Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-02-18
L. A. WISENER, EDITOR
DO THE JAPS WANT WAR?

Today the questions seriously asked in America by
intelligent citizens: Does Japan seek trouble with the United
States? Is she plotting and schemng dominate the Pacific
at any cost? Does ultimately intend close the "open
door, in Asia, seize the Philippines and the Hawaiian
lands and finally to descend the coasts of America?
If Captain obson is to be credited she intends to do
all these things but the statesman and
the intelligent Japanese people who today engaged
working the stupendous problems of every which
confront their naton these questions heard with
ment They fail understand the reasoning which attributes
to Japan desire to commit suicide They cannot moreover
with proper self respect take all the world their con-
hdence and explain just why they do 90 to war
with the United States dgned denial of the motives
and ambitions attributed them and reiteration of
tegrty of their purposes far they feel called upon 60
The impartial observer however, who visits Japan need feel
no in telling the truth and the whole truth
1t borne him. He may, the contrary find special
pleasure in ankness of speech after having satisfied himself
of the sincerity of Japanese friendship America as mani
tested in many different ways.
Let assume, tor moment that Japan sincere in
her expressions of friendship for America and that look
ing for pretext for Here some of the reasons
which must give her pause:
First the question of finance The Japanese people are
present carrying heavy debt and aborng under burden
OF taxation which would stagger less patriotic nation A
war with the United States with other
power would put drain the resources Japan which
would threaten national bankruptcy morally certain that
the money for aggressive not be at
and it equally certain that could obtained abroad
Neither England France Germany would finance a
war which had for its avowed purpose the humbng Of
America Such refusal need necessarily be based on any
special feeling of friendship for United States It would
rest upon the mer base of sefnterest the establishment
or Japanese supremacy America would be looked upon
the orernner OF further trouble for the white Europe
turn would come next and the "yellow PERIL would loom
large Furthermore japan trying many costly experiments
at present IN internal government public improvements
the equipment of her military and naval arms in BUILDING
railroads. ships and DOCKS and she needs every dollar of her
resources in the prosecution of these enterprises Times are
hard at present Japan The money srngency under which
all the world has been grooming during the past two
bears heavily upon her She has much the deveon
ment OF commerce. trade and industry before she can indulge
IN the luxury OF carrying chip her shoulder Wealth is
the rock which nations of the first rank must found their
Ciain and no nation understands this better than Tapan
ere alone are reasons enough for dsmssing the idle talk
about war. But there Others
Russia is still to be reckoned with No student of the
oriental situation has been all msed by the treaty of Ports
mouth That agreement might better have termed an
amstc-a mere postponement of the inevitable struggle
which to There is reason to believe thar The
Illuminating defeats suffered by the Russian Bear during the
late war have altered the of Russian des
tiny The war has simply called temporary halt Russia
VIII continue to seek the and she will patiently bde her
time Tor vengeance and the recovery lost PRESTIGE
war with America would be her opportunity Does + seem
PROBABLE that Japan blind this or that she would de-
hoeratey seek quarrel with distant and powerful foe while
nearer one consumed with
crouchng at her very doors?
There is further to be considered the III will, o ch;, a
ne acontent Korea both of which would present serons
nome problems in the event that Japan should have foreign
war on her hands. There to the s,
auons which might be created for Japan in her own mmedi
'c neghoorhood in she occupied with foreo
NO longheaded craftsmanship required to see this r.
De perfectly patent the
mat under present conditions nothing short of defensive
Tor national existence could justify an appeal to