PATER’S CHATS WITH THE BOYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 55

PATER’S CHATS WITH THE BOYS.

“SIX MILITARY DESPOTS.” “In times of peace we resisted the temptation, to take upon ourselves the burden of conscription,” says Archibald Hurd, the naval expert; and it was a “political act of madness” for the Kaiser, the last of the six named below, to allow the military clique that surrounded him to lead him to believe that, when he violated his own word and invaded Belgium, Britain would not fight for “a scrap of paper.” But Britain was true to her bond and did, and, like the other five, the Kaiser fell by- the soldiery of a nation that has never possessed a standing army, in the Continental sense, but has believed that its power rests upon the sea. “Charlemagne, Charles V, Philip II ol Spain, Louis XIV of France, and Napoleon in turn” struggled to become master of Europe, and now we have the pitiable ex-Kaiser who thought himself capable of dominating all heads of Europe and making themselves and their subjects his “pawns.” And the downfall of four ol these six has been caused mainly by British ; and where tlic British tried to work by conscription or its equivalent, a German soldiery sold at so much a hea,d like cattle to Britain, Britain failed, too, and the Americans, a free people, estao lished their freedom and caused an enmity that has not yet died out. “The British people are incurably maritime—by geographical distribution, by instinct, and by political bias, because sea. power has always suggested freedom.' When war broke out our naval power, the result of generations of training and maritime trade, was nearly twice as strong as the next greatest Sea Power. Fortunately we were alert, vigilant watch-dogs, and chased the mercantile marine of our, and really the world-enemy, into neutral ports where in many cases they were unwilling guests, but did not dare to offend their host*. At the time, too, our militarypower was a negligible one, but across “the silver streak” there were 15,000,000 conscripts. Britain objects to a standing army- buiit upon conscript lines. The Duke of Wellington once said: “Men cannot with justice be taken from their families and from their ordinary occupations and pursuits for such objects [service overseas or for the purposes of conquest]; the recruits of the Regular British Army must be volunteers. ’ The Great War has altered normal conditions for the time being, but Britain's Army is still built upon volunteers, and the British people are as much as ever inclined to stand by the volunteer principle. But do you not think that conscription should come in to defend our lives and our country? The curse is, however, that once allow conscription to come in, though we are a brave people, there are so many- who want to evade militaryobligations and will do nothing to right wrongs. Just as Nelson, Jellieoe, and others used the convoy to escort or to keep vessels together to fight, so these slow thinkers will require speeding up just as they- did in the recent war. In a true, democracy no conscription would be necessary. JAP A X ’ S AMBITION S. But just as in business the man paying the lowest wages or selling at the lowest price makes the pace for those who do not fix a standard so low ; it may mean that if Japan keeps to conscription she may eventually cause us to bring in conscription, as Germany did long before the Great War. I do not think that it is generally known that we have a larger British naval power in the Pacific than ever we had before. I think I am right, but cannot say why ; but I think we should know it. Perhaps, too, the fact that the most careful Britisn admiral is our Governor-General may have some bearing on the point. Think things out, and see how it is necessary- to be educated to prevent yourselves from belonging to the “common herd.” And now that T have asked you to “think things out,” you will see how trade is a curse if not righteously handled. At the present moment we are snot importing so much Japanese goods as we used to. This is going on all over the white world. The result is that Japanese trade is affected and that there is a surging discontent in Japan. As we know that the South African War 20 years ago was brought about bv trade between the Boers and the British, so it is quite con ceivable that our practical boycott of Japanese trade mnv cause a Japanese antipathy to us, and this antipathy- may be played upon by the ruling classes to stir up feeling against us. There are people who say that to discuss war is to cause it; but these arc like people who bury- their heads in the sand and see nothing. They are always want ing to work along the line of least resistance. and generally end bv doing nothing at all except following the majority. They are like weathercocks, turn to any wind that blows. Never expect these to stand valiantly for the right except in a colourless way. BRITAIN’S NAVAL POWER, IN THii PACIFIC. At present there are three Powers powerful in the Pacific, all others being “down and out.” And these. Powers arc which? Great Britain, United States, and Japan. I would like young folk to read history and seo its tendencies. Any-one reading history since 1900 could not help seeing that Germany was spoiling for a fight,

It was being bred in the school youngsters, and her successes in the last century led her to think she was invincible. I remember hearing a Dunedin merchant who was at Home 10 or 12 years ago say that he had a chat with a Home manufacturer who was emphatic that Germany had to be crushed. “Let us borrow fifty million pounds,” he said, “spend it in battleships, and wipe out Germany's Bea Power; for she is bent on wiping out our Sea- Power, and which nation gives the world greater freedom? Let us end it; it will be cheaper in the long run.” I don’t like the sentiment ; but if a nation bends all its energies to one purpose and refuses to take right into the question, hut works with one end in view—“ Might is Right,” then the heroic way would be to down him at the first favourable opportunity. And the same with Japan. She has sprung to the front very- rapidly and is simply biding her time. Australasia has insulated her. Take your map and study the Pacific. The Sydney Bulletin has as its headline, “A White Australia,” or something meaning the same thing. This raises the ire of the Japanese, for in defeating the Russians did they- not defeat white Europeans ? Did they not prove themselves their equals and in patriotism, as the word is generally- understood, proudly- die as defender's of their country i I am not saying they were right; but from their point of view they were as patriotic as we. Now, look at Japan again, and remember it lias more inhabitants than the British Isles ; now look at Australia. How many times can Japan bo carved out of Australia? Japan has about 70 millions and Australia about five. Now, supposing Japan took 25,000 men and landed in North Australia, who could say- her nay? But suppose, horror of horrors, that they should insist on marriages, or, to nut it another way, should insist on being treated as equals. What could we say- ? As a matter of fact, this question will have to be faced; and this is why the question is a real one in California, and why- it is being said that in the event of a United StatesJapanese War Britain has said she will remain neutral. But can she? But for my- point. How many war vessels have we in the Pacific? I am told that there are between 50 and 60, the largest number ever in that area. But supposing there are not the half of that: the numbers will not matter. About 600 millions in India, 400 millions more or fewer in China, and about 70 millions in Japan, or, taking in the East Indies, about 30 millions more ! So here we have about 800 millions of another colour with a much lower standard of comfort! What can six millions do against so many? Of coruse, there are the British Isles, and the United States, but even then there would be fewer than 200 millions against 800 millions. The combination will not take place ; hut we must be prepared to revise our values of men. We have as our Governor-General one of our leading admirals, and elsewhere in the Pacific rim we have other military or naval men. “No more wars!” said people at the Armistice. Were they knaves or fools? We don’t want to be so senseless as to bring about wars : but we must not do things that will help them to come.