PROBLEMS OF THE PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 225, 11 June 1923, Page 7

PROBLEMS OF THE PACIFIC

JAPAN’S RAPIDLY INCREASING POPULATION WHERE IS SHE TO FIND AN OUTLET

By arrangement with the “Morning Post,” the Australian Press Association begins a series of articles on the new problems created in the Pacific as the result of the Great War, the Washington Agreement, and the desire of the Japanese Empire for expansion. The articles have been written by a special correspondent just returned after a prolonged visit to Japan, China, Singapore, and the Far East generally, undertaken for the purpose of studying on the spot those problems. , By telegraph.—Pbibb Association. —Copyright.

(Rec. June 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 9

The correspondent writes: Within the last two months two events have occurred which should serve to focus the British Empire’s thoughts on the Far East. In the first place was the Admiralty’s determination to convert Singapore into a naval base to maintain tho British prestige and pictect British trade in Pacific waters, a determination which met strong o] position from those who look no farther than .Europe and imagine tha* the' natural defensive aerial measures of another Great Power may have a sinister intent towards its late comfade-in-arm». The second event, which probably attracted but little attention either at Horn#., or abroad, was the delivery of an address by Professor Hishinuma to the Japan Society in London, entitled. “The Main Features of the Japanese Problem,” in which Professor Hishinuma stated that unless some of the Western nations realised their mistaken attitude toward Eastern, nations, the struggle between East ■ and'W est would involve the whole of humanity in the most s disastrous war tho world had ever seen. This address, doubtless by a coincidence, was followed closely by the public announcement of tho development of the Singapore scheme, therefore it is not inappropriate to endeavour to visualise the main features of the Japanese and. other Pacific problems from the English and American viewpoint.

Astonishing Increase in Population. The population of the main Japanese islands is steadily increasing to an astonishing degree, and at tho present moment there are about-. 360 inhabitants to the square mile, although only about 16 per cent, of the land is available for habitation and cultivatian.

The same population problem at various times in history has presented Itself to England, Germany, and other great nations. The Japanese, from the similarity of .their geographical situation, have closely - studied England’s remedy for over-population, and are beginning to feel aggrieved that they have no overseas Dominions to cope with would-be emigrants. The time is not far distant when it will Le impossible for the average adult male Japanese to find work on wages within his own isles under present conditions. He is therefore constantly scanning .the surrounding countries of the world for an outlet. Korea and Formosa Limited Fields. Korea serves only in a limited sense as a field for* exploitation, not for settlement. Korea's mam value to Japan is strategic. It serves as an excellent back-door fortress, also as a direct connecting Jink with Southern Manchuria and the Northern Provinces of China. The Korean railways are a great tribute to Japanese, engineering and

military foresight. Formosa can absorb very little more immigration, since its interior is mostly mountains and forests. Here, again, Japan’s main advantage in the island is its strateg’c situation in relation to tbs Philippines, Hong-Kong, and Fukien. Her mandatory islands in the Pacific are of little use from the migration standpoint.

position of Amarioa and Australia. Where, then, is she to 100k —Canada, the United States, South America, or Australia? In these countries, in greater or lesser degree, the white man has won for himself from Nature a position and living by his own efforts and without outside assistance. -He has found in them indigenous native populations v hich did, no work and rapidly deteriorated. Further, the white man knows his chance of existence is to keep up the racial standard, and he regards coloured immigration from Asia as the precursor of a lowered living standard cud debasing the blood standard. It is true there has been limited admission of both Chinese and Japanese into the countries but it is seldom found that these immigrants become real citizens of their adopted country, while from their habits of living they are almost always able to do some white man out of a job. Is it any wonder, 1 herefore, tha t the Governments of Canada, the United States, and Australia refuse to consider the possibility of further Chinese or Japanese immigration? Japan might say, as Professor Hishinuma recently declared, that she would limit the number of her migrants so as not to disturb the peace of her neighbours. Die object’on to this is that she could not possibly impose a limit agreeable to al), and Asiatics are by no means celibates. There would, therefore, seem to be nr: immediate chance of Japan obtaining an outlet for her population in any of the countries mentioned. Looking Towards China. The Japanese, realising this, begin to consider why tie few hundred miles of sea separating them from China should prevent their gradually obtaining control of the Middle Kingdom herself. China is a vast potential reservoir of labour, and cnly awaits inspired organisation to produce goods of all kinds at prices which, in the Pacific at least, would undercut every other productive nation on the face of the earth. A.nd Japan, who is most racially akin, desires this power-house for herself. . In spite of China’s large populationfi it is still possible for <a considerable number of Japanese to be absorbed, while a large number of Japanese who otherwise would bo workless could be profitably employed in Japanese industries fed by Chinese raw material. There is yet another remedy—birth control. But this does not find favour in Japanese eyes, and it does not affect the surplus ’ population of to-day.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable z*ssn.