MORNING POST’S ARTICLE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1923, Page 3

MORNING POST’S ARTICLE

JAPAN* IX THE PACIFIC. AMERICA AND BRITAIN. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) LONDON. June I t. Even more than 'the European nn"tions, Ameriea has every right to protect herself against the Asiatic domination of the Pacific, where her trade and other interests are enormous. While Japan was the ally of Britain there is little potential dauber, tint the AYashington Conference changed all that. America, for the first time, finds herself with serious rivalry to trade, the influence of which might easily he translated into actual war. Japan’s resent incut against America’s immigration laws linds expression in her determination to exclude America from further influence among Asiatic shores. To guard her Asiatic trade routes America has kept strong armed forces at. Hawaii and the Philippines, Put it would not he difficult, from hormosn. for the Japanese Navy to prevent American reinforcements reaching Manila before a shattering blow was delivered to America's sovereignty in the Philippines. A combined Japanese offensive against Hong Kong and Manila could readily sterilise miv joint effort made by Britain and America, and so the two nnti us should join hands on the spot. Singapore therefore occupies a very important position from the American, ~s well as from the British viewpoint. matters stand. America’s possessions in the Ear East become merely a ripe plum for Japanese picking if H ever ,•miles to hostilities. There are however, many reasons why Japan should not pick a quarrel with Ameriea. lhese are ehiellv economic. America ton. ha-even-tiling to lose and nothing to gam bv picking a quarrel with Japan. The Washington Conference gave Japan a preponderance of light cruisers, and submarines which, with her ainn. renders her diplomatic- position impregualJe The most serious problem of tile E-ir East, however, is not Japan’s attitude towards her neighbours, hut m the attitude of all nations towards the Western ]>eoples, and such e" 1 !- y 1 case, preventive measures by the Western Nations should not be discouraged. Whether Britain or America sustains the first blow, the result will bo tin same, and civilisation will be onto more at stake. This time the peul will not he from our blood hiotluis. hut from Oriental domination of Hr., world, which will result in the enslavement of all free institutions.