AS IT WAS WRITTEN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 23, 7 December 1910, Page 52

AS IT WAS WRITTEN.

(A Portent.}

By

GEO. J. HARKER.

IT was in the latter half of 191— the Dove of Peace at last essayed to flutter ita tremulous wings over Lloodrsoakmi Europe. A semblance of order was gradually emerging from chaotic confusion. War, hideous and relentless, had ceased, Heaving its aftermath of rioting and anarchy in the wake of a frenzied war, Of which there was no subsequent or apparent victor. Europe had consumed Jierself, peace dawned as a prelude to impotency. The ghastly revolution in the United States was rocking that vaunted republic to its foundations. Smoke still lay like a pall over its ravished cities. Autocratic despotism, Would seemingly again be replaced by a more tyrannical military despotism, defeating the ends of the socialistic inasses who had risen in arms to secure what the sanctity of the ballot seemingly could not procure owing to Government corruptness. A menacing cloud hung over India, which threatened to burst, and deluge that country in blood. Foreign emissaries had, during the progress of the war in Europe, vigorously organised the messes from within. Britain engaged in a life or death struggle with her neighbours, was unable to adopt measures drastic enough to keep the situation in hand, and now. too far shattered to attempt them. The Far East of all the known world had with mysterious diplomacy refrained from participating in the European embroglio, preferring a strict neutrality and had remained throughout a veritable hive of industry. [Rumours had reached the capitals of 'Europe from time to time of unceasing activity in those quarters—of now and secretly designed battleships and Submarines completed, of a vast increase of disciplined Chinese regiments, of a new and most powerful explosive said to be the invention of a celebrated Chinese professor, of the storage of grain in the granaries—but events nearer home had needed all their vigilance. The Orient was out'tyitting the Occident. Through India, through Turkey, throughout the entire East the giant had bestirred himself. [Bland, yet subtle, complaisant yet Craftly, dreamers, yet practical where Nippon leads. Parliament had been prorogued in Tokio. An extra meeting of ’the Cabinet was in session, with Generals of the Army, and Admirals of the Fleet

in attendance. Numerous reports and documents lay on the table. Correspondence relating minutely to the exact condition of the European Towers and alas, their too apparent weakness. To the Civil War, that must eventually bankrupt the United .States and shatter that Republic. To the revolutionary party in India, that had taken for its slogan “Home Rule for India.” Two of the highest officials of the reorganised constitutional Government of the Chinese Empire were nonchalantly smoking in the ante room, waiting for an audience. Momentous issues were at stake within that empire; an ultimatum had been drafted, presently to be submitted by the aforesaid officials on behalf of the Chinese Government to the Japanese Cabinet for their approved, and if acceptable, to be conveyed instantly to the various European nations owning or leasing Chinese territory, demanding immediate evacuation, . abrogating all rights and treaties. The Turkish Ambassador had just presented a note from his Government acquiescing cordially with the foreign policy of both Powers recently outlined to them, and in answer stated their willingness, if necessary, to throw half a million troops over, the Russian Frontier, should that Power make any aggressive movement. Discussion followed discussion, plans submitted and approved were subsequently pigeon-holed. The hour of midnight had just tolled when Count Yamo—the Bismarck of Japan—rose to his feet and addressed the audience. Cool and most collected of all present, with facts and figures seemingly at his finger tips, he proceeded with true Eastern insight to pulse the exac-t position of the world powers—of ■the East and of the West. Suppressed excitement pervaded the very room as the Premier dramatically dilated on a topic that was to overshadow all previous discussions and carried such dire significance to Southern neighbours. The subject under discussion was an ultimatum to the Governments of Australasia demanding the immediate annulment of the Asiatic Exclusion Act, and the right of free entry to their countrymen. In conclusion, the Premier, usually impassive, indulged in a short but impassioned peroration of his country's destiny. ,A significant allusion to the national emblem—the rising sun—evoked a ripple’ of applause. Dwelling for a moment on Japan's preparedness, ne reviewed the

past and present policy of his Government prior to the war with Russia, to the present day. The apex of our national aspirations. could be none other than territorial expansion, as an absolute and logical concomitant for our natTbnal welfare and ideals. Our long premeditated designs and aspirations have matured beyond our most sanguine expectations, expedited by foreign upheavals well.known to you all On summing up he skilfully fashioned such a picture of Eastern triumphs which in the newspapers of that eventful morning would fascinate and enthuse the public mind to a popular pitch when the distribution took place. “Japan,” he argued, ‘‘must seize this crucial moment to strike and for ever banish western interference in this Hemisphere by establishing Eastern supremacy for all time in a country acceptable in every degree to our adaptability and population. Secrecy which had hitherto been the keynote of our diplomacy need no longer be observed. The powers of Christendom no longer confront us as a possible obstacle. Outwitted the Occident must bow to the Inevitable.” Excitement was at fever heat throughout Australia! Absolute panic dominated all classes, for now after the nervous tension caused by the European conflagration a new thunderbolt had dropped suddenly in her midst. Without warning or intimation of any sort, a foreign fleet had appeared simultaneously off Port Phillip and also Port Jackson. Foreign ships had also been reported from other centres, flying the dreaded emblem of the Asiatic powers. A fortyknot destroyer entered Sydney Harbour unannounced and dropped anchor off Circular Quay. A scene approaching pandemonium prevailed when the news leaked out that the mission of the foreign warships was in some way connected with the Asiatic Exclusion laws. While business was almost entirely suspended, the citizens thronged in the vicinity of the large newspaper offices, eagerly discussing the sinister reports so alarmingly circulated. At exactly 10 a.m., the unusual quietness that prevailed in Georgestreet that eventful morning, was broken by the shrill voices of tire newsboys shouting the headlines of ths first extra issued bearing authentic news. “Mysterious foreign fleet anchored off Port Jack son.” “Telegraphic reports announce other vessels flying flags of China and Japan elsewhere.” “An ultimatum to Australian Government, the objective of fleet's visit.” At 10.30 a.m. a second extra was i-sued stating that it had been ascertained that the ultimatum presented demanded the immediate repeal of all Asiatic restrictions, wi.th the alternative of accepting hostilities within forty-eight hours. A third extra announced “Cable communication with New Zealand severed, and telegraphic communication with Queensland also interrupted.” A fourth capped all previous extras, by stating “Complete isolation of Australia.” “European service entirely cut off;” evidently the precon-

certed action on the part of the natieag now endeavouring to humiliate Australia. Later reports asserted the ominous fadl that several airships were seen hove* ing in the vicinity of the larger battloships, apparently attached to the fleet. At four p.m., the Government, through the Ch binet, issued the following bulletin:—“To the people of Australia. An ultimatum jointly issued by China and Japan was presented to your Government to-day, conveyed hither by warships of those respective countries, without - previous intimation as might be expected from supposedly friendly powers, who have and are, taking coercive measures to enforce their demands. The ultimatum not only calls for the immediate annulment of our exclusion laws, but emphatically demands certain privileges and sacrifices' on the part of Australia, which, if conceded, practically transforms this Continent into an Asiatic possession.” This was followed by the exact wording of the ultimatum in full, and concluded with the Government's eloquent answer, and instructions to her citizens, etc., etc. With commerce paralysed, her industries stricken, disorganised finances sustained in her heroic attempt to assist the Mother Country, in the desperate struggle to retain supremacy, Australia was in a sorry plight. With no efficient defences, no artillery of long range calibre —no military reserve, and no defence squadron, long since called Home to the threatre of war —a scanty population scattered over an immense area—despite all these short-comings she magnificently repudiates the ultimatum. Of the tragic finale little can now be written. Resistance, worthy of the noblest traits that tradition could show in the Anglo-Saxon character, was futile before an overwhelming, well organised host of invaders. Alone and unaided, defenceless Australia finally succumbed after all the important centres and strategic points were seized. New Zealand' suffering from similar disadvantages to her neighbour, met a like fate, in which her seaport towns were first subjected to a terrific and devastating bombardment, finally captured and garrisoned. Joint Chinese and Japanese proclamations were issued guaranteeing civil and publie rights under certain limitations to all citizens swearing allegiance to their conquerors and passing the sovereignty of Australia from Anglo-Saxon to Oriental control and dominion. Empires conceived by might of sword had thriven Needs by the law of things by sword again be riven; Birth and decay evolve from out the womb of time The universal law of change, eternal and sublime.