JAPAN'S AIMS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 46, 18 November 1936, Page 6

JAPAN'S AIMS

Conquest in the Pacific A PROFESSOR’S SURVEY In recent years It has become increasingly difficult to gain any information as to the trend of Japanese foreign policy and her intentions in relation to countries of the world other thau China. That her armaments and trained man power are being heavily increased is undisputed, and that the public are being educated very fully into anti-gas measures is shown by the photographs that are allowed to reach the outside Press, but against whom the preparations are directed, has been well hidden.

In bis book, ‘‘The Menace of Japan,” the late Professor Taid O'Conroy, who lived for 15 years in the country, and who married into an aristocratic Japanese family that can trace its line back through many centuries, after dealing with the life and customs of the nation as they form a background to its Imperialistic aims, concludes with a most arresting chapter which he entitles “J’accuse.” He notes that since the motion ot centure passed on Japan in the League of Nations, the Japanese War Office lias issued a new publication cabled "The Power of the State,” which sets forth the aspects of the Imperial principle and the Japanese family system. The naval base at Port Arthur has been organised into a home station for the Second Overseas Squadron, and a secondary admiralty has been established in Manchukuo. Ex-officers have been recalled to the colours, and the whole of the communications system in Eastern Asia taken under control. “Nearly Ready.”

“Japan is nearly ready,’’ he states, and the reasons: “The Japanese nation has a line of Emperors unbroken for 2600 years. . . . Though all the other Asiatic nations have surrendered to the white man, Japan alone has remained independent and _ gained a glorious position. The nation thus has a great mission to do .something for the benefit of the rest of the Oriental peoples. What then is the mission with which she is charged by Heaven? It is the rescue of 800,000,000 Asiatics from white men’s slavery. ... Her national leaders are well aware of this mission. . . . Nationalism is at its height. . . . Racial co-operation is becoming increasingly necessary. . . .

British India, Persia and Siam are understood to be specially alive to realisation of this need. ... It is difficult to tell how soon an opportunity may come for co-operation, but Japan will take the lead.”

As regards her fleet and her naval fortifications, Professor O’Conroy points out that she has two complete lines of islands running southward from the end of Japan proper and that the possession of these, quite apart from the three ex-German groups, gives her a series of stepping-stones, bases and coaling stations, cutting through the heart of the ocean between Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, and between Japan and the United States. Despite her leaving the League of Nations, nothing has been done regarding her possession of the mandated territories and the matter has hardly been referred to by the leading countries in connection with her withdrawal. It is therefore rather surprising to find that their retention is the matter of discussion with considerable heat in Japan. Admiral Osumi described them as of considerable strategic value to Japan, the word life-line, usually applied to Manchuria, being used. The Press refers to the holding of them being even more of a point of honour than the holding of Manchuria and declared that Japan will fight the whole world for them if necessary. The islands are very seldom visited by foreign ships, and the last one that put iu was treated as though it were an enemy, so suspiciously was it watched and so closely were its objects inquired into. The naval declaration that whatever the rule and whatever the League might say, the islands must remain with Japan, because of their strategic importance, was unfortunate. It caused a suspicion of fortification that is rather difficult to allay. The only contingency iu which these islands seem to have a possible importance is that of war between Japan and the United States; and if completely unfortified they would not be of much importance then. Altogether Japan has spent 250,000,000 yen (approximately £15,000,000) on the islands, and she maintains buoys for marking special anchorage for large ships. The control of the mandated islands is under a military staff. Mandated Islands. There are over 1000 islands included in the mandate, and they are divided into three groups; the Caroline, Mariannes and Marshalls, and they are so disposed as to be the key of communications. They could serve as a base for holding back or attacking British Malaya, Hong-Kong, the United States territory of the Hawaii Islands and United States-controlled Philippines. They stand between these foreign strongholds and Australia and New Zealand, and could stop communication between these groups and the United States western coast. A Japanese Foreign Minister has stated that if any opposition were put up to Japan permanent possession of the islands as a monopoly property, “then Japan would resist even

if faced with devastation.” The Japanese General Staff has made clear its determination to hold the territory for ever. It reads: “The South Sea Islands are strategically important to Japan’s national defence; they are a guarantee against American attack on the Far East, The Japanese Navy has been content with a 10-10-7 ratio by the Washington Ttreaty, because they counted on the strategic value of the islands. If therefore even one of them were taken away Japan would not feel secure. If some other State were to tie up her warships in those islands, Japan would have her sea power drastically cut. America has every reason not to’ want them to remain in the hands of the Japanese. We must concede nothing and prepare -for the worst.” State of War Readiness, Professor O’Conroy stated that the Island groups are being put into a state of war readiness, enabling them to be put into commission within a very short time; There may be a few armaments ou them already, but the positions are definitely ready, the fortification is there, and the harbours will take the largest’ships of the Japanese navy. Japan is very interested in Siam, and Siam is aware of it. She was the only nation not to vote against Japan on the Manchurian question in the League. Two of her princes are being educated in Japan. The Dutch authorities are taking no chances as regards the Netherlands Indies. Only recently Mr. Mendel referred to this point iu the Upper House at The Hague and showed that Japan is taking a dangerous interest in tho Dutch East Indies. He drew attention to Japan’s need of oil for her warships and also her desire to open a settlement for her subjects in New Guinea. For many years it was assumed that Japan had her eye on Australia and New Zealand, but this for some reason has of late disappeared. In Japan it remans stronger than ever. Professor O’Conroy heard many conversations in which it was stated that the conquest was one of the easiest matters for Japan when the tune came, and the mandated islands would make it simpler. There is no doubt that the British, colonies In the South Pacific fall within her future plans. The climate would suit her people. Australian legislation has insulted her against all possibility' of the admixture of Asiatic blood with the white population, and she bates Australia for this but covets her country. The plan is vast. First Manchukuo, next China, India, Australia and New Zealand, and then Russia. That, says Professor O’Couroy, is.the plan of the staff. It will come sooner than expected. Japan will not nt once declare war, but she will .slowly advance. Gradually she will assume control of China, the latter will again ask for the help ot the League, will sttggest once more that it keep its word to her. It rests with the European Powers how far Japan will be allowed to proceed with her plan.