The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1911. AMERICA AND THE FAR EAST.

Southland Times, Issue 16688, 17 March 1911, Page 4

The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1911. AMERICA AND THE FAR EAST.

In the President’s annual message to the American House of Congress reference is made to dealings with the Far East. The Manchurian proposal made by Mr Knox is said to be the application, on a broader scale, of the principle underlying the policy of the United States as regards the Hankau Loan—the internationalisation of Chinese railways financed abroad. The construction of certain lines Is “still the subject of friendly discussion by the interested parties.” As regards the Chinese currency loan, no reference is made to the recent negotiations on the subject in Europe or of any difficulties likely to arise from that quarter, while the American Government is said to have received as-

surances from Peking that an American financial adviser would be acceptable. Evidently the United States does not mean to relinquish the position it assumed some little time ago in the world-concert in the Far East. Here, again, is a further incentive to a greatly strengthened American Navy, The developments in the Far East, as well as those occurring at Panama, are matters closely concerning the whole British Empire, but especially, of course, Australasia and Western Canada. In connection with the question of the American Navy, the drastic naval reforms initiated by Mr Meyer, the present Secretary of the Navy, have to be noted as of great importance, while the proposed changes as regards the Navy Yards hitherto maintained are of even greater significance. Briefly, as the “United Empire” points out, the historic bases— New Orleans. Pensacola, and Port Royal (in South Carolina I —are to be replaced by the progressive development of naval bases at Guantanamo in Cuba (once occupied by a British Navy) at Key West as au advance base at the moutb of the Gulf of Mexico (between Cuba and the Southern Florida coast), and, finally, at Pearl Island, in Hawaii. The establishment at Charleston is to be greatly reduced. The shifting of the strategic centre of gravity is fully recognised In these most important changes, and a still further proof is furnished that the United States is destined shortly to have a very powerful navy, which will enable it to play its part in the balance of power. There is no doubt that the awakening of the United States to a sense of world-power, and consequent responsibility, will enormously affect tbe political evolution of the British Dominions. The assum sumption that a great nation or power could rise to first rank without having to face the responsibilities which such greatness entails was for a long time the pole star of the United States’ political firmament, and reacted on tho younger democracies. Ever since the Spanish War, however, a new spirit has been stirring, and the country Is evidently profoundly moved by a feeling which has been growing for some time, but has culminated after the publication, of a confidential report on the military unpreparedness of tbe United States. This report was circulated to the public nominally by accident. It has for long been, no secret to naval and military experts, and to the few people In the United States who follow such matters, that the country is neither in a condition to make war nor to resist invasion, but so far the general public has not been specially interested. The report has, however, raised a controversy, in which the members of Congress from tbe Pacific States strongly support the theory that those regions are absolutely at the mercy even of a second-class Power. The President Is understood to be averse to large appropriations for military purposes this session, but the Secretary for War asks for a large increase in the army and military equipment, and he is supported by General Wood, the Chief of the Staff. It is unlikely that the uneasiness aroused by a public revelation of military weakness can be allayed without considerable concessions, and from all appearances the United States is bent on providing herself with the properly proportioned and equipped military and naval forces necessary for security.