New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-13
President Should Have Ad-
vocated Preparedness in
1914, Says Cornell Head.
FORESEES YELLOW
PERIL AFTER WAR
Thinks Worlds Main Problems
Likely To Be Furnished by
Chinese and Japanese.

Utlcs, \. y, Feb. i2.-"Had the Pres
ident advocated preparedness IN 1914
as he Is doing In 1916, the most serious
international difficulties which now con-
front our government would never have
arisen" Was the most telling phrase in
a speech made by Jacob Gould Schur-
man. president Of Cornell University,
at the Lincoln dinner Of the Republican
Club Of Utica, held tonight.
"The Great War" said Dr.. schur-
man, creates grave problems for Us
while Il lasts, and IS destined 10 create
still greater problems when peace
brings a new adjustment Of relations
between the present belligerents. So
Ear as America IS concerned, however,
J look forward 20 the future with very
great confidence.
Long before the war broke out
our army and navy. And J still sdvo-
cate that policy. ] do not think, how
ever, that the war has increased
or, In the end, will increase the dan
gers Of attack on America. Neither at
present nor prospectively has the war
magnifed the perils Of the United
States from the side Of Europe.
Japan Not Forgotten.
TT may be said. however, that there
IS another great power outside Europe
q which have not taken account. Let
re therefore remark at once that
have by no means forgotten Japan. In
deed, Il looks 20 me as though the
gains from this great European war
might accrue very largely 10 Japan.
while the losses will fall on the Euro
pesn belligerents. Japan has driven
Germany out o. Asia and taken posses
zion Of the strongly fortified naval and
commercial base which Germany had
established at Kiao-Chau. and thus Sc
cured for herself a new point Of de-
parture for the political and CONNER
cial, and, perhaps, even the military
leadership which she has resolved 20
establish In China.
Japan 20 dominate the Far East, and. If
possible, 20 dominate IL alone. Vic
torious over China in war. she has
steadily worked 10 prevent other great
powers intrenching themselves there.
Single handed. she forced Russia back
in 1905 and gained for herself Port
Arthur and the Liao-Tung Peninsula,
while 90 1910 che annexed the formerly
independent State Of Corea. And Of the
other great powers % Europe, Austria
and Italy have never possessed q foot
hold IN China, so that Japan's sole SUI
premacy IS disputed only by England
80 Hong Kong and b. France at Tong
hin.
Il want 70 emphasize the fact that
this entire Japanese programme,
whether II be regarded as practical or
fantastic, has no element in II Of con-
hict with America, provided only the
door Is left open in China 20 American
trade; and Il this door is closed, i
would not only be America, but all the
nations Of the world. which would pro-
test against this commercial exclusive
ness.
United States Defences Obsolete.
"While the war has not menaced, and
IS not likely 20 menace, our security,
lions and its titanic exhibitions of
force, tho utter inadequacy Of the
American army and navy for the func-
ton Of national defence. So long as
We have military and naval forces they
should be equal TO the function for
which we have created them. That
function is the defence Of the Republic
against attack by any foreign nation
or nations. The present was has demon
strated that tho means and instru-
ments Of attack have been multiplied
and magnfed beyond the resources Of
our army aud navy. The problem.
therefore. which the war has put upon
rs ia the bringing of our agencies of
rational defence Up 20 the modern
standard.
As ] look into the future think
the main problems, not only OF Amer
ics, but Of the world are likely 20
come from the Orient. More than half
the human race-more than 100000
600 out OF 1900, 00O.00O-dw In
Asia, and Of these over 4OO,OOO,0O0
are IN China alone.
y. IS the ambition OF Japan, which
has already challenged and defeated
European advances, TO preside over
Chinese development Whether 10 SIS
brought about through the agency of
Japan alone or with the cooperation OF
European powers, 1t IS likely 10 have
inomentous results not only IN the
economic field but also In the political
and social. The government of China
may be shaken, but Americans will GER
tainly hope that this great people may
retain their national independence I'M
any event, it seems safe 70 predict that
tho superintendent population Of China
and Japan viii spread beyond the
mainland and overflow into the islands
of tho Pacific and the continent OF
h Australasia. Then will emerge in acute
M form the rivalry between the white
" and yellow races, with their conflicting
civilizations. religions and social and
moral standards. And this world
rivalry will first touch the white race