congress
is not yet educated up TO it. Official
homes for members of the cabinet also
have been urged. but congress has
never been able quite to see this pro-
ject.
Some progress is being made toward
providing official residences for our
| ambassadors and ministers abroad.
but there appears great reluctance to
vote money for even this very neces-
sary matter.
For Supreme Court.
A start is likely to be made by the
| next congress on building a home for
the United States supreme court. bills
for purchasing the site being now
pending in both senate and house. The
site proposed is the square directedly
east of the capitol opposite and CORE
spending to the one occupied by the Ii
brary OF congress.
When the site is acquired and the
building erected the capitol will be en-
tirely flanked by imposing structures.
The library and supreme court build
ings viii face it from the east The
northeast front already is occupied b.
the senate office building and the
southeast front by the house office
building. If the bills for acquiring the
land between the capitol grounds and
the Union Station plaza goes through,
the north of the capitol will be open
to the station. These improvements
| will make Capitol Hill one of the most
beautiful and imposing spots in the
world.
Was a Hard Blow.
President Roosevelt's announcement