The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-04-30
GEN HOMER LEAFS FORECAST.


threats.
GEN. HOMER LEAFS FORECAST.
II is natural that army men should In
this sensational time OF strenuonsness
over the California situation, revert TO
the bool, printed by Gen. Homer Lea
some wears ago. ''The Valor of lgno-
rance" Gen. Lea pointed out the nm
nreparedness Of the United States for
war with Japan, which is chronic
condition with US so far as any war Is
concerned. and he made out pro-
gramme of conquest by the Japanese
which on paper read like the easy work
ing out OF mathematical problem. In
his book Gen Lea devoted his attention
TO the general proposition that war be-
tween the United States and Japan is
probable, pointing out the first lncltlng
cause as the motive to dominate the Pa
cific. Next (see page 40 and onward)
he considers In chapter full OF practi-
cal forecast the immediate causes that
might bring on that war. He considered
that "this Republic and Japan are ap-
preaching carelessly on the one hand
and predetermined on the other, that
point Of contact which is war; And
his idea was that Japan would take no
steps to bring on that war until she is
fully prepared for it. In this particu'
lar phase of his work, Gen. Lea is evi-
IDENTIFY at fault, for it is certain that
Japan would not deliberately choose the
present time to spring war with the
| United States. because she hasn't the
money necessary for war, and can t get
| it,; and the revenge Of Russia would be
open at once upon the declaration of
such a war.
| But as TO the causes that would prob.
ably bring on war with Japan, Gen.
| Lea states them with a forecast that ls
remarkably close. He notes the disa
bilities under which the japanese labor
| in this country by reason of their non
assimilability, through disabilities un-
der the law, the impossibility of their
becoming fully identified with this
country, both because Of our refusal to
allow them to be naturalized and be.
cause of their indissoluble allegiance to
the Mikado. And he considers the like
| lihood Of States passing adverse legis-
latiop which might be construed TO be
against the treaty stipulations and
that would certainly place the jap
anese under further disabilities than
they already are. On this Gen. Lea
says (pages lS0-l81):
The recognition of the fact by Japan
that so long as Japanese residents In
this nation We're denied electoral rights
they would suffer indienities and injus-
tice. led the Imperial Government to de-
| mand those rights of na turaIization
In addition, Japan dcmanded--as exist
Ing treaties give her the unquestioned
right TO do--that her people be accorded
the Same rights. privileges, and immuni-
nations. These demands give rise to the
consideration OF four separate condi-
tions.
G) The attitude OF the people of the
Pacific States toward the Federal Gov.
ernment II the Japanese arc granted
these demands.
ese. 10 what degree their antipathy and
beligerency may be aroused against
them
(3l If the Federal Government, &C.
quiescing to the West. refuses 10 grant
the Japanese demands. local injustice
and additional restrictions Will. taking or
new vieor. be directed against then
throughout the States OF the Pacific
Coast
a. Japan, recognizing the fact tha
in a republic domestic legislation take!
precedence over questions involving for
eign nations. will not make positive
. demand for the fulflment OF these OBJ
legations until prepared for war Sh'
can thus. determine the outbreak Of th'
/ until conditions are favorable to her fo
the commencement OF hostilitIes.
J The people of the United States &C
right along without any regard to either
tho feelings, the interests. or the pride
Of the Japanese. and at the same time
| they refuse to prepare for the conse
queuces Of this Indifference and neg
lect. This causes Cen. Lea to say Csc,
page 1889:
Strangely oblivious to the miTitsn
e character OF the Japanese. to the vas
military and naval power In their hands
, | to the spirit OF conquest In their bosoms
. to their predetermined struggle with IN
I Republic for sovereignty over the Pa
2 cific n portion OF the American peopI
2 go on indefinitely each day adding ne'
Q provocations to precipitate a conflict
! | and yet with the utmost unconcern max
: no preparations for II. This indifference
and lack OF preparation has as much I
{ do with fastening the conflict As ha
. the positive circumscription OF Japanes
G rights. When japan presents the mem
@ orands OF her wrongs to the world an
Japans position as not only lawful bu
. justly taken. They also have their peo
I pie in this Republic. and each year Pile
b up in the archives OF their State Depart
G Dent the grim protests Of their sub
! jects.
i The indiscriminate violation in differ
= ent sections OF the United States of In
; rights OF aliens. and the inability OF tn
u Federal Government 10 protect them