FAR EAST WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23401, 18 July 1939, Page 10

FAR EAST WAR

ADMIRAL'S OPINION JAPAN BOUND TO LOSE THREE-POWER COUNCIL PLAN LONDON, July 11 If war broke out between Japan and Britain it would settle down into a war of attrition, said Vice-Admiral C. V. Usborne, former Director of the Naval Intelligence Division, in a broadcast talk on 'Defence Problems in the Pacific." "But one must look further than the setback to local British interests which would result at first," he went on. "No country except America could compete with us ultimately in the production of warships, and the war would be like many others which Britain has fought. "I predict with confidence that the result would bo a stiffening of Chinese resistance and ultimately Japan'B exhaustion and defeat, "This would apply even if our main forces were engaged at home in a life-and-death struggle. 1 If reason swayed Japanese policy, she would discontinue her aggression and come to an agreement with Britain." Vice-Admiral Usborne suggested a three-Power council between Britain, France and tho United States. Such a council could send joint Notes to Japan, which coidd not bo disregarded, for tho strength of the thrco countries could not be challenged. . Britain had to maintain sufficient forces in European waters, and tho naval squadron which could be sent East at present would bo of a size which would have to act on the defensive. As it would bo based on Singapore, it could not take offensive action, but could protect Australia and New Zealand, among other places. But Britain had tho capacity for building up her fleet, and had a valuable ally in Franco.