SIDE-TRACKING OUR NAVAL QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1914, Page 6

SIDE-TRACKING OUR NAVAL QUESTION

Sir Joseph Ward, replying to Mr. Massey's West Coast remarks on the Anglc-Japaneee Alliance, enters into a defence of Japan, which country is, he says, "in the forefront of the nations " We do not think that Mr. Massey ever intended to reflect on Japan ; certainly, in any case, no defence is needed. It would be extremely foolish of our political leaders to side-track themselves into the question of Japanese ideals, nor are they in a position to deal with the high political aspects of the Anglo-Japanese AHiance. What concerns them is whether the Alliance should be our protection in. the Pacific, not merely to-day nor next year, but for all time ; and whether, with a \ iew to the future, we should prepare for some other form of naval protection, to be effective when the Alliance has ceased to serve. In his speech on the Navy Estimates, Mr. Churchill made out a good case for the present value of the Alliance to Britain and to Japan; and we doubt whether Mr. Maeeey attempts to challenge that portion of his speech. What Mr. Churchill did not prove was that, in purely Pacific defence, the British Dominions should rely indefinitely on the friendliness of the Japanese fleet. A growing nationalism, which has nothing to do with separatism, compels uts •to begin to shoulder our own burden. In the preparatory stages, the Alliance will provide shelter. We will be wise, while it existe, to make full use of it for that purpose. Such action is quite consistent with Imperial policy.