War Spirit.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19211, 18 September 1934, Page 3

War Spirit.

JAPANESE PREPARATIONS. RUSSIAN AIR RAIDS FEARED. N.Z. VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association). DUNEDIN, Sept. 18. “The spirit of war is abroad in Japan,” said Mr. Edgar T. Shand, of Otago, who recently revisited Japan after five years. “The feeling of preparation for war is undeniable. From all I heard Japan’s greatest fear is the attacking of her industrial towns by ’ air from the Russian eastern seaboard. There is no doubt that Japan’s first endeavour will be to protect herself by holding sufficient areas of that country to minimise the danger of bombing attacks.” «- With the "spirit of war intense, every movement of foreigners from the time they entered Japan till they left it was notified to the authorities. The suspicion of foreigners was such that he described it as “spyphobia,” and in watching their industrial, naval and military interests the Japanese had the disease on the brain.

The aim of the Japanese was the protection of their own country, the opening of markets for manufactured goods, and the acquisition of land to supply raw materials. Envious eyes were being cast on the Dutch East Indies, and even on countries much further west. On the eve of his departure from Japan, Mr. Shand said, an enormous dinner was given by the Hindu-Japan League at one of the largest hotels.