PROBLEMS OF THE PACIFIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1923, Page 4

PROBLEMS OF THE PACIFIC.

.1A FAX’S SURPLUS MILLIONS. LONDON, June 9. By arrangement with the “Morning Post” the. ’ Australian and Xew Zealand Press Association begins a series of articles on new problems created in the Pacific ns a result of the Great War, the Washington Agreement and the desire of the Japanese Km pi re for expansion. The articles have been written by a special correspondent, who litis just returned after a prolonged visit to Japan, China, Singapore and the Fat’ East generally, undertaken for the purpose of studying on the spot those problems. Within the last two months two events have occurred which should serve to focus the British Empire’s thoughts on the Far East. In the first place was the Admiralty's determination to convert Singapore into a naval base to maintain British prestige and protect British trade in Pacific waters, a determination which met with strong opposition from those who look no farther than Europe and imagine that tlienatural defensive aerial measures of another great Power may have sinister intent towards a late comrade in arms. The second event, which probably attracted but little- attention either at home or abroad, was the delivery ol an address by Professor Hishitmma to the Japan Society ill Loudon, entitled

••The Main Features of the Japanese Problem,” in which he stated that unless some of tin? Western nations realised their mistaken attitude towards Eastern nations a struggle between East and West would involve the whole of humanity iu the most disastrous war the world over had seen. This address, doubtless by a coincidence, followed clo>ely the public announcement of the development ol the Singapore scheme, therefore it is not inappropriate to endeavour to visualise the main features of the Japanese and oiler Pacific problems from the English and American viewpoint.

The population of tho main Japanese islands is steadily increasing to an a'-t-mishini' degree and at the present moment there are about 3311 inhabitants to the square mile, although only ab-nit Pi per cent ol the land is available for habitation and cultivation. The same population problem at various times in history lias presented it*.4f in England. Germany and other great nations. The Japanese, from the similarity of their geographical situation, have closely studied England's remedy for over-population, and are beginning 111 feel aggrieved Dial tliev have no overseas dominions to cope with would-be emigrants. The time is nut far distant when it will be impossible I'm- tho average adult male Japanese to find work or gages within hi-, own isle-, under present conditions, lie is. therefore, t- -.instantly scanning the surrounding count ries ol the world for an ell! let. Korea serves onlv tit a limited sense as a field for exploitation, not for settlement. Korea’s main value t i Japan is strategic. It serves as an excellent backdoor h-rtress. also as a direct connecting link v, ith southern Manchuria and the northern provinces of ( liiun. The Korean railways are a great tribute to Japanese engineering and military foresight. Formosa can absorb very 111 tie more immigration since its interior is mostly mountains and forests. Mere again Japan’s main advantage in llitisland is its strategic situation in relation In the Philippines, Hung Kong and Fukien. Ilet mandatory i-lamls in the Pacific are ol little use from a migration stamlpo 1 lit. Where, then, is she to look—Canada. the I'nited States, Sotit.lt America nr Australia? In these countries in groaler or lesser degree the white man has wen for himself from nature a p>~it ion and a living bv his own efforts and without outside a:-xis!au*lie found in them indigenous native poyu-lali-.-us which did no wmk and tepidly deterinrated. Further, the white man knows that his chance el existence is to keep up his racial standard, and he regards coloured immigration from Asia as the precursor of a lowered living standard and debasing tin* blood standard. It is true there lias been limited admission of both Chinese anti .iau.me e into i he conn! ries mentioned, inn it seldom is found that these immigrants become real eitixens of their

adopted count rv, while irom their lu'i.i's in living 1 1 icy are almost always able in do some while man otii of job. I- ii any wnlider. therefore, that the (toverniiiiiits of Cnuada, the ITuTed Stale- and Australia refuse to consider l lie possibility of furl her Chinese or Japan'"-;- immigration? Japan might • ay. a- Fru'e■ -or 11 ishiiilima recently dec!:! red. tlii'l she would limil the number of her migrant's so a- not to lit 1 11 1 the |C aee of her neighbours. The i J dec; ion to this is that she could ic.l p.i-siidy impose a limit agreeable to all, and Asiatics are by no means c-'lihates. There would. therefore, seem to he no immediate chance of Japan ohl aiiiing aa outlet lor her pi point inn in any of the countries mentioned. The Japanese, realising this, begin to consider why the few hundred miles of sea separating them from China should prevent their gradual! v obtaining control of the Middle Kingdom lior.-elt. Cliina is a vast poteiiiia! reservoir of labour and only awaits inspired organisation in produce goads of all kinds ni prices which, in the Pacific at least, would undercut every oilier productive nation on 'the face of the earth, and Japan, who is the most racially akin, desires this powerhouse for herself. In spile of China's large population it. i- slid possible for a con.-iderahle number of Japanese to be absorbed, while a large number of Japanese who otherwise would he workless could he profit ibiy employed in Japanese industries fed hv Chinese raw material. There is yet another remedy, birth control, hut this does not find favour in Japanese eyes, and it does not affect the surplus population of to-day.