FOR the last two or three years there has been a great deal of discussion concerning the probability of a war between Japan and the United States. But the Government has sought to quiet every one's feelings by assuring us that there was no danger. It would seem, however, from present developments, that our diplomats have had more to contend with in this direction than it would have been wise for them to admit.
From present despatches that appear to be well authenticated, it appears that Japan has been working with determination for several years to get a naval base on this Pacific coast. Her last move was to purchase about 5,000,000 acres of land bordering on Magdalena Bay. The purchasing company had enough American names in their list that they evidently hoped to avoid suspicion. But it has come out clearly that Japan is behind the purchase, and she has been sending men into Mexico so rapidly during the last few years that it is now estimated that she has fully 200,000 of her best citizens there. It is stated that the majority of these Japanese have a distinct military bearing, and many of them are known to be veterans of the Russo-Japanese war.
Piercing the last wall in the great Jungfrau tunnel, in Switzerland, over nine miles long. Its terminal at Jungfraujoch is 11,410 feet above sea-level. Its object is to open up for travelers some of the sublimest scenery of the Alps. The upper station lies between two great mountains, the Jungfrau, 13,672 feet high, and the Mönch, over 13,465 feet. February 21 the dynamite shot was fired which opened the tunnel. Great hotels are built at the highest station, and all winter sports may be held in midwinter.
Russia and Japan have so far forgotten their troubles of a few years ago that they are allies in this move in Mexico, which really means a move against the United States. It is also feared that some other nations may be backing Japan in order to break down the "Monroe Doctrine," to which the United States has held so tenaciously. The control of the Panama Canal also has its bearing in the case.
Japan has added about $200,000,000 to her national debt during the last two years, and this vast sum has been expended on her navy and merchant marine. She has recently put a number of the most modern merchant ships upon the Pacific as trading vessels. But it is said that each and all of these can be turned into swift cruisers and transports within about thirty days' time.
In the meantime the revolution in Mexico has been kept up for the last year and more. Diaz was overthrown, and the world was assured that Madero would establish peace. But things in Mexico are now in a worse condition than ever; and from the view-point of a statesman, it would seem that the United States would be compelled to intervene for her own safety, and to protect her citizens that live along the borders of that country, as well as those who are doing business inside.
While this condition of things is confronting our nation, it also appears that Japan is becoming very active around Magdalena Bay, and furthermore that she is seeking to form an alliance with Mexico, as well as with some of the South American republics, with the hope of bringing about a combination that could defeat the United States in case of war.
The situation has become sufficiently serious to cause United States Senator Lodge to have introduced a resolution in the Senate on April 2, calling upon the President for all the information and correspondence at his command upon the subject. It is also stated that some 200,000 United States troops are being mobilized and got in readiness for action in case conditions demand it.
Senator Lodge's resolution in Congress, if there were no other evidence, is sufficient to show that there is some real trouble brewing between this country and Japan. And the facts of the hour warrant the conviction that all that has been said upon the subject during the last two or three years has not been merely newspaper talk. It is to be sincerely hoped that a war between two such powers as Japan and the United States may be averted. For such nations as these, with modern weapons in their hands, would create scenes of bloodshed that would go beyond description.
Lowering war-clouds of the darkest and most foreboding character continue to hover over the world. Yesterday it was in Europe or else somewhere in Asia, and to-day it is in America. But somewhere and all the time there are these danger-signals that show the war-storm that is coming on. The great mass of the people are so intent on their various pursuits, that they do not realize that Armageddon lies just before us. The prophecies of the Bible are clear upon the subject, and world conditions to-day show that these prophecies are being fulfilled right before our eyes.
Will we take the time to look at the evidence and see that this is so? T.
