Danger In The Pacific

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 150, 21 March 1939, Page 11

Danger In The Pacific

Sir, —The British. Australian and New Zealand Governments are beginning to open their eyes to the fact that there is danger in the Pacific in the event of an outbreak of war in Europe. And the awakening is long overdue. This morning’s sensational cables would lead one to believe that we are on the verge of a great political catastrophe, the eventuality of which would, without a shadow of doubt, precicipate a world conflict. The deadly nature of the danger in the Pacific in the event of such a contingency arising is much more real than is generally imagined. It must not be forgotten that at the height of the Czechoslovakian crisis Japanese warships were reported to have been sighted off the coast of New Guinea. And we must also remember that the Caroline and Marshall islands, formerly under German control, have now been fortified by the Japanese and declared part and parcel of their empire. Some few months ago Rear-Ad-miral Le Bigot, Commander-In-Chief of French naval forces in Far Eastern waters, in conversation with the naval, military and air commands at Singapore, stated that “it would be futile of any Power or combination of Powers attempting to compete with Japan in the Far East ship for ship. Japan has naval power far superior, not in efficiency but i'n tonnage and armament, to the combined British, French and Dutch naval forces. But,” added RearAdmiral Le Bigot, “this superiority can be counteracted by the use of smaller craft.”

Japan is, I should say, about eight days steam from New Guinea, and New Guinea in the hands of a hostile Power would constitute a grave menace to Australia and New Zealand. It bus magnificent harbours and natural seaplane bases. New Guinea is no distance from Thursday Island, and Thursday Island is some 25 miles from the coast of North Queensland. The island, about 800 acres in extent, is of immense strategic importance, as it commands the passage through which all ships must pass from the Orient to the Indian and Pacific oceans. The island is under the jurisdiction of the Queensland Government and is the Gibraltar of Torres Strait. The Japanese are the dominant coloured race there, and to all intents and purposes they practically own and control the island, at least they did so when I was there some 30 years ago. In those days they had their own boatbuilding yards and co-operative stores. We must not forget that in the event of Great Britain being involved in a European war she could not send a single battleship to our assistance if we were attacked. Lieutenant-Com-mander Fletcher (Labour) sensed the position shrewdly and logically when he said in the House of Commons on Friday last that “British interests in the Far East have gone up in smoke because pressure at Home forbade us to send out ships. If we had to fight in two hemispheres it would be necessary to let events rip in the Far East.” But, disquieting as today’s cables were. I could not repress a smile when I perused the one which informed us that the Japanese Ambassador at Berlin had conveyed his Government’s hearty congratulations for the unexampled success achieved in the last few days, Japan being convinced that "Herr Hitler’s decision signifies an extremely important step toward the pacification of Europe and the maintenance of world peace.” I thought that “pacification of Europe and maintenance of world peace” was delightful.—l am, etc., J. A. WALSH. Pahiatua, March 20.