The Detroit times., 1913-05-05
SAYS uncle SAM
WOULD LOSE IN F..
WAR WITH JAPAN.
w. l.. Comfort Declares Nippon
Kingdom Could Grab Away
the Philippines Easily
CAN WHIP US MAN FOR
MAN ON NEUTRAL GROUND
Detroit Author Pays Tribute to
Fighting Qualities of Orien-
tails Before Lawyers Club

Were Japan to go to war over the
present anti-Japanese agitation In
California. she would take the Phil
ippines and hold them In spite OF the
United States, according TO Will l.
Comfort, a Detroit author and for
mer war correspondent. who spoke
before the Lawyers club. OF Detroit
at Saturday noon luncheon IN the
Fellowcraft club.
There Is one and only one per-
feet way for Uncle Sam out OF his
unenviable relations with the now
cry kingdom. says Mr. Comfort. and
that is TO sell. give away or pay
some other power 10 take over the
Philippine is lands. 4.
by all means let us sever con-
nection with that softening cluster
of oriental grapes. We cannot do II
by setting them free at this time
with Japan ready 10 take possession.
1t would show yellow streak.
Therefore. say. let some other
power have them II we have TO give
a bonus
with regard to the California sit
uation. the Native Sons are absolute
" correct in their estimate OF the
japanese so far as their own peace.
prosperity, beauty and integrity are
concerned They are absolutely right
In denying them lands and privileges
OF all kinds.
And yet California, as a unit OF
these states. is arrogantly and with
headstrong purpose plunging this ma
ton into eventualities which would
Inevitably entail at least loss OF
prestige.
h, Japan is now at the stage OF ruff
fianism. She is l6 years old among
the powers, and has every cruelty OF
the boy. She is monkeyminded.
rapaclous and Unsuitable. She has
her new war toys; they have worked
we'll and she itches TO try them
again. She loves better than life
the feeling OF using them upon the
white man from whom she learned
the art OF action OF the old game OF
imperialism.
The weakest point about the SOL
diers of Nippon is Workmanship,
but perhaps, that judgement is an
illusion due TO the wact that marks
manship is now mathematical
science. and Orientals. are not sup
posed 10 be versed In this. The little
brown man can take the field on
lightest rations. stay longest. and II
he misses a meal he looks upon 1t as
a fast which is good for his health
His morale Is good because he
doesn't think OF home. his children
or the danger he runs. but is abso-
lutely obedient.
Remembering the days OF the
sixties, the American takes IL for
granted that all we would have 10
do would be to take vacation and
sweep those rice eaters off their ter
raced islands. tell you that II we
had standing army, ii could not
meet the Japanese on a neutral field.
man for man.
II have seen our boys in the field
when there was general hell to pay
because there were three men down
in company Contrast that with
the battle Of Sept. 3. 1904. in the
Nanchurian campaign. when General
0k'' three times threw 10000 mer
against a position which he knew 70
be impregnable merely as a matter OF
strategy.
"Ten thousand OF those men were
left on the field. not counting many
who crawled away II an American
general should 80 pour out the blood
OF the boys In blue. the women OF the
nation would tear down the capitol
in Washington.
"If Japan should start something.
what would we do? We would get
whipped, that's what would happen.
The attack upon the Philippines
would be so easily won II would be
a Joke. believe ut this hour Admi-
raj Togo knows the Philippine har-
bors better than any American ad-
miral.
Gould we win back the Islands
Would you go out to help do It? II
you would, we would have a chance.
but you wouldn't What do / get
out OF IT, you would ask, and then
say. Let the other fellow 60
well we cannot whip the Japan
csc with the other fellow. We are
a great nation OF individuals; our
emancipating women made us such.
But we appreciate our Importance as
individuals too much to 90 to war for
the glory of the fatherland."
The whole Philippine question In
Mr.. Comforts belief Is at best one of
prurient politics. He likened II to
"a bit OF politics quite as nasty in our
own city" referring to Mayor Marx .
determination to replace Police Com
missioner. Croul.