"NEXT WORLD-WAR.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4601, 3 July 1917, Page 3

"NEXT WORLD-WAR.”

AN IMPUDENT GERMAN BOOK

LYING ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE LITTLE" BROWN MEN.

Last Autumn a book entitled "Der Naecheste Weltkrieg” (The Next World War) was published in Berlin, and was described as written by an anonymous “neutral.” This bock has recently been translated into Japanese by Dr. Yanagi, ex- Vice-Minister of Education, and distributed by him amongst his friends, and lias occasioned much embittered criticism Gf the Huns in Japan.

THE “NEUTRAL’S” VISION OF

THE FUTURE.

“On the occasion of declaring war against Russia, a dozen years ago, Japan unequivocally declared to the world that she was actuated by the desire to safeguard the independence of Korea, to throw the door of Manchuria open to all, and to preserve the territorial integrity of China. Tip's declaration, however, was followed by Japan’s annexation of Korea, her monopolisation of the interests in Manchuria, and the steady implanting of her influence in China. Japan’s ambitions are not limited to the possessions of Tsingtau and the South Sea Islands, but she is casting covetous eyes on America. She is taxing her brain how to extend her influence to California and Mexico. The Japanese expect war to break out between their country and America sooner or later, and it admits of little doubt that they will invite Mexico to side with Japan in the event of a Japanese-American war becoming a reality. Japan keeps many military men as spies in the Philippines and Hawaii disguised as labourers and merchants, and she has a covetous eye on the Panama Canal. “In the event of hostilities breaking out between America and Japan, the former will find it difficult to_obtairt fore than 400,000 fighting men while the latter will be able to mobilise no less than 2,000,000, well trained men. The Japanese are a nation who can be content with water instead of wine in case of necessity. At a time of national crisis, Japanese scholars will unite in their, efforts to impress upon their countrymen the utmost importance of crushing the United States.

JAPAN’S DESIRE FOR INDIA

“The United States, however, is not the only country against which Japan lias aggressive designs. Immediately after securing the Pliillipiues, she will certainly turn her hostile attention to India. It lias been the national policy of Japan to extend her territories in a southern, direction. Her acquisition, of the German South Sea Islands has given her another ambition—that of securing the Dutch Colonies. Japan will gradually extend her greedy hands to India,, with a View of driving the Europeans ultimately out of that country. In fact, a collision between Japan and Britain is impending. ‘

SOVEREIGN OF THE PACIFIC

“Japan’s policy of securing her own development is formulated very systematically, To begin with, she lias secured great influence over .China, and lias thus made herself virtually mistress of the Far East. In order to bring various States in the East under her sway, she had dexterously made use of Buddhism, thus affecting the spiritual unification of the Eastern peoples. Just as the. Caliph in Constantinople was the central figure of the Mohammedans, and the Pope was head of the Christian nations, so Japan under the headship of the Erhperor, will assume sovereignty in the Pacific, and then the flag of the Rising Sun will.bo . triumphantly in evidence everywhere. “To realise these hopes is by no means an impossible task for Japan. Should the emergency arise, the Japanese in the Philippines, Hawaii, and California will take up arms

against their enemy, and proceed to take possession of tile regions where they reside, acting in co-operation with the Japanese Fleet. It- is also quite obvious that the Japanese in India, Siam, and other parts of the East will revolt against the yoke of the whites the moment their country enters into hostilities against the countries under whose jurisdiction they live. “Japan has been very favourably affected by' the European war, and consequently Tokio and Osaka are inundated with gold.- While not being desirous of hostilities spreading to the Far East, she hopes that Britain and Russia will be exhausted to the last) degree by the present- war, since the exhaustion of the Powers by prolonged warfare means for Japan# what Marquis Okuma calls the development of the Yellow race.

JAPAN’S HOPES FOR A TEUTON-

IC VICTORY

“What is. worthy of special notice is the fact that Japan hopes for the victory of the Central Powers rather than for the Entente Powers. Now that Japan holds Tsingtau and the South Sea Islands in her possession, there is no reason why Japan should regard Germany with hostile eyes. It is more advantageous to Japan thatGermany should emerge victorious from the war, for in that case Germany will put a check to the expansion of the British and Russian influence. It would be greatly conducive to the successful carrying-out of her policy of development- if Brittahi and. Russia were to be disabled from expanding tlieir influence in the East. From this point of view. Japan would be glad to conclude an Alliance with Germany .

GERMANY’S DETERMINATION TO

CRUSH JAPAN

“The development of world politics after the war, indeed, deserves the closest attention. What country then then, will wage a gigantic war against Japan ? Needless to say Germany will be that country. Germany will surely try to crush Japan without any fear and with full confidence in her" own ability. When some years ago Britain secured Wei-hai-wei" and Russia obtained Port Arthur, Germany gabled Tsingtau in order to maintain the equiljbium of influence among the Central Powers. Germany also purchased from Spain the Caroline and the Mariana Groups. Years cf indefatigable efforts to develop these territories went for nothing, y.-it-h Japan’s taking possession of them. -Germany will no doubt open hostilities against Japan soon after the present war is brought to an end. The future alone can tell which side, Germany or Japan, will come out victorious ' from the deadly conflict that is destined to be brought about between., these two countries.”