A GERMAN MARE’S NEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2052, 12 April 1907, Page 1

A GERMAN MARE’S NEST.

ANGLO-JAR. LEAGUE AGAINST AMERICA-GERMAN Y.

LONDON, February 22,

A brand now mare’s nest lias just boon discovered by Commandor Capollo ,n Gerninii naval oificor, on tbo retired list, who lias written a book in order to explain to his countrymen why England and Japan have concluded an alliance, and against whom these two 'countries arc concentrating their forces, it is perfectly evident, he contends, that both England and Japan are arming and preparing for a great war. England makes no secret of the fact that sho considers a lifo-and-death struggle with Germany and the United States inevitable, and “the Japanese nation is being incessantly driven forwards by hunger and ambition.” The alliance botween England and Japan is, in the opinion of Commander Capello, unnatural from several points of view, but chiefly because both countries pursue the same aims in the East. The alliance is no peace alliance; that concluded in 1902 was directed against the common enemy, Russia, and it' has been renewed now with the object of breaking the influence of Amorica.

According to the author, the Government of the United States is fully alive to the situation, and it considered its own interests when it offered its services to assist in bringing about peace between Japan and Russia. The United States saw that nothing was to bo feared from Russia for many years to come, but they were not desirous of seeing Japan’s ambition fed further by increased successes over the enemy, and for the same reason used every effort to get the Japanese conditions reduced to a minimum. The war and the peace have left Japan poorer than ever, “and Government and people are again united in the intention to secure by another war what their two last wars did not yield them.” Japan has a growing population which needs opportunity for expansion. None of the territory which the two previous wars have brought under Japanese influence is calculated to provide a home for her excess of population or to assist the Homo Government financially. Commander Capelle comes to the conclusion that all Japan desires can be supplied by the Philippine Islands. The possession of these by Japan would be of eminent advantage to her from every point of view, economically, politically, and strategically—and there is no doubt that in the industrious hands of the Japanese this group of Islands would soon occnpy a position of the litmdst importance in the world’s jiolitics, and in maritime matters generally. The author says: “The United States of America and Japan feel instinctively that differences are arising between them which, as was the case with Russia, these differences are here again aggravated by the fact that England has a very pronounced interest in seeing the United States involved in a war calculated to weaken the latter country, and to frustrate its panAmerican efforts.” He adds: “Wo (i.e., Gormany) should, therefore, not close our eyes to the probability that we are on tile eve of a war in the course of which the Philippines are to be wrested from the United States in • the interests of Japan, while England will endeavor to profit by the opportunity to consolidate her influence on the American continent, which is at present on the wane.” Japan has such advantages on her, •suie mat' she heed not despair of gaining her object. The superiority of her fleet' and of her army, for example, the inadequate means of transport possessed by the Americans ; the possession of the Pescadores group, which form an excellent base for naval operations against the Philippines, whereas America’s nearest possession is the island of Guam, about 1500 sea miles distant. Moreover, Japan would take care that the war breaks out before the opening of the Panama Canal gives America easy access to the Pacific.

Now comes England’s part in the !scheme. In the view of Commander Cajielle, England is menaced politically and economically by the United States, and must ta'kc measures to avert the threatened dangers. It would be difficult, however, for her to assume the offensive in view of the vast' length of the Atlantic coast of the United States, and consequently she is seeking to attain her ends with the help of the Japanese. England, he assumes, will not content herself with merely supporting Japan financially ; she aims at the establishment in America of a great union under the leadership of Canada, to which all the other Republics pf the New World shall belong. As the realisation of this dream must cause English and German commercial interests to clash, “England null not hesitate a moment’ to assume the offensive against us if the Government considers that the interests of the country would thereby be furthered.” The author strongly urges the necessity of preparing to meet this contingency and of sparing no efforts that would conduce to the production of a great German navy, up to date in every respect. This idea fits in, of course, with the views po strenuously held by the Kaiser, and the writer shpuld fig)} favor with his (Sovereign. At the same time, the mere notion of a secret- plot between England and Japan to crush Germany and America is almost a shade too farcical.