THE NEXT WORLD WAR

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 154, 17 July 1937, Page 15

THE NEXT WORLD WAR

Japanese Officer's Book

"If tbere as to be a eonflict between Japan and tbe ITnited States, it must be over a Cbina problem. So it amounts fco this: tbat if Japan and China can act amicably in tbe future, and solve all pending questions between them, tbere will be no fear of war between Japan and Ameriea. And if tbere is no fear of a Japano-American war, tben there ds no- neqessity for Ameriea to build sucb a pdwerful navy in order to eurb Japan 's advance," writes Lt.Oommander Tota Isbimaru in bis book, "Tbe Next World War." • « • "So tbe argument can be closed," tbe writer goes on, "by saying tbat Sino-Japanese co-operation can eliminate tbe causes of a Paeific war, an unnecessary armaments race, and even tbe .necessity of Anglo-American cooperation. And, Stdll more significant, it would serve as a preventive of a second world war. Both Cbina and Japan shonld be ready to appreciate tbis fact. If, on tbe otber band, tbese fellow-Orientals insist on quarrelling witb eacb otber, tben tbe eonsequences -will be a powerful eombination of Great Britain and tbe TJndted States to be faced, and tbe result will be tbe ruin of botb tbese leading nations in tbe Orient. "The foreign Powers deep down are aispleased witb Japan," says Commander Isbimaru in tbe final ehapter of bis book, "in regard to ber recent actions. "Thedr* attitude of observers does not mean that tbey approve, even taeitly, of tbese aetions. Tbey are compelled to take this attitude simply on account of tbeir attentions being absorbed bv tbeir own internal troubles. Tf tbe Japanese people sbould become over-eonfident beeause of tbeir modest

successesj they may wake'np one day to find tbemselves facing tbo wbola world as tbeir enemyj and tbey will tben meet tbe same fate as did Germany. "Confidence an oneself and not being afraid of tbe world may be admirable enougb, but if one becomes complacent and conceited^ disregarding tbe jusfc claims of otbers, and without actual power to Bustain ono's confidenCe, one is only courting collapse. So let ns be prudent. Even after victory keep a tigbt bold on y ourselves; and never forget tbat national development and expansion depend not on one's figbting abdlity against otber nations, but upofi eo-operating with tbem. "Tbe Japanese ara always doughty on tbe field of battle, but tbe ability to be tbat only does not constitute a great nation* tTnless we can sbow crea* ive and constructive talent In peacetime, we cannot be called a great nation. Japan Has already sbown ber constructive ability for tbe iake of tbe world 's peace by making leading sng-' gestdons at tbe London Disarmament Conference, tbus enabling tbe world t® get a glimpse of Japan 's determined cbaracter. ".Wby not go a step further and propose an epoeh-making plan to cave tbe world from falling into cbaosf *WEy not lead tbe world in tbis way? A' really great nation is a nation creative in peace as well as "effective in waf.'" Altbougb Commander Isbimaru dnterprets tbe situation in tbe Pacific~%& be jsees it, he gives bis views on tbe clash I of interests of France, Bussia and Gerjmanv. He foresees trouble over tbe Danube basin, and insists tbat Ge r-> many, Italy and Japan are determined to upset the statu's quo.