THE JAPANESE MENACE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 182, 31 January 1912, Page 5

THE JAPANESE MENACE.

NO REASON FOR APPREHENSION.

By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, Janup.iy 30. An official of the British Embassy in Japan, who is visiting Sydney, states that .the Japanese Government has offered a subsidy for a new steam service in the South Seas. This will probably 'start on March 1, confining its operation' to the Caroline-and Gilbert groups and outlying islands. Later it will probably go to other piaces. He did not think Australia had need to fear a Japanese overflow, but they were looking towards the South Sea 'islands, and he did not see how they could be kept from going ALLEGED SINISTER DESIGNS. A PARTIAL EXPLANATION. f Received 30, 8 p.m. . ' ' Sydney, January v 30." The Japanese Consulate professes to know nothing of -the reported new line of steamers for the Pacific Islands. 1 -Mrßv-Gogswell, Commissioner at the Gilbert Islands, at present in Sydney, says there is no reason that he knows of why Japan should run steamers there. The trade is insufficient to warrant it. Japan could gain nothing by seeking to settle the islands, and any attempt to seize them would embroil her with Britain, Germany and France. Japanese activity in the islands cannot be directed towards trade or settlement, and she must have some other object. The only possible danger to Australia is that they might want to create secret depots and coaling stations, which would be of great strategic importance in the event of an attack on Australia.