THE JAPANESE MENACE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19623, 18 October 1933, Page 4

THE JAPANESE MENACE.

To the Editor of " The Timaru Herald ” Sir,—l was simply amazed to read in your issue of the 10th inst., the statements made by Mr G. Virtue at a Rotary gathering. Mr Virtue's statements are totally inaccurate and misleading, and unsound. Mr Virtue would have us believe that the Japanese are a peaceful, harmless race. Tins is far from the case. The Japanese are a proud, aggressive, -warlike and industrious race. Japan is only a very small country, yet she has within quite recent times successfully waged wars against two of the largest nations in the world, first against China in 1894, and then against Russia. She has been increasing her territory at every available opportunity, as witness the annexation of Formosa and Korea. Port Arthur and South Takhalien. Japan increased her navy and army to such an extent that it is one of the most effective fighting machines in the world to-day. We hear and read that the Japanese are not a migrating people. What is the position to-day, then in Western America, particularly California? The Japanese were becoming such a serious menace in California, that they had to be excluded, as your readers will well remember. Then think of the serious position in Western Canada to-dav, particularly in British Columbia. Just think of the vast number of Japanese there engaged in the lumber and fishing industries alone. Then again what of the la r ye number of Japanese at Honolulu? It is not alone how many migrate. It is how those that do migrate Increase and multiply. That is the greater question. We cannot seriously accept the statement that the Japan< sc do not migrate. Then again if they do not want to migrate, why are they so angry at being excluded from our Dominions? Japan is in the same position with us to-day as Germany was before the Great War. How we can remember all the articles about a possible war with Germany. Yet how often was the question of war with Germany treated lightly Yet the war with Germany came, and we were not properly equipped, yet we had plenty of time to do so had we wisned. We hold vast territories in Australia and New Zealand with our sparse populations. We must think and we must act to safeguard our territories and our lives and properly. We cannot lull ourselves into a false state of security, when a great nation has one of the largest and best equipped war machines in the world to-day, with a teeming population within its borders. Why has America all the fighting ships of her navy in the Pacific to-day if there is no danger of war? What a pleasure to read the outspoken utterances of an experienced naval officer, Rear-Admiral Burgess-Watson at an Invercargill Rotary gathering, as published in your issue of the 11th inst., stressing the value and importance of a first class navy. Also how refresh-

ing to read the statements and criticism of Earl Jellicoe with regard to Australia's naval defence proposals. Both of the above mentioned gentlemen are very experienced and most able men. They know what they are talking about, and their statements must be taken most seriously, and treated with the utmost respect. Forewarned is forearmed; that is if we take heed and set our defences In order. A country can only be adequately defended by organisation in peace time. Great statesmen are always harder to find than great generals

or admirals. There have been a good few expressions of opinion lately on the Japanese question. You, sir, lately published an interesting article on Japan and China, giving Mr-Strachan's views. Sir George Ellit, who recently returned from the Far East, also stated that "the industrial development in Japan is probably the greatest the world has ever seen. . . . Her competition is very serious and alarming.” And in your issue of the 14th inst., you publish certain opinions of Professor O'Conory, a gentleman ; who has been resident in Japan, and j who has written a book called “The Menace of Japan.” According to Professor O'Conory, Japan wants both Australia and New Zealand, as well as India The above opinions are opinions of men of high standing: men well qualified to express their opinions. And yet in face of all this valuable knowledge and grave warnings, we find people who treat the power of Japan very lightly. Sometime ago when I dared to write in your paper with regard to Japan’s designs in the Pacific, a correspondent signing himself "Labourite." stated something to the effect that Japan could not wage war without money. How then did Japan beat China in 1894; and also how did she overcome Russia in 1904-5 by a succession of unbroken victories and sweep Russia’s navies from the seas? When Japan goes to war she will see that the finances are excellent, as well as everything else. The Japanese are too magnificent a body of organisers to miss much, Sir George Pearce, Australia's experienced Minister of Defence, has stated his plans for bettering the defences of Australia. What I then is our own Minister of Defence doing? This is not a time for delay, I it is a time to organise our defences j and make our position secure. The ! nation that is unprepared is only inj viting an attack. The position in both Australia and New Zealand can only i be made secure by: first, putting our whole defence system in order; second, ! maintaining a high birthrate; and j third, filling our waste spaces with Bri- | tish Immigrant®. The sooner that the Commonwealth Government pushes on with its scheme of settling certain portions of the interior of Australia by the proposed project of chartered companies. the better. If the New Zealand Government and New Zealand Defence Department could regard our defence problem in the same manner as you wrote your recent editorials on the Japanese question, we would have a better feeling of security.—l am. etc., NEW ZEALANDER. October 16.