Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-06-07
WOULD SELL ISLANDS
TO LITTLE BROWN MEN
Utopia idea Of Prominent Divine to
Avert Sanguinary Conflict With
Descendants of Samurai.

eials, showing the imminent danger OF
war and sure and honorable method
of averting it:
Brooklyn, May 26, 1913.
Hon. VIM. j. Bryan, Secretary of State
Washington, D. c.
Dear Sir:
l am addressing you, and, through
you, the honorable president of thii
nation and the honorable members Of
its congress, upon subject which be
lieve to be of prime importance to oui
nation and to the world. l would hav,
preferred to make this communication
a private one, but believe that its OBJ
ject will be much better served if il
be known at home and abroad that tht
suggestion comes from a native citizen
a minister and ambassador of Christ
rather than if the same suggestion wert
to emanate from some official of oui
government or from a politician.
The Worlds Peace Endangered.
A year ago 1 visited Japan and OBJ
served the congested conditions there
prevailing, and learned that her popu
lation is increasing very rapidly, whilc
every foot Of arabic land is undei
"intense" cultivation. Japan IS neet
for room for her overflow population
has already led her to grasp Korea, an(
it is no secret that she longs for pos
session of the Philippine Islands, ant
would be glad of a reasonable pretex
for taking possession Of them. Fany
broad-minded Americans have sug
gested that the United States has nj
desire to acquire colonies in an imperia
sense, and that, therefore, the Philip
pine Islands should be surrendered t,
the Filipinos. The only objection urget
against this move is that the Filipino
are not as yet sufficiently advanced il
civilization to properly govern them
selves. And those most intimate will
the situation have not the slightes
doubt that if the United States with
drew from the Philippine Islands, tn
japanese government would immediate
ly take control and shortly the Philip
pine Islands would be inundated witt
Japanese-undoubtedly much to thei
benefit as the latter people are NOR
thrifty and prudent and energetic tina
the Filipinos.
Some Startling Suggestions.
I suggest that the United States GOV
ernment select from amongst the Phi
ippine Islands one island suitable as
naval base, and tender to Japan tn
opportunity to take over the PhiliI
pine Islands at precisely the same the
have cost the United States. This woul
give our neighbors of the Far EaS
exactly what they want, at no price q
all compared with the cost of war AZ
ditionally, it would make them ou
friends, and surely all Americans d,
sire a worldwide friendship with a
nations. I advise that this step h
taken speedily, because there is iil
go" party in Japan bent upon Ii
requirement of the Philippines, whiC
party will always be ready to tax
advantage of such trifles as the Cal
fornia alien law to incite hatred again
the United States and to force the
government, against its Judgment,
seize the Philippines.
1t is human nature for the Japane
to want those islands--to feel that the
need them. 1t is practical commC
sense to say that they can take the
whenever they are ready. The Unit,
States could not retake the Philippin
except at the expense of many liv
and thousands Of millions Of dollars
il at all.
Our Japanese neighbors, flushed wi
their victory over the Russian nav
and courageous and proud spirited an
way, realize fully their ability to ca
ture the Philippines and probably
hold them; but they do not realize tn
a war with America would be a We
different one from that with Russia
that American pride and valor wou
spend thousands of lives and thousan
Of millions Of dollars rather than 81
render to Japan. Pride, courage, Sc
esteem, confidence, on both sides a
the real dangers, Surely wisdom shou
dictate to both nations that in the
terest Of peace, cause for friction shou
be as far as possible eliminated, /
lieve that no more fair, no more iu
no more honorable method for adiu,
eating this matter can be found tn
That we are suggesting-tho sale
the islands at cost to the japanese.
Japan would give the Filipinos
splendid government-better, / belle,
than any other nation under the s.
except our own government. No o
can visit the Philippines without fe
! ing pride for what America has do
for that people-and done in 80 u
selfish and noble a manner as an cid
! brother amongst the nations helping