JAPANESE CRITIC.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 304, 25 November 1939, Page 7

JAPANESE CRITIC.

HITLER’S FATAL STEP. LONDON, Nov. 17. Hitler’s ill-considered agreement with Russia destroyed the possibility of a German victory in the war, according to Admiral Nakamura, whose views are reported by the Tokio correspondent of the Times. Although Admiral Nakamura has retired from active service, he is still regarded as one of the clearest thinkers in the Japanese Navy. His views are published in the magazine Pacific, and have also been circulated in pamphlets, apparently with the intention of supporting the policy of Japanese neutrality. Admiral Nakamura points out that before the war Britain’s potential enemies were Japan in the Pacific, Germany in the North Sea, and Italy in the Mediterrabean. with Spain able to provide bases for the x\xis Powers. That situation, which tied Britain’s hands, was changed at a stroke by the Russo-German agreement. Japan and Spain chose neutrality, and Italy decided on inaction. Britain’s naval problem was instantly reduced to meeting German guerrilla warfare in the North Sea.

BRITISH VICTORY PREDICTED. The opinion is expressed by Admiral Nakamura that Britain now can have absolute confidence in her victory. “Hitler failed to understand the situation,” he says. “Standing on the edge of a cliff, he spurred, his horse. Whether he will ever reach the other bank of the river remains to be seen.” • Admiral Nakamura methodically examines the question whether air power can win, and decides that it cannot.