JAPAN AND THE PACIFIC.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20086, 21 May 1914, Page 4

JAPAN AND THE PACIFIC.

THE GENERAL EXPLAINS

NEW PLYMOUTH, May 20

In a speech this anorning, Sir lan Hamilton referred to the recent cable from Tokio concerning his reported remarks in Auckland ithat fthe Pacific would be a possible battle ground for Asiatics and Europeans. He said he was unfortunate in incurring the displeasure of a certain portion of the press of the allied Power, but the report on which the displeasure was based must have been spiced in crossing the _Tropics. He had merely put a hypothetical case that seemed a sound theory, to the effect that as nations grew bigger wars would be less frequent but more terrible. He could imagine a period when the empires would comprise great continents, and such a continental empire might have to face a contest in arms or economics, and he had said tljat New Zealand would do well to be prepared. Ho said she was preparing for the Millenium or Armageddon. In an interview with the "News," he said he liad given no foundation for the. rumour that he would condemn the Territorial system, as published in the Napier press. No report would escape from him until he had his foot on the gangway of the boat which took him from Nc.v Zealand.