CRITICISM OF SINGAPORE DOCK

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 91, 20 April 1925, Page 9

CRITICISM OF SINGAPORE DOCK

FEELING IN JAPAN

SYDNEY SUGGESTED AS A BASE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, 10th March. Although the Government has definitely decided to go on with the construction of the Singapore Dock, it is evident that the critics of the scheme intend to make their protests until.the last moment. The Executive of the League of Nations Union has addressed the Foreign Secretary on the subject, and has put before him a resolution received from tho League of Nations Association of Japan. The Japanese Association expresses the view that the execution of the base plan might produce an unfavourable reaction oi\ the traditionally friendly relations between Japan and England.

In tho reply from the Foreign Office, it is stated:—"The policy underlying tho development of Singapore as a naval base is _ one which has-been the keynote of British naval policy for a great number of years, namely, that the British Fleet must be able to proceed to any p_:irt of the world where important British territorial and commercial interests exist. It is a matter for regret that there are peopl.e both in this country and in Japan who hav e been misled by current phrases, and have given little or no attention to the real factors of the situ- ' ation, and especially to the dominating factor of distance. Singapore is over 2300 miles from Japan proper (approximately the distance of Plymouth from the United States of America). . . In the years before the Great War the British and German Fleets faced each other across a few miles of sea. Every move on either side, therefore, gave x-ise to immediate suspicion. But with a distance of 2300 miles intervening, such a situation could not possibly develop, even if tho countries concerned were not bound to one another by mutual interests in the preservation of peace and by the bonds of an historic friendship." JAPANESE VIEWPOINT.

A correspondent of the "Morning ] Post" points out that Japan does not deny tho right of Great Britain to fortify Singapore. But though the agitation against tho proposal is not official, the nation is obviously much against it Tho movement is undoubtedly based on a growing suspicion of Britain and America as regards their alleged mistrust of Japan. There seems to prevail in Japan a conviction that England and the United States, having disposed of Germany, are now bent on curbing Japan, if not on depriving her of natural' rights. "First, Japan, was induced' to join tho Washington Conference, and agree to a retrenchment of naval armament. The United States immediately began an agitation against Japanese immigration, and i forthwith enacted legislation discriminating^ against Japanese subjects, while ordering naval manoeuvres that Japan regards as tantamount to a naval demonstration in the Pacific. The secret of Japanese opposition lies in the fact that the people of that country consider any farther fortification of Asiatic territory by Western nations as a contravention of the doctrine of Asia for the Asiatics. It is contended that Asia is as much entitled to a Monroe Doctrine as the United States is, for its side of the Atlantic; and since the Allies admitted the American doctrine at the Peace Conference of Versailles, they are in justice bound to admit a similar doctrine for Eastern Asia.

WHY NOT AT SYDNEY? In a very temperate leading article the "Daily Mail" suggests that before a very large sum of money is spent it j would only be wise to look very careful- j ly at the facts and to make certain that various questions can be answered satisfactorily. ] "If a new naval base is to be constructed at Singapore, quite outside the existing fortifications, good defences will have to be provided, and they will havo to be adequately garrisoned. Is the War Office ready to provide the considerable force of white troops that will be needed, and has its agreement been obtained? During the Great War we had a disagreeable experience at Singapore, in the mutiny of the Indian troops stationed there. The mutiny was put down by our own white forces, assisted by our allies, the Japane»e.

"For the protection of the Pacific, Singapore is not altogether well placed. Our main interests are in Australia and New Zealand. From the vulnerable points in Australian territory, which are on tho east coast of that continent, Singaporeis very remote. From Singapore to Sydney, for example, is 4500 miles, or nearly a.s far as Liverpool to Panama. Would it not be better, if new docks are needed for the Navy, to begin by constructing them in Australia, in a temperate climate where me difficulty of jiroviding a garrison would not arise? This would probably meet the wishes of the Dominions." • ,