The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-17
IF WAR is IT,"
Then Preparedness Is Religion,
Says Senator Phelan.
Pacific Coast Needs Defenses
the Same as Atlantic.
JAPANESE MENACE IS REAL
Oriental Peril Threatens Cali
fOrnia More Than Is Thought.
Forcing of Flag From the Pa
cific Is Nonsense.
JAPANESE MENACE IS REAL

New York, Nov. 1.-THE need OF
immediate preparation for national
defence is felt just as keenly on the
Pacific coast as on the Atlantic, &C
cording to United States Senator
James D. Phelan of California. He
has just arrived at the Waldorf-As-
toria on his way to Washington.
Senator Phelan says California feels
the need acutely, because of its con-
viction that the Japanese menace is
every day growing more acute. In
regard to the forcing of the Ameri-
can flag from the Pacific by the La
Toilette seaman's law, Senator Phe-
Ian said that is nonsense.
It was the fact that American ships
employed in the Oriental trade could
make more money in the Atlantic un-
der war conditions.
Coming from the Pacific coast, L
believe 1 reflect the opinion of the
best informed men and women that
the Pacific coast should be strength
ened," said Senator Phelan today
1.-The western coast is not adequately
protected. Bases for submarines
should be established and land forces
established. Our interests in this re-
spect are in common with the inter
ests of the people of the Atlantic sea-
board With them we represent the
doors of the country.
Comparative Costs.
=
small compared with the cost of war.
Eastern people shouldn't underesti-
mate the menace of the Japanese. By
its insidiouS methods Japan is seek
ing an entrance for its people to the
United States on terms of equality.
What they particularly seek is a
Judgement upon our western coast.
This is our problem and we, as Cali
fornians, are entitled to speak.
1.-The Japanese cannot be allowed to
feel that he California
enjoy the rights of citizenship and our
land That means nothing less than
the abandonment of California as an
American state.
THE Japanese do not assimilate
and make a homogeneous population
They drive our own farmers and or
chardists off the soil. These are the
men who enjoy a higher standard of
living, who better the obligations of
family life and civic duty and who in
any crisis of our countrys affairs will
bear arms in it's defense.
They Multiply Fast.
I'VE have kept them out in large
numbers in recent years by so-called
'gent1emen'S agreement with Japan.
But there are 10000 Japanese in Cali
fornia now. Their women keep COM
ing in through the device known as
picture brides They multiply very
rapidly, so that in any event we shall
soon have a large native Japanese
population, which we shall try to take
care of in good faith.
Japan is a young, powerful and ag-
gressive nation. We should convince
it that our attitude is one of self
preservation and involves no offense
At the same time we should strength
en- our military and naval position in
order that our weakness may not in
vite attack.
THE wars fof the more civilized
powers of Europe teach us that no
country is immune from attack, and
that treaty obligations are no assur-
ance of safety. The Pacific coast be-
ing exposed, should have an independ-
ent fleet, because the canal, as has
been demonstrated, is subject to in
terruption by nature.
Preparedness Religion.
IF war is hell, then preparedness is
religion" said Senator Phelan en-
phatically.
Regarding the disappearance of the
American flag from the Pacific, due
it has been claimed to the people, Sen
ator Phelan said:
LAS a matter of fact the Pacific
Mail left the Pacific because it could
make more money, on account of the