Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-11
I OLD HO v
NIPPON WOULD
MAKE WAR
On j. 8.
Mr.. Graves Narrates Remarkable
Story Told Him by Ameri-
can Statesman.
By JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES.


WASHINGTON, June 10.-A re-
narkable story has come to me
from an authoritative source in the
last Congress.
The American statesman to whom
! refer was closely associated with
the foreign affairs of our Govern
ment He was a particularly inti-
mate friend of Baron Uchida, the
japanese Ambassador preceding
Baron Chinda.
One night after dinner with Baron
Uchida, the American drifted into
frank discussion of future conditions
that might make trouble between this
country and Japan.
Turning to Uchida. he said: Baron,
I am well aware from my Official
cIoseness to our foreign affairs that
in case of war between our countries
all the preliminary advantages would
be on the side of your people.
Il do not hesitate to say, which
/ am sure you know, that we of
America are shamefully unprepared,
in the conditions and equipment of
our navy, in our naval bases and
our coast defenses. and even in our
small and inadequate army, to cope
with the splendid preparedness Of
your trained and disciplined navy
and of your veteran soldiers.
Does my estimate of conditions
agree with yours ?"
Frank Talks.
Ambassador Uchida, runs the story,
got up from his chair, and with evil
dence of intense interest and feeling
replied
You are a frank, square man, Mr..
-. l like you, trust you and
/ will talk to you frankly.
"All that you say is true, and much
more than what you say is true.
Japan knows just exactly what it
could do with America I'm case of
war Every official of the japanese
Government knows. We are prepar-
ed and have long been prepared, full
" prepared. Since the Russian war
ended we have had in our minds the
possibility Of a conflict with the I'm
tied States and have carefully and
specifically gotten ready for 1t.
we know every detail of your de-
lenses on land and sea, every bay,
inlet and sounding on your coast
from Seattle TO San Diego and down
to Mexico We know the weak spots
in your five great transcontinental
railways between the Pacific and the
Rocky Mountains. We know the de-
fendable passes, the destructible
bridges.
In case Of war, Japan could I'M
doubtedly take the Philippines With
out great expenditure Of money or
blood. We could take the Hawaiian
Islands and Guam. We could batter
the defenses of your Panama Canal
and destroy the work OF years in a
few DAYS Moreover, We could I'M
doubtedly occupy the state Of Cali
fornia and your entire Pacific Coast
and hold 10 against all corners for
year or more.
Within Three Years.
But after this, what2 Japan
would be bankrupt, and We know It.
Moreover. Russia in the North
with the knowledge of this fact, and
with the engagement of our armies
and navies on the American coasts
Russia would take advantage Of the
fact. drive us out of Manchuria' and,
sweeuing down upon Nippon. might
drive our people out of Japan into
the sea.
Moreover. the bOundless resources
and energies of your people, which
know as well as you do, would rally
and i'm the sheer might of numbers
drive our armies from the PACING
Goa st into the Pacific ocean.
within three years there would
be no Japan"
While the story was being told
however, there sat beside me an
American soldier and a diplomat.
at will not do to trust too much
TO the assurance Of uehida, even in
the friendly atmosphere IN which he
spoke. The Japanese are willy even
between drinks
japan is seeking now to negotla ate
a treaty with Russia to hold hands
II japan could do this then We
may expect an immediate change in
Its attitude.
THE STORY HAS FOR Me But
A SINGLE MORAL:
BUILD MORE BATTLESHlPS,
STRENGTHEN OUR NAVY AND
MAKE OUR COAST DEFENSES
ADEQUATE FOR ALL EMERGEN-
CIES.
~ MY TrTs1