An expression of cunning came into Impey’s face, which was unseen by the two lads, while he began to explain earnestly. “Japan is an enigma to you Western men. Her diplomats have not a selfish drop of blood in their bodies. Every thought is for the empire. At this very moment the history of Japan for the next twenty years has been tentatively written by men like Captain Inaba, whom we have just passed. Every step has probably been considered and solved by their tacticians. Is war with America then such an impossibility?” “War with my country would be more of an impossibility than it is,” Phil exclaimed angrily, “if those who are intriguing behind her back would only come out in the open to do their talking.” He glared fixedly at Impey. “Your own countrymen at home are doing most of the harm,” Impey replied with an expressive shrug. “Your labor party is alienating what good feeling Japan has had for America.” “That has been adjusted,” Sydney said, up to now content only to listen, “and the immigration question has been made a national one.” “Yes, but the friction stirred up by the labor unions on the Pacific coast between your countrymen and Japanese immigrants has been echoed in every part of Japan.” “And there are those here in Japan of neither nationality who take great pleasure in fanning the blaze of misunderstanding,” Phil exclaimed pointedly; but Impey appeared perfectly serene under this direct insinuation. “I know that our newspapers have often harped on a probable war with Japan,” Phil continued more quietly, “but it’s ridiculous.” To the youngster it seemed almost ungentlemanly to talk so belligerently while they were the guests of the Japanese nation. “The United States have a very much larger fleet than Japan can maintain, and besides, she knows that if a war should occur Japan must provoke it.” “Your country has been at peace for over fifty years,” Impey replied, “for the war with Spain was too insignificant to count, and a wise man once said that ‘a war every fifty years was an excellent tonic for a nation, if it wished to avoid becoming commercial and effeminate.’” “Our nation will not provoke war,” Phil insisted. “There’d be no object in it. Japan is too far away for us to quarrel with.” “Then you believe that nothing would induce the United States to go to war with Japan?” Impey asked. “Even if Japan should suddenly buy China’s new navy, for instance.” Both midshipmen gasped in surprise. “Where is it?” they both asked excitedly. “On its way from Europe to China,” Impey returned, smiling blandly, “with Chinese crews and in command of Admiral Ting. You see you are not too well up on what is going on in the world,” he added pointedly. “Can you tell me the reason of the presence of your fleet in Manila Bay?” he asked. “Of course,” Phil replied quickly. “It came out on a practice cruise and will return within a month.”