SECRET SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1938, Page 9

SECRET SERVICE.

U.S.A. ARMY OFFICER.

ADVENTURES IN THE EAST.

OPINION OF WORLD STRIFE.

Attached to the intelligence division '• of the United States Army Reserve. \ Colonel Charles H. Haskell, widely-! travelled Los Angeles business man and j attorney, has voyaged to most corners of the world, and his duties have taken him to many of the theatres of strife : during the past few years. His most recent trip has been through China. Ivtanchukuo, Mongolia, Siberia and Russia. "There is little doubt that wars, revolutions and political convulsions are ushering in new epochs," said Colonel Haskell to-day when he arrived at Auck- I land by the Monterey from Sydney. "Few nations appear to appreciate fully the grave conditions Principles as well as bayonets are aggressive material forces* and the suffering is falling upon the innocent and guiltv alike." "The world is in a truly shocking state," he said. "There are at least 100 danger spots where the dynamite might be set off. Even the United States is not free from troubles." Colonel Haskell said he had recently journeyed through war-torn China. "I was in Peiping—which means 'Peace in the North'—when 000 Chinese were killed outside the Peiping Hotel." he said. "I heard a terrific burst of machinegun fire and went downstairs to ask some Japanese officers what it was all about. Officers Laughed. "They were laughing in high hysterical voices. They told me that the Chinese had killed a Japanese officer and filled his body with sand. The soldiers turned the guns on the mob outside the hotel, and 600, mostly coolies, were killed."'

Moet of the Japanese officers, even j f those in charge of companies, were aged j between 19 and 21 years, said Colonel • Haskell. This was in accord with the J move in armies throughout the world to , place young men in responsible posi- ! tions. j 1 The journey across Russia occupied 16 . days, principally owing to heavy troop movements. In Russia propaganda was being broadcast 24 hours a day by radio and loud-speakers. The Russian eoldiere , were haif-starved. A ration consisted [ of half a loaf and a drink of water. "Japan has already beaten China and j Russia in past campaigns, and appar- ■ ently thinks that she can do bo again. In fact, this boast is heard quite fre- . quently, and many people in the Orient j agree with the Japanese. However, 1 Japan is short of money, and it is my , opinion that the shortage of money, j arms and munitions is at the present ( time placing a damper on the military j aspirations of many nations. Huge Japanese Loan. 1 "Japan is trying at the present time ' to raise £100,000,000 for war purposes ! on the security of her fielde, factories, ' forests and mines. However, the people ' are protesting. There have even been threats of revolution, but these have ' been heard only very faintly. Otherwise ' Japan ie fit for hard fighting, and the ' process of replacing old officers with new ones is going forward rapidly. "The Japanese are saying quit* • openly that if they conquer and eubdne ( China' they will have 300,000.000 people j, to draw man-power from for future', armies," said Colonel Haskell. "They , say they are going to dominate the J Pacific, and that is a problem that Xew j Zealand and Australia in particular, and ■ all the English-speaking peoples, will , have to face. Few nations appear to appreciate the seriousness of the position." Along with the other worM troubles were the "villainous and grand larceny"' tactics in foreign exchange, continued the speaker. Travellers were victimised j and bled. Nothing effective had yet been done in .regard, to the abolition of harmful quotas, which were proving such a disruptive influence in the relations j between the nations of the world. ! All Europe sind the East seemed to ' be unusually wildly jealous. All politi- . cal leaders agreed that it was the j mintage of wisdom to know what to do next to create and keep the peace, and how and when to do it. The world was a comedy to those who thought and a tragedy to those who felt. Requirements of Office. When questioned about hie official position, Colonel Haskell said that military intelligence entered into, or came into contact with, more phases of human activity than any other class of military work. All branches of the military establishment had need of it and profited by it. Not only did it deal with purely military matters, but it found vital interest in the motion picture, the theatre, politics, business, communications, civic problems, government, languages, economics, sports and other ' [activities. I The main and basic objective of • military intelligence, however, was a military one, enabling success to be achieved against an enemy. It was ' therefore essential that every intelligence officer should have a basi<- knowledge of military terms, tactics and procedure.