In time of war steamships and improved arms are the most important things.

In case of war, a treaty would have to be made at the end of the war.

If Japan had been near to either England or France, war would have broken out long ago.

Japan and China are isolated and without intercourse with other countries; hence the President directed me to attend to or watch the state of affairs in China also.

The United States have no possessions in the east and do not desire to have any, as other countries do.

If war should break out between England and Japan, the latter would suffer much more than the former.

The expense of a war could be paid in time; but the expense of opium, when once the habit is formed, will only increase with time.