Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1911-04-05
HAS But ONE ALTERNATIVE
INTERNATIONAL CANCELLATION
IN NOT DISTANT FUTURE
INEVITABLE
The FOLLY OF ARMAMENTS
MANUFACTURERS OF IMPLE-
MENTs OF WAR WORKING ON
PATRIOTISM OF PEOPLE

San Francisco, April 5.-Peace
propaganda is beginning to make some
progress in Japan, according to Baron
d'Estournelles de Constant, the dis
tinguished French scholar who has
been advocating the cause Of interna-
tional conciliation during an extended
tour of this country.
"One of our Objects" he said in
speech here last night, "is to establish
connections in all countries so as to
obtain acceptance for our ideas under
the auspices of the most eminent men.
Japan is in the throes of serious
crisis. No one has greater admira-
ton than ourselves for the master
pieces created by her artists, the he
roic bravery of her people and her
high moral aspirations. But at the
same time her futrue inspires un-
easiness in us and others. She might
exercise a magnificent moral and civ
ilizing influence not only in the far
east but in the world. Will she give
UP this ambition to follow the same
course, mistaken course, as modern
Europe? Will she disdain the glory OF
uplifting the Asiatic mind and making
it an example Of progress: will she
sacrifice her noble mission as a guide
to the paItry ambition Of becoming
military nation? The laurels gather
ed by Napoleon have already cost
France dear enough and are they to
disturb the tranquility Of Americans,
Germans and japanese? The future
will belong only to those who can
hold out against such feverish desires
and who can give up the idea of dom
mating others while at the same time
dominating themselves. Wars OF con-
quest belong to an age that is dead
and gone, and the people will not al
low it to be revived.
Unfortunately Europeans only see
the surface of things in Japan, and
the same is true of Europe as seen by
the japanese. The latter think they
have seen everything and they can
give an opinion of everything in Eu-
rope when they have paid the custom
airy visit to the great cannon fac
tories at Creuset and Essen. They
would learn a great deal more by TAX
ing a look at our country districts
where our national life is in process
of slow elaboration. In any case
japan is considered, rightly or wrong
ly. as hostile to peace propaganda and
as a more or less distant danger to
peace. For this reason we have asked
our distinguished friend and cores
pondent Mr.. Miyaoka to set down. his
impressions in all sincerity and with
out undue optimism.
His reports show that while Japan
ia a long way from being won over
to the cause of international arbitra-
ton, her people are nevertheless be-
ginning to realize that this cause is
pre-eminently national and patriotic.
Many leading men see that the high
est interest of every state is to avoid
the worn-out traps set by chauvinism
Everyone understands that while pro
per means must be taken to protect
the country from attack, a govern
. men must also try to organize inter
national justice and the maintenance
of peace which is an essential condi
, ton of internal prosperity. On this de
/. pends the development of labor, agri
: culture, industries, commerce and out
' putin a word, progress of ever
= kind.
i ITO such reasonable men we sui
h nit a reasonable and disintereste
s scheme. There are others who
D about counteracting our Influence, IL
e creasing the general state of unres