The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-03-27
The Truth About Japan.

In a Lecture with the above title which
he delivered In Springfield. Mass. last
Sunday the Rev. DR.. THOMAS Z. 0RKEN.
lately returned from q visit to the Far
East. said impressively that the truth
about Japan was that abe did not want
war with the United States He had
some authority for the statement be-
cause he had interviewed every member
OF the Japanese Cabinet. also Admiral
TOGO and Field Marshal OYAMA. about
the relations Of Japan and the United
States
The esteem Of the japanese for the
American people did not have the chief
place in DR.. GREEN'S testimony. but he
thought the significance Of the fact that
one OF the greatest celebrations in Japan
was the anniversary Of tho arrival Of
Commodore PERRY should be admitted
by fair minded Americans Japan. he
had learned. would be reluctant. no mat
ter what the provocation. to engage in
war with any nation for ten yearH be-
cause her financiers agree that il viii re-
qsire az least a. long . period to scale
down her inordinate national debt.
Only by prOdigiOus development Of
MANUFACTURES and resources and the
most rigid economy can she expect TO
ease he great burden from a back bent
double beneath the weight OF IT, With
the United States more than any other
Power Japan breads q state 81 war. for
her statesmen are Impressed by the vast-
ness and availability Of the resources
OF this country Ruin for Japan. her
~ statesmen believe. could be- the only re-
suit Of war in which an initial success
by the japanese navy or army would
count for little Her economists I'm
derstand Ia illustrate the national good
sense in the matter. that the value Of
our American corn crop would repre-
sem the cost Of fifIy-seven hattleships
of the sire and power Of the North
Dakota In a composition in warShip
building Japan would fall behind al
onCe. and il war must come Il WosIld he
a naval war: ~ least sea power would
finally dec,de IT,
But Japan IN her neW deals 10 q CON-
as the nited States 10 her best customer.
taking more Japanese products than any
other nation and supplying her with
Cheaply carried goods that arc essen
: lal IA her welfare. the commercial class
would regard a conflict with the I nited
nation prevailed. and on that score the
great japanese merchants have no
illusions The Chinese situation also
receIVe- grave consideration in Japan.
where European coalition 20 dismem-
Der China - still a ghost that walks.
influence pot.nt IN China. knowing that
the United States sets it, face like flint
against European intrigue involving the
integrity 81 China Moreover, japanese
statesmen. looking into The future.
would prefer to see China expand along
agricultural and industrial lines. AMI
they hope that American influence will
promote such n development China
as a great military nation. persuaded
10 such destiny bv sinister counsel.
looms like a menace io Japan With her
inferior population.
japanese naval expansion Is - de-
liberate and comparatively economical
that u hears out DR. GREENS message
The truth about Japan. he says. is that
she does not want war with the United
States or with any other rival in the
Pacific AZ the present time she has
one DreadnOuRht under trial, one near
ing completion. and two building. also
one armored cruiser Of IS.000 tons DIS
placement under trial and one not vet
ready. three protected cruisers Of 5000
tons have been ordered This ~ her
building programme. and compared with
that 81 Great Britain. Germany. the
United States Or France IL does not
signify nervousne~s about the designs
~ the other navalpowers, and certainly
IL hears no construction Of menace TO the