JAPAN'S FUTURE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2928, 14 November 1916, Page 9

JAPAN'S FUTURE

DREAMS OF EXPANSION

"GREAT ISLAND POWER OF THE PACIFIC" ' "Iwas very interested to read in a «ablegrani published by tho New Zealand newspapers the other day that Japan had agreed 'not to demand at tho "Peace Conference tho right to hold permanently the islands of tho Caroline and Marianne Groups,'" said a gentleman who has interested himself in Eastern questions, in conversation with a Dominion reporter. "Those islands aro not of very great value, from all accounts, bub apart from Kaiu Chau ; tho «x-German naval base on the Chinese coast, they represent all the terriorial advantage that Japan has secured in this war. Now, I have been in tho Far East recently, and I am absolutely convinced that the Japanese are expecting some substantial territorial advantage in return for their, efforts iu the cause of the Allies, Any other attitude on their part would be unnatural. 'They are resolute, self r conndent, and patriotic, and they know that the future of their race cannot be worked out in tho limited area of Japan itself, which is j already over-populated. I "What territory do they expect to secure? I have no definite information on that point. But I heard in Japan, and also in Australia, that the Japanese Government is taking up a'stronger •stand than over before with regard to tho rights, of Japanese emigrants. I was even told thai the. Japanese authorities have made!a.demaiid for the relaxation' of the Commonwealth's immigration laws in their favour, in view of the important assistance Japan has- rendered to the Empire during tho course of the war. It is. obvious that Japan has to extend either southwards or westwards; and it seems reasonable to helieveHhat her statesmen will bring pressure to bear in both directions. I do not believe for a moment that Japan, has aggressive designs towards Australia at the present time. The alliance with. Great Britain' forbids anything of that kind. But" the Japanese expect to be treated as equals by the white people,- whom they have assisted under arms. They .have a very high regard for their own dignity and honour, and they have indicated already that after .the war they are going to' press their claim for tho repeal o£ the anti-Japanese laws now in operation in California." Articles published recently in Japan- ; ese newspapers have some bearing upon this subject. An agreement conclud-' ed early this year by the Allied Powers recognised the right of Japan to exercise influence in China. The United States, the champion of the "open door" policy in China, was not a party to the agreement, and some of the Japanese publioists are predicting trouble in this conneotion. For example, the writer. of a. series of- articles in tho howspaper "Kokiimin," discussing the future of Japan, says that the United, States Government cannot bo permitted to secure the open door intho.Far East while at the same time closing the Americas againßt the Japanese by means of tho Monroe Doctrine. The United States "is not yof efficiently armed, either on land or on sea, but this notwithstanding, the Americans often go so far as to challenge other, nations to fight." The Japanese writer •■ predicts that the Americans will bo "more arrogant than ever" .when their new naval programme is completed, and after referring to the Californian controversy, says that there is no alternative for the Japanese but to enlarge their navy and prepare for all eventualities.

A well-known Japanese ' publicist, Mr. Takekoshi, has been urging in a series of articles that the.course, of Japan's advance should be southward, and not westward. He argues that as Japan is an insular Tower, it is a mistake to seek possessions on the mainland, where tho protection of' ac T quired territory may demand tho maintenance of a huge army as wel las of a .big and efficient navy. Germany has tried to bo supreme on sea as well as on land, and the results ought to be a warning to other Powers. Japan, .says Mr. Takekoshi, should determine to become "tho great island Power of the Pacific, gradually extending her influence until she dominates all the islands that lies in a chain from tho Aleutians to Java and Sumatra." The Dutch flag floats over Java and Su- . matra at the present time, and the Japanese writer thinks that Japan had better "ask Holland for -the islands at this moment, when the Powers are allowing Japan a free hand, and are doing nothing but cultivate friendship and goodwill/' "Strike the iron while it is hot,'' he- says. ."There may be no more opportunity to tako Java and Sumatra if the present ch'anco is lost.'.' He thinks, that the,consent of the United States to the venture could be won by the withdrawal of all Japaneso settlers from the Pacific coast s of America. - '■