JAPAN AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2363, 20 January 1915, Page 6

JAPAN AND THE WAR

PACIFIC; ISLANDS QUESTIONS. An American correspondent's views of the questions arising out of Japan's part in the war are given in the following dispatch forwarded from Tokio under date of November 10, to the New York "Evening Post" ; — The fall of Tsingtau naturally was received with wild acclaim throughout Jaiwii., The people regard it as the first decisive victory over Germany since the great war began, and hope that the European Allies will take it as an omen of the ■ future. During the;operation of safeguarding the Pacific, Japan has come into possession of the Marshall ajid the Caroline Islands, and has already replaced the German by Japanese officials there. The. question as to the permanency of Japan's occupation has yet to be settled. The general opinion in Japan is. that these islands should bo retained. To Japan this is one of the most important things that has to be adjusted after the war. Indeed, there is a Very general conviction in Japan that the questions arising out of the war will prove more difficult, and in reality far. more important, than the war itself. Her public* ists and leaders of thought are already emphasising the opinion that the whole future of the Japanese Empire will depend on how her diplomacy succeeds in settling the great questions outstanding'after the struggle is over. Certainly one of the most important of these questions is _. the disposition of ICiao-chau and the islands now held by Japan in the South Pacifio. The shrewdness of Britain in making the Kiao-chau campaign a joint undertaking is fully appreciated in Japan; and not altogether with optimism. To many it appears that the presence of the small British force both by land and sea was of -no value to Japan, and that the plan was adopted in view of its moral influence on tho settlement of the final disposition of the conquered territory.' That this is the view taken by many Japanese there is no doubt. And consequently there is a propensity to regard the move as calculated to deprive Japan of her laurels if not complete fruition'of victory. Needless to say the Imperial Government has shown ■ no sign of approving public opinion in this respect, the welcome offered to British participation being ostensibly' cordial.