's tones were indicative of
amazement.

Farrel smiled his tolerant smile.

"I believe, Miss Parker, that any people who will get down on all fours
to worship the picture of their emperor and, at this period of the
world's progress, ascribe to a mere human being the attributes of
divinity, are certainly deficient in common sense, if not in
civilization. However, for the purpose of insuring the realization of
the Japanese national aspirations, Shintoism is a need vital to the
race. Without it, they could never agree among themselves for they are
naturally quarrelsome, suspicious and irritable. However, by
subordinating everything to the state via this religious channel, there
has been developed a national unity that has never existed with any
other race. The power of cohesion of this people is marvelous, and
will enable it, in days to come, to accomplish much for the race. For
that reason alone, our very lack of cohesion renders the aspirations of
Japan comparatively easy of fulfilment unless we wake up and attend to
business."

"How do you know all this, Mr. Farrel?" Parker demanded incredulously.

"I have read translations from editorials in Japanese newspapers both
in Japan and California; I have read translations of the speeches of
eminent Japanese statesmen; I have read translations from Japanese
official or semi-official magazines, and I have read translations from
patriotic Japanese novels. I know what I am talking about. The
Japanese race holds firmly to the belief that it is the greatest race
on the face of the globe, that its religion, Shintoism, is the one true
faith, that it behooves it to carry this faith to the benighted of
other lands and, if said benighted do not readily accept Shintoism, to
force its blessings upon them willy-nilly. They believe that they know
what is good for the world; they believe that the resources of the
world were put here to be exploited by the people of the world,
regardless of color, creed, or geographical limitation. They feel that
they have as much right in North America as we have, and they purpose
over-running us and making our country Japanese territory. And it was
your purpose to aid in the consummation of this monstrous ambition," he
charged bluntly.

"At least," Parker defended, "they are a more wholesome people than
southern Europeans. And they are not Mongolians."

Farrel's eyebrows arched.

"You have been reading Japanese propaganda," he replied. "