The Washington herald., 1921-10-30
An impossible War.

1T IS not only foolish but absurd to talk OF
war between the United States and Japan in
1924 or any other year. There will be no
such war, if for no other than the impos-
sibity of waging it. To be sure other things
that have been called impossible have promptly
occurred. 1t also is conceded that nothing is &C
tually impossible. But using the word relatively,
between this country and Japan at least
borders fairy tales 1t is in that realm never
attempted by the sane.
In every war some one has to be the agrees
sor. Some one has to begin it. Which side would
begin this and where would it be fought? 1t
must be admitted in view of the great war, that
neither country could transport and land army
of any size on the others mainland. The Sea of
Japan could be as completely closed as was the
North Sea at the Straits of Dover. 1t would be a
completely closed sea. Even Britain would have
found it impossible to transport support her
armies in France if she had had to land them on
a hostile shore. The only such attempt Gal
lipoli, sad failure.
The United States could attack Japan only
through Korea or China and then with the Japan
Sea to cross. For such a war, too, the Philippines
would be wholly inadequate base. Attack by
Japan would be equally the undertaking of insan-
ity. Even against the Philippines, arplanes
would be the answer, as good authority has testi-
fed that they would make the islands impregnabe-
OF what practical use would be the navy of either
country? Neither would have to have control Of
the Pacific to exist. Neither would be dependent
on Pacific commerce. Certainly not Japan, if she
had open way west, and certainly not the
United States save for the Philippines, Guam and
the Hawaiians, all capable of their defense
and of them vital to this country.
Between the two countries is 1000 miles of
water. The significance of this has been DEM
onstrated in the last war. Ports impregnable
to sea attack. Arplanes adequate coast de-
tense. An army cannot be maintained 1000 miles
from its home base in hostile operation. 1t seems
evident that everyone might well stop talking
Of thinking about specializing upon an Amieri-
can-Japanese The cause would have to be
in the Far East. Neither side could successfully
attack the other and either do as it may please
with quite entire unanimty, so far as the other is
concerned.
The only war possible on the Pacific is war
against commerce and both sides could play at
this though Japan would be at disadvantage be-
cause of her far greater merchant marine in that
ocean. But that could be turned west and this
country would then follow it at disadvantage of
distance. The United States could declare if
it would. Japan could declare In either
case it would be disastrous but nconclusive. Both
would suffer, neither could win, and at the end
would be peace without victory"
There must then be found some other way to
settle the rivalres of these countries, whatever
these may be- and any causes of enmity which
might exist, ever. Each can exist without
the others trade. A perpetual, long-range on
each others commerce would cost more than it
would be worth. In fact, there course
left for them save to be friends. That way lies
mutual profit 1t will not pay, either, to be other
than friends and what pays is what controls re-
latons now as always. The way of friendship is
wisdom; the way of enmity is folly. The way OF
mutual understanding and agreement is profit; the
way of antagonism is ruin for both, without profit
for either