Defence of the Pacific

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 36, 6 November 1933, Page 11

Defence of the Pacific

Sir.—Your correspondent, “Look Out, Aussie,” tells us an incident descriptive of Japan’s militaristic aims that may to some seem somewhat too sensational to be practical. To those, however, who have studied the history of Japan, or who have lived there, there is nothing impossible in the sudden onslaught by Japan upon the Empire’s defences in such strength as to make immediate submission necessary. The only present controlling factor is that the opportune moment has not yet arrived. It may come if, through Germany’s sabre-rattling and insane aggressive attitude, the British Fleet, already cut to the bone by the policy pursued, by the pacific “gesturiste,” and far too small to guard the trade routes, is compelled thereby to remain in Home waters. The' suggestion that the writer of the letter quoted by your correspondent makes that “in another 15 or 20 years Japan will either have to find more territory for her increasing birthrate or else kill her babies” is, of course, what the Imperialistic Japanese war lords have been for years instilling into their people, following the invariable custom of these war promoters. Birth control is, of course, rejected by the authorities as striking at the root of their object—viz., an immense mass production of competing humans vital to the Imperialistic ideal of cheap cannon-fodder for aggressivs wars, and for cheap factory-made goods. An American lady with. assistants, armed with pamphlets and literature on birth control, was quite lately refused admission by the Japanese authorities with contumely, as “not wanted in Japan. Thus, following the usual routine of these militarists, they encourage by every means a fecund population, and t then point to the result as a reason for military schemes of land robbery, and plunder, as lately in Manchukuo. It is all so very simple ■when once you comprehend the underlying motive —viz., military predominance of the favoured few over the unthinking herd! In conclusion, I would add “pacifists at any price” should reflect on the logical conclusion of their attitude. Are they prepared to sit down and allow Japanese to treat them as the Chinese were treated in Manchuria —slaughtered like sheep and their houses and farms burned and their lands seized? Or are they going to let “the other fellow” do their fitting for them to protect their lives? There is no third alternative. —I am, Ngaio, November 4, 1933.