The Menace Of Japan

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 2, 28 September 1937, Page 11

The Menace Of Japan

Sir, —“Alarmist” in your paper of today and Dr. Maloney only half cover the situation. Let anyone take a map of the Pacific and study first Japan. Korea, Manchukuo, all the Chinese ports down ns far as Hong-Kong, then Formosa —one of her last acquisitions—where British steamers running short of coal and water have been arrested for entering Keelung. British sailors who were brutally knocked about, even jaws broken, because a Kodak film was found on one of them, had an experience of what can be expected if they are on Japanese soil. Japan, being in control of China’s ports, the Philippine Islands (already largely controlled by Japanese traders, and from which America is withdrawing), will be an easy annexation for Japan. Also observe the mandated islands, sitting just on top of New Guinea and then British Hong-Kong surrounded by Japanese influence.

Come further south; look at Siam, where the Japanese are increasing enor-; mously (Siamese being trained in the Japanese schools). The large Japanese firms are now securing the big contracts in Siam. Look at the Kra Peninsula, where a canal 25 miles long—mo locks necessary, easy soil for excavation, cheap labour available —will shorten the distance between Bombay and Japan by nearly three days and make Singapore a side track. Beyond that no one can predict what will be Japan’s next move, but a huge market in India will be more accessible. Two lines of steamers are running fortnightly services to Siam already at excellent freight rates. A three-day sailing time-table is now existent between Formosa and Japan. What will be the next anvone might ask.—l am. etc., ANOTHER ALARMIST. Wellington, September 27.