Patea & Waverley Press WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1928 THE NEXT WAR

Patea Mail, Volume XLIX, 28 November 1928, Page 2

Patea & Waverley Press WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1928 THE NEXT WAR

—»— I ■pill': French Minister ul the In- j icrior, M. Sarraiit, in a recent interview, forecasts a war in the Pacific unless reconciliation between antagonist interests is effected. “Let there be no misiake,” says M. Warrant. “The Pacific is the theatre where there will tic staged, at no distant period, the most formidable conflict that civilisation lias ever known and beside which the late war will appear a mere skirmish. For years the rivalry in the Last was Angio-Russian, with Spain holding a few straggling _ colonies. Russia dreamed of seizing Asia and looked with envy upon India, which is still the central pillar on Avhich the fraternity of the States of the British Commonwealth were erected. To maintain mastery Britain must absorb and penetrate the neighbouring States necessary for the protection of India. While Britain holds masses of population in Asia under her control with Australia, New Zealand. and Singapore as bases, Russia has a trump card in the trans-. Siberian Railway and the United States has a most valuable base in the Philippines, while France possesses a balcony overlooking [he Pacific. Thus the Powers arc concentrating on the Pacific from every side with eyes on China and its vast markets, inexhaustible mimpal, deposits, hundreds of thousands of acres of oil lakes, and its endless supply of labour. Among the rivals of the Western world it is a case of first come, first served, with the solitary exception of the United States, which only asks lor the open door. Relations between Russia and Japan have changed since 1904. Both believe the United States regards them with animosity. Is it forbidden, therefore, to imagine Russia and China assuring Japan of a Continental outlet for her population and thus allowing all three to look less timidly at a possible European conflict? Cannot we consider a hypothesis of Russia and Japan, solid in resistance to the United States; fearing an Anglo-American-French coalition in the Pacific; and dreaming of fraternity of arms against the white races? May they hot then /.attack (Germany and Poland in order to provide the necessary European incident capable of retaining the French and British Fleets in Europe? This would prevent the FrancoBritish Fleets joining the American in a Pacific Avar or defending their own possessions in the Pacific. ”

Sir Frank Fo:n, in liis book. “The Mastery of the Pacific,’' deals frankly with the relations between Britain and America, urging (lie necessity for both agreeing on a policy of mutual protection and co-operation in the Pacific. If Japan can be persuaded to join up in a Triple Alliance for the preservation of peace in tlic I’acilii', the horrors of the

J apancse-Kussian-China entente foreshadowed by At. Sarraut would vanish like an unpleasant nightmare. Sir Frank Fox stresses the point that the use 0.. air force in the next war will be intensified. Large bombing aeroplanes carrying Tombs each weighing a ton and filled in some eases with high explosives and in others with deadly poisonous gases, will be able 1o wipe on, whole towns within a few minutes, That there is much food for thought in the forecasts of both AI. Sarraut and Sir Frank Fox few will venture to deny One can. only hope that the authorities both at Home and in the South Pacific will bear in mind the motto, “Be Prepared,” and act accordingly.