The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-04-22
SOME DELICATE SITUATIONS


The present administration is devot-
ed and committed to peace. The return
OF the democratic party to power was
a protest against the policy Of the re-
pubIicans. who more and more showed
a disposition to entangIe this country
in the disputes of foreign nations.
Nevertheless, it need not be surpris
ing if the United States becomes in
volved in one. If not two. wars in the
next year or so
The greatest danger is in Japan. The
people of that country, unduly elated
by their victory over Russia, DESTROYS
OF expansion, and irrirated by the
treatment of their people in California
and other western states, are by no
means unlikely to provoke a conflict
that would cost America immensely in
blood and treasure, and would proba-
bly, end in forcing us into a position Of
an imperialistic and bullying world
power such as has not yet been seen
on the globe.
We would not have any reason to
fear even a temporary backset in a
war with Japan if il was not for the
Filipino incubus saddled upon US by
Dollar Mark Hanna and statesmen Of
his stripe fifteen years ago. War with
the Sunrise Kingdom would almost
certainly begin with an onslaught OF
the Japs on the Filipines and they
would probably win at the outset OF
course. they would not have a walk
over There are many American fight
ers in the islands and it is not likely
that the Filipinos would altogether
side with the japanese. They desire
Independence; they know they have
some hope of it from America, and il
conquered by Japan they would be
come the vassals of that empire, same
as the Formosans and Koreans.
If Japan took the Filipines from us
we would set to work TO retake them
and at the same time give the Jap:
such a thrashing that they would no
forget it in a thousand years. o.
course, we would succeed in time, blu
1T would cost such an expenditure O.
life and money as has never beer
known before, and when it was oveI
it would no longer be the American re
public but the American empire, dom
mating with the mailed fist over al
weaker nations.
Trouble with Mexico can only b,
avoided by the most charitable ant
delicate diplomacy. Any other nation
than this one would have had an arm!
in Mexico months ago. At present tn
situation is more hopeless than ever
Mexican affairs are in chaos, and Their
is no sign Of bringing them into shap
from any interior influence.
From a military standpoint Mexic
would be an easy conquest. She ha
no navy, no money, no credit, her arm,
is torn to tatters, and it would b
comparatively easy for this country t.
cut off all supplies of arms and am
munition. There would be. however.
guerilla war that would last for year
and cost us many valuable lives. TIL
bulk of the Mexican people wouI
probably be glad of Intervention, whic
would give them better government
than they have ever known. but thei
influence would count for nothing unit
the country was subjected.
If we have to interfere in Mexic
this year. and the people OF the west
ern states maintain their attitude to
ward Japan, it would be to the interes
OF that country. if a conflict mus
come, to begin it now, before the Pan
anna canal is complete. The statesme
Of Japan are wise and moderate. an
seem to be doing all in their power t
maintain peace. But it may be beyon
their ability to restrain the hot-ten
pered masses of their people.
The administration seems disposed t
speak softly and not make any undu
display of big sticks. If it can ais
inaugurate a policy that will give tn
FiIipinos definite hope of speedy indie
pendence. thus making them allie
against Japan in case of war, it wi
greatly promote the prospects c
peace.