Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-06-22
JAPAN AND THE HOBSON BUGABOO

Ever since the spectacular gentleman from Georgia.
Congressman Richard Pearson HObsOn had his halloween
vision OF aggressive and gaspng Japan and shook his
newly followed pumpkin with its pennydip light over
the country frightening the scay so badly they could
not sleep of nights for fear the japanese bugaboo would
get them there have been that every occasion
the dread HobsOn vision materiaizng and want to seek
cover
The truth is Japan is wisely governed country and
its people devoted to the victories Of peace rather than OF
They good fighters, but they not quarrel
some and are not hunting trouble Tie people know,
does the Mikado and the wise statesmen with whom he
has surrounded himself, that Japans future lies not in
the conquestS Of war but in the industries of peace
Hers is an INDUSTRIOUS thrifty people; a race but
century ago in a condition of standardization, and
isolated from the world 1t was America that broke down
the bars with which the japanese surrounded their coun
try and brought them in touch with the world In the
hundred years since they have made astounding progress
and taken rank a world power.
This has been done not by aggression and conquest
but by the arts Of peace. In all that time Japan has had
fewer wars than almost any nation; that with Russia in
1904 being the principal one If she had wanted to indulge
in war of expansion the decadent condition of Spain
and the tempting bait of the Philippines would have ured
her into war to acquire them long ago
Just now there are those who fear Japan will interfere
between Mexico and this country. They overlook the
fact that would be the most utter madness for Japan
deliberately 90 to war with this country any question:
let alone one in which she has no interest
They overlook the still more important fact that If
Japan Was lOOhS IOl WOlluS W Sic Has dI Sl
doors vast country, which while containing nearly one
third of the population of the world is practically de-
fenseess.
That she is seeking an outlet for trade with this big,
helpless neighbOr is true That she may sometime be
forced to intervene in China just about to do IN
Mexico is also true The conditions may become similar
But it can be set down fact that if oyelcroWdng OF
her territory her to seek outlet for her con-
gested population that that outlet will be in Asia not IN
the Americas.
Twe Mexico is about the only country on the Western
hemisphere that would permit her amy liberties and this
time if she sought hold the western continents she
would not have to fight the United States alone but pan
America
Besides Japan most nearly stands for the things
in the Orient that the United States stands for in the
Occdent She wants peace for herself and her neghburs
the opportunity develop and become prosperous to be a.
happy and contented people at peace with all the world
On top of this she is struggling with tremendous load
of debt which she trying reduce rather than increase
and war with any nation no matter what the result
would mean increased obligations doubling of the load
she is already carrying Still top of all this Japan has
shown herself strict observer of her duties to the world
she holds her promises sacred and she has high con-
cepton Of national honor and keen desire to keep her
reputation unsued among the nations If the scay ones
could get it into their minds that Japan has about as
sinister designs this country we have on Japan
their sleep might not be so badly disturbed
w. j. Bryan told 10000 persons attending the OPEN
ing of the chauauqua at Shawnee Oklahoma yesterday
that "if have to take Mexico it will be in the perform
of solemn duty to humanity" AT last he has said
something which our bio nephbor the OrpOouian can