The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-16
See Analogy Between Present
Situation and Russo-Jap-
anese Conflict
TROOPS IN HAWAII
PREPARE FOR SEICE
Fortify Crater of Extinct Vol
cano and Plan Vegetable
Gardens Is Report
From Islands

WASHINGTON, June 1b.--DeSpH4
injunctions laid on officers OF the
army not to discuss in any way the
personalities of the situation in re-
gard to Japan, what they think Is be-
coming common knowledge in Wash
ington.
Officers who have most seriously
studied the situation in regard to the
preparedness OF the United States for
war see in the present issue with
Japan much food for thought. The
opinion of the officers Is that in the
event of hostilities with Japan the
forces of that country would he able
to occupy the Philippines, HAWAII.
the canal zone, part OF Washin&t0i4s
cr Oregon, and perhaps Californt4s
1t would be a long and hard tA1nS
they say for the United States fQa
drive them out. of such positions
which they might take by means ok
the advantage they would possess
through greater preparedness
Others Have Bone to Pick.
1t is pointed out by these officers
that Japan IS not the only nation
that has a bone to pick with the
United States The prediction Is made
that the other powers would protest
against the continuance of hostilities
in the Pacific, which would Inevitably
have a disastrous effect on commerce.
and that they would demand OF the
United States that 1t come to a settle
ment with Japan.
Speaking of the general state Of
in the United States,
fcrnia, said today:
II am not an aiarmist, bat as a
resident of California i know some
thing about tbs situation. and know
also the disadvantage we labor under
in not having a mobile army where
officers and men have been trained
in tactical units as we'll as a reserve
which could ftl the ranks in q sud-
den emergency.
Cites History.
Let the man who thinks this In
simply 4 scare read the history of
the last fifteen years. From time TO
time Russia would take some action
and japan would protest. Then would
follow negotiations extending for
months and years Than some other
act of Russia would cause another
protest by Japan, and further nego--
tiations. and so it went along year
after wear japan was preparing all
the time. Finally when fully prepar-
cd. she struck with such suddenness
and ferocity that a powerful nation
like Russia was defeated on sea and
land and compelled to conclude
peace most Illuminating.
1T is not because l want war that
| want an army properly organized.
trained ana drilled. with a reserve
which shall meet emergencies. 1t Is
because l want to avoid war. With
such an army az country situated
like the United States should have,
txro,tld nn 6a rnGSthiIifv
of war. and there would be far less
war scares to alarm our people
Making a Giberaltar.
BOSTON, June 15.-American
troops in the Hawaiian islands have
taken possession of the crater of
large extinct volcano situated on the
east coast and are working night and
day to convert it into a fortress cap@
able of withstanding a long SIEGE
Ammunition, food supplies and other
supplies are being stored within 1t.
guns are being mounted. a water sup
ply has been arranged for and gardens
have been planted on the slopes of the
crater to- provide food and thus render
the place self-sustaining in case II II
besieged for any great length OF time.
This information reached Boston
yesterday from an authentic source
in Honolulu and the communications
in the Hawaiian islands, including thes
troops, are very much exercised over
the Japanese situation. 1t was stated
that in Honolulu war with Japan Ia re-
garded as certain. and recognizing the
fact that under ordinary circumstances
the 10000 Japanese living in the
islands. most OF whom are former
soldiers, would have little dififculty ~
selling the possessions. the authors
ties are straining every nerve to PR
pare 70 resist to the last. y
Japs There For PurpOaN.
The army and marine corps oflac99&
believe that practically all of the Jnr1E
in Hawaii were sent there for -
other purpose than to be on hand n
seize the islands In case OF war 90
that these men are thoroughly III 4
pared. Including equipment, To f0
the field at a moments notice II
should orders be received from n
Japanese war department..
The communication says thfx -
American troops have mov04
the crater bag and baggage, -
ing quarters are being prepared wftAl
and that guns are being mounted Al
around the rim so that fortress
capable OF resisting an attack from
either land or sea will confront any
forces that may try to attack IL
Mace