JAPAN'S PART.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1917, Page 4

JAPAN'S PART.

ADMIRAL YAMAJI’S GREAT

SPEECH

In a notable speech in Sydney, responding to the toast of “ The Allies,” Admiral Yamaji, of the Japanese Navy, gave an interesting account of Japan’s part in the war. , . . “ We are engaged in the greatest struggle ever recorded in history, ’ he said. “We are fighting for the sake of humanity, for the preservation of the world’s civilisation, and to overthrow the appalling German designs against the world’s peace. Reference has been made to the services rendered by the Japanese Jjavy since the outbreak of the war. I now take the liberty to explain briefly what we have done, and may perhaps disclose some things which have not previously been made known.

“ It was on the 4th day of August,' 1914, that Great Britain declared war against Germany,and Japan did not hesitate long before also entering the struggle. We put forth oin full weight without the slightest hesitation, not because we desired any gain or benefit, but because we were convinced that the interests of mankind were at stake. We joined in this war in obedience to the dictates ot our sentiment of honour, which is a household word among the Japanese people, and which impelled us to keep strictly to the terms of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. i

“ The declaration ol war against Germany was followed by three different naval activities on the part of Japan. First, in the blockade of Kiau-chao, which rapidly destroyed the German naval base in the Far East. “ Secondly, m conjunction with the Australian fleet under Admiral Patey, m the search for the nest of German cruisers (Scliarnliorst and others) under Admiral Von Spee, the result of which was that the enemy’s cruisers were driven away from the Pacifier only to meet their fate off the Falkland Islands. Thirdly, we co-operated with the allied navies in the chase' of the German raider Emden, which escaped from Kiauchao before the blockade was started, and by skilful manrcuvring in the Indian Ocean created a position of trouble and danger which is still fresh in our memory. However, her life, though merry, was not long, and was ended by the historic action of Captain Glossop, the present captain in charge of Garden Island, and who at that time commanded the victorious cruiser named alter this beautiful city of Sydney. « Although by the destruction of the German Asiatic fleet danger was removed from the Pacific as well as from the Indian Ocean yet, we did not withdraw all our ships from the different theatres, but left some of them stationed near Singapore and Colombo to patrol the adjacent seas; and they have been there ever since. .

“But this was not all. At the beginning of this year, as you are all aware, Germany adopted the policy of scattering armed raiders to all the oceans, assisted by sub - marines, with the view of cutting off the; food supply of Britain. In the middle of February some ships were sunk off Colombo, and also off the Cape of Good Hope. This menace caused widespread gloom, and co-operation was asked by the British Government and promptly

responded to by Japan ; and, accordingly, Japanese ships have since been despatched to various oceans and seas. It may perhaps surprise you to learn that the Indian Ocean is now kept guarded by Japanese cruisers. We have many vessels there. You might find it difficult to believe, unless you heard it from authority as reliable as my own word to youhere to-day is, that Japanese inen-of war are operating in the Mediterranean Sea, but it is true. No one who has travelled lately in the Mediterranean could fail to see, from time to time, Japanese ships. “ Nor must the fact be overlooked that some of our vessels are operating in very close proximity to your own shores. Some of you, perhaps, who have had experience of visits of qur training squadrons to Australia in past times may have noticed the absence of cadets from our present ship’s company. This may. be explained by the fact that our training ships have been sent here on peace missions for the education of cadets, but we are here on active service to educate the German raiders if they dare to approach these shores. Our ships are here to police this part of the Pacific Ocean, and I regard it as a most happy circumstance that the duty has fallen upon me to take command of them.

“ We are ready to meet any possible emergency, and I hope that our presence will free this country

from enemy marauders. As far as the task of convoying transports and other duties are concerned, it would he inadvisable to say more at present. “I thirik I have made it clear that we have not been idle since the outbreak of the war, and what we have done and are still doing is for the sake of civilisation and hu • manity, and to show our fidelity to the letter and' the spirit of the Auglo-Japanese Alliance. “There is no doubt that our enemy at the present time is as desperate as he is treacherous, and in order to conquer him unswerving determination must be shown all the time, and correspondingly heavy sacrifices are unavoidable. However, as long as Prussian militarism eudeavous to dominate civilisation, we must fight to the bitter end, and not sheathe the sword until that militarism has been utterly destroyed. “On the Western front, where your ‘ Anzacs ’ have become a terror to the Prussian Guards, matters appear to be progressing favourably, yet the time for peace may still be remote. And, although there is no reason, for pessimism or undue alarm, yet we must not fail to realise that the position is sufficiently grave. We must realise that this struggle demands determination, alertness and energy, and that everyone must face the situation with steadfastness, and willingly make all necessary sacrifices for the sake of their country and mankind. This is a time when all civilised nations, irrespective of nationality or language, should fight side by side under one flag, the flag of humanity, as they really belong to one empire, the empire i of civilisation.

“ Most cordially do I thank you, on behalf of my officers and myself, for the warmth with which you have received the toast of ‘ The Allies,’ and most heartily do I wish for the welfare of this great and glorious Commonwealth.” When Admiral Yamaji resumed his seat at the conclusion o( this historic speech, there was a scene of the greatest enthusiasm, the applause lasting for several minutes.

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