The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-06

the Japanese character and the condi- tions under which the Japs live have every reason to fear that some day and that in the not far distant future, Japan must, a matter of self preservation possess the Philippines. Japan is densely populated and increasing at the rate of 500,00O every year. The entire empire is about the size of the state of Kan sas, yet it supports a population of 48, 000,O00. Being of volcanic origin, only about one-third of it's area is available for cultivation, but the industrious and ! frugal Yankee of the East" has to some extent overcome this by making the solid rocks of its mountains productive. The writer has seen the Japs terrace the mountains to the tops and on these rocky shelves over which is spread a layer of soil plant their vegetables and small fruits. After a heavy rainfall the patient Jap will gather up the earth at the foot of the mountain that has been washed down its sides and patiently climb up it's steep slopes. spread the precious dirt over the numerous terraces and with pa- tient, watchful care, nurse his scanty garden. On account of this scarcity of land the Jap must be his own beast of burden. They cannot afford cattle or horses as they have not the land upon which to raise enough food to feed them. The Philippine islands have nearly eight times the territory of Japan and have only a scant 10O00,00O in population.
 Geographically the islands should be- long to Japan. The people are of a kin dred race and the Filipino likes the Jap much better than he does the American. The islands for over 300 years were a source of worry and expense to Spain. as they always have been and always will be to us. They are only three days from Yokohama, as transports travel, and 30 days from San Francisco or Se- attle There are 1000 Japs in Honolulu. 150, GOO on the Pacific coast of America 7S,000 in Canada and nearly as many in Mexico. It is estimated that 30 per cent of these people are veterans of the Rus sia-Japanese and Chino-J apanese wars. Japan has us far outclassed on the wa ters of the Pacific in naval power. She has 96 modern transports as compared to our six or eight converted English cattle steamers. About 20,000 of her sub jects are to be found in the Panama canal zone and what it will cost us hund- dreds of millions of dollars and F years of back breaking labor to build one Jap anese, with a little dynamite, can, in a few seconds, destroy. In 15 years Japan will have paid her war debt and in that time will have added seven and a half millions to her population.
 Judging by the progress she Is at pres ent making In coast defenses, in 10 years time it will be impossible for a hostile fleet to sail around the Island King dom without getting in range of a coast defense guu.
 When Japan chooses she can take the Philippines and after she takes them she can hold them. We cannot go over there and whip her any more than she can come over here and whip us. California alone, not to mention the other Pacific coast states, can be depended upon at any time to furnish the Japs with pre- text for seizing the Philippines. AL though heavily taxed the Japs are in tensly loyal to their Emperor. Every school and kindergarten contains a life size portrait of the Mikado. They con sider 1t the highest honor obtainable to be permitted to die for their country. In the Russo-Japanese war 6O0,0O0 Japs were in the field, but not a coward or traitor could be found among them. The writer