Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-03-30
J|XGO PAPERS UNRELIABLE
Not Able to Finance An
other War, but Strength
Grows, and National Spir-
it Is Courageous and Pat
riotic.

A few months ago i'm Toxic, Japan,
at dinner party given in the Imperial
hotel, the conversation turned To he
possibility Of the war between the
United States and Japan. A number of
representative business men Of both
countries were present. and he ques-
tion, asked BY a japanese merchant
dropped like a bomb into the gather
ing Turning To an American present
one Of the japanese asked:
What would be the result of war be-
tween Japan and the United states? 20
4 do not admit the likelihood Of
there being a war"
But if there should be-what would
be the RESULT"
For moment the American hest
tated. and replied. slowly.
We could raise five hundred mil
lions without Overtaxing our people.
w would have vast sums I" spend
in supporting our armies.
At the mention of the sum the Jap
anese puckered their mouths. as though
in admiration. Now let me ask you
a question" said the American. What
would you have for the war. should
there ever be once"
After a moments hesitation. the NOR
chant replied. impressively. we are
little. but we are mighty
That is the expression of the nation
al spirit of Japan. says Mr.. Charles O.
Major. who returned recently from the
Orient after spending seven years in
Japan. China and the Philippians. Dur
ing this time his headquarters was in
the port of Kobe. where he directed
the business Of his company. a large
eastern lubricating oil concern. which
had a large division of the government
contract for the oil used on United
States battleships. army transports and
government vessels touching at the
ports Of the Islands and China. In
carrying on his business Mr. Major
travelled all over Japan and the ad-
iacent islands. the Philippine islands
and the ports OF China. and his obser-
vatioRs on the condition. spirit and
general preparedness for war of the
japanese nation are given weight by
the fact that they are not given as
result of a brief trip through the Is
lands, but after a protracted stay. dur
ing which he became familiar with the
customs. the language. and the char
acteristies of the people When inter
by a reporter of The Republican, Mr.
Major said:
Considering the comparatively short
time which has passed since Japan
was freed from feudalism, the progress
made in the islands has been marvel
Gus. and is not in the least appreciat-
ed by the people Of the United states.
Certain yellow journals OF this coun-
9
anese. seem to have taken special pains
To misrepresent the conditions prevail
ing in Japan. and also to give inaccur-
ate accounts of the demonstrations
made there as result OF the legisla-
ton in the United States touching
japanese emigrants. There is also very
little known i'm this country as to the
readiness of the japanese for war The
reason | make these statements" said
Mr.. Major. is because we have been
receiving American papers i'm Japan,
and want to say that the inaccuracies
of the reports circulated in this coun-
try would do a great deal of harm 20
Americans and American interests in
Japan if it were not for the unfailing
courtesy of the people. AS 1T is, these
wild stories. for which there is. more
frequently than not, no ground what
ever. cause Americans in Japanese
cities no little discomfort and embar-
rassment''
When asked to give his opinion of
the probability of war between Japan
and the United states, Mr.. Major said:
4 do not believe that Japan has any
idea of going to war with our country.
for the double reason that fully 40 per
cent of her exports are handled here
and that she is not in a position to
gather funds for supporting another
war. Japan is practically bankrupt at
this time. Her people are taxed more
heavily per capita than any other race
one earth. and l. would be absolutely
impossible for her to finance another
war However. although the nation is
financially unfit TO take up arms
against any power such as the United
States. her strength is undeniable The
men of the country are born fighters.
and the ungrudging manner in which
they pay their exOrbitant taxes proves
them the most loyal and patriotic peo-
pie in the world. Vast sums are being
spent for armament. The five great
navy yards ofstfie country are located
on land-locked harbors, which are
practically impregnable. as the sur
rounding hills are fortified with the
most modern guns. and the entrances