The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-03-19
THE EXPANSION
OF THE JAPANESE
Continued from page One)
By C. II. S. 1854


serving of our natural resources has not
brought the material support for the reten-
ton of this, our best bet-Alaska, and
the wealth it represents to the United States
The government proposes to spend IS mil
lion dollars towards developing rail trans
portation to the interior of this territory,
but has not made any provision to safe
lowering on the western horizon, prepared
to relieve us of this vast territory of natural
resources.
Are we to stand idly by and see it erased
from our list of possessions because in the
past we have been negligent in our prepare
ton of adequate facilities for defense?
These are plain facts conveying to us the
meager protection pro. ided a possession of
inestimable wealth by nation as foremost
in power and resources as the United States
is quoted to be.
Rejecting upon this possible movement
of Japan's. 1t may be asked, how would
they accomplish the task of conveying their
troops in sufficient force to gain this terri
tory9 The answer to this inquiry is sim
plihed in the fact that, Japan has at present
in operation over 1900 merchant marine
steamers, of these, fifty owned by the gov
eminent are of recent type designed to
meet the requisite demands of army trans
ports. They can on short notice be con-
verified to this purpose thereby affording
them more expeditions solution for the
mobilization of troops at any contemplated
point of action.
The ingenuity of the Japanese is evident
again in this preparation.
Why would it not be possible for them
to land a sufficient force, to overwhelm and
crush with mighty blow our unprepared
possession our key to the supremacy in the
Pacific, the Hawaiian islands?
This possession is of vsal Importance to
the development of the extensive marintine
commerce which we expect to pass through
the completed Panama canal.
The establishment of a naval base and
proper Notifications to preserve and main
tain this valuable possession have been sad
ly neglected.
Fertilization Bill Pending
There is fortifcation bill now under
consideration by the house. which provides
for an amount of $780, 900 to be expended
for that purpose. There is at present very
little protection afforded these islands.
Gen. Wood urges immediate action on this
pending bill as it is essential that we secure
ly protect this naval base, if wish to main,
tain our supremacy in the Pacchc.
The Hawaiin islands are situated 1900
miles southwest of San Francisco Being
a sort of half way station, in the southwest
ern transportation course.
The last report of the United States war
department shows the total standing Amy
in the Hawain islands to be approximately
hot 81;
great nation affords this valuable possession.
With the assistance of some of the Is, 900
caucasians possibly about one-ffth would be
eligible for service, we could not success
fully combat the vast element consisting of
1000 male Japs and 40, 900 male Chinese
that are closely allied.
Can we not readily gain a perspective of
our prospects at present to cope with so
overwhelming a majority and everyone
trained soldier. There being the ratio of
seven Asiatics to one white inhabitant.
With the existing strain that our diplo-
matte affairs are undergoing and the posi-
blity of them not terminating with the de-
sired agreements with Japan, it is absolutely
necessary that there be the least possible
delay in equipping the islands with proper
facilities to adequately preserve this posses
sion and render it immunity from the at
tack of a possible enemy. Once these
islands have passed into the control of ia
pan, we have lost our prestige.
The PHILIPPINES
Then our attention would be drawn to
the west, the next succession to Japan's ex-
pansion. There would be at present, owing
to the unrest of the natives in the Philip
pine islands, account of disfavor to United
States made by governing them, an excellent
opportunity to foster this discomfort, and
thereby cause rebellion, such as, was star
ted in China recently. Rumors have it that
the Japanese were the prime factors in
that movement and that the armies were
lead by Japanese officers.
A large majority of the inhabitants of the
northern provinces of the Philippines are
Chinese and Japanese. The
native element would lend their assistant
ance in that direction, no doubt, with the
assumption that they were to gain their in
dependence by so doing.
What would our small army of 1900
men be, that are stationed throughout the
islands for patrol duty. Compared to the
immense body of fighting power which the
say mere bagatelle for the contending
adversary.
This serious situation of our internaton-
al affairs, that may involve our country in
war far more devastating than it has hereto
fore experienced, renders it our duty to
the magnitude of this problem,
and our inability to cope with this impend-
ing criscs.
From the foregoing, we may obtain a
view of this grave situation, as it appears
today, and which should commend our inn
mediate attention as a nation among the
world powers. Yet we are unprepared to
meet this obligation should it arise, with
the proper facilities TO subdue the advances
Of possible enemy and to maintain our
national pride as power and peotect Old
Glory flying on territory which is now in
our possession and should bear the Stars