Ogden Evening Standard | 1911-01-18 | Page 7 | Japanese Interest in American Affairs

JAPANESE INTEREST IN AMERICAN AFFAIRS Count Okuma, commenting on the rumor regarding the annexation of Panama by tho United States, said to a representative of tho Hocki that it la quite cortaiu that the rumor will bo realhed aooner or lator. In fact, he said he has been expecting It for a long time. A comparison betweon tho United Statos of today and that of 30 or 40 years ago Ib such as to dumfound one on account of tho remarkablo changes The greater part of the spirit shown in ostabllahlng tho commonwealth com-monwealth has lost half Its meaning. hen America annexed Texas It mot with the strong opposition of congress, and it was only after sevoral yoars that tho afTair was settled. The purchase pur-chase of Alaska from Russia was also opposed The aggressive imperialism of tho American government has, however, how-ever, gradually fbocomo recognized and Porto Rico, Hawaii and tho Philippines Phil-ippines have been annexed in turn to America. Xo objection iH raised in congross now, and ono is cnused to ask, where is George Washington? Wbero is tho Monroe doctrine? TheBo questions aro naturally propounded by outsiders, but the count thinks that the demand of the ago has forced the United States to chango Its policy pol-icy and bocomo imperialistic. It has beeJ? lu'to an Inevitable consequence. The count 1b of tho opinion that tho loss of Independence by Panama will not directly affect the Jntorests 0v,JaJ?an- Thc ,attor 1H have no objection as Jong as Japan can utilize util-ize tho canal for commercial purposes. pur-poses. It is. however, a question of lntoi-national jurisprudence as to whother Germany and Great Britain will recognize the annexation of Panama, Pan-ama, but the count thinks that the question will bo solved in favor of America. Somo people urge tho expansion of tho navy in view of the Increase of tho American Pacific fleet Tvhich will be facilitated through tho opening of m.LC?,nal- 70 count 8a3's tht "k superfluous observations havo no weight and are not worthy of atten- tJon. As long as there aro those WinrJCftn? V'erstand th Peac-Quite Peac-Quite fruitless toll to talk of naval expansion. Shaughai Times