Japan's War Status

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 11, 1908

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 11.

Japan's War Status.

Mr. Hudson Maxim, the great gun inventor, in a recent letter declares: "Whether or not we may agree with Captain Hobson in what he says about the imminence of war with Japan, it is certain that if we are not fully prepared for such a war it is a matter of very serious concern to every American citizen." After saying that he had been a close student of war history and had much to do with invention and manufacture of war materials, he declares: "Japan is preparing for war, and preparing for that war with the United States which she believes to be inevitable. Not a war that she will force upon us, but a war that we shall force upon Japan, the moment she gets strong enough to be no longer an under-dog. Japan will not fight us unless, or until, she feels sure of winning; she will try to lead us to precipitate the war.

"Japan recently purchased of Sir William Armstrong, Whitworth & Co. the entire output of their torpedo works for two years. The Krupp Works at Essen are working rush orders, turning out huge guns for Japan. The Crucible Steel Works at Newark, N. J., have just completed an order for three thousand tons of rifle barrels for the Japanese, rifles enough to arm 750,000 soldiers. The Japanese have a veteran army of about 750,000 men. We have an army of only 75,000 serving our country, largely as servants and common laborers." In comparison with the navies, he declares: "Our present navy is perhaps twice as powerful as that of Japan. The torpedo flotilla of Japan is at least twice as powerful as ours." Statements like these from such a man as Hudson Maxim will have their effect upon the nations of earth.

And it is such talk as this, of course, which will tend to prepare for war and precipitate war. Looking at it from the Christian standpoint we can see God's hand controlling things. And according to His prophetic word, the winds of war will be held until His work is finished. And then will come the great conflict of Armageddon. Then men's safety will not lie in ironclads or great navies, but in the refuge which Jesus Christ alone holds out to the world in His righteousness and life.