The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1913. DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 287, 3 April 1913, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1913. DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC.

There is a pretty general conviction that the Pacific Ocean will, at no distant date, he the t.rena of a great naval conflict. It is evident to careful observers that within a short time Japan, and at ( a later date China, will demand entry for their people into the unoccupied lands that face the Pacific in Australasia, South America, the United States and Canada. Two or three days ago a Japanese Admiral, with a candor that was almost brutal, practically, confessed that, were it not for the lack of money, bis country would now be building a navy strong enough to beat "a certain Power." There is no doubt that the Power he alluded to is the United States. Japan is desirous of possessing the Philippine and the Hawaiian Islands, and aims at obtaining freedom to plant colonies of her subjects on the western seaboards of North and South America. "Uncle Sam" has been forewarned of this, and his reply to Japanese designs has been to strongly fortify the Hawaiian Islands and to push on the construction of the Panama Canal, so as to allow of the rapid concentration of warships in the Pacific. Had Japan been in a position to strike now, she could have defeated the United States at sea: but when the inter-oceanic canal is completed, her chance of even a temporary victory will be gone. Foiled in that direction, the Japanese may cast covetous eyes on Australia. Not many months ago a Japanese writer, with a candor exceeding that of the admiral we have quoted,, publicly advocated the seizure of Australia by Japan, while Germany, .in alliance with the Eastern Power, would be given New Zealand. Such a predatory programme might be capable of realisation; but. as in the case of America, time is fighting against the 'little brown man." Australia has been fully awakened to the seriousness of the position'and is making strenuous efforts to establish a navy of her own. We do not approve of the separatist ideals of some Australian statesmen, but we cannot withhold admiration for the bold and independent defence policy which the Government is pursuing. v It would have been preferable, we think, had Australia placed her navy entirely at the disposal of the Imperial authorities. She has, however, chosen to retain control of her own ships; and, since she has, deliberately .adopted that policy, .she is deserving of all praise for the energy and foresight shown in carrying it into effect. : .Mr.-Fisher's announcement of the Government's determination to lay down immediately the keels of another Dreadnought, of three destroyers and several submarines, is particularly opportune. The arrival of H.M.S. New Zealand, the largest warship hitherto seen south of the line, is an impressive demonstration to envious nations that Britons are resolved to "bold their own" in the Southern Pacific. New Zealand's splendid example in presenting ' this-battleship--to the British Government has doubtless done something to stimulate Australia, to greater effort. Canada'also is being stirred to increased activity in the matter of naval defence. The figures quoted by Mr. Fisher of the amounts spent by Britain and her oversea dominions on defence are significant. They show that Australia is closely approximating Great Britain in her expenditure on defence per head of population, while New Zealand is a good •third, with Canada spending only about one-half of the younger Dominion per capita. The. avowed object of the additional vessels to be provided by Australia is the defdnce of the Pacific. It is, therefore, in no'spirit of narrow nationalism that Mr. Fisher and his colleagues propose to found an Australian ■navy. The Australian ships will act in full co-operation with the British Navy, and with the ships that are provided by Canada and New Zealand. In view of this the people of New Zealand may well feel a greater sense of security than they have for some years past. If it should ever come to a crucial trial of strength between Asiatic Powers and the people occupying lands bordering on the Pacific, we may also feel assured that the United States would be found co-operating with Britain and her dominions. "Blood is thicker than water," and the cause of civilisation and progress is, a much greater thing than mere self-preservation or the furtherance of 'purely selfish ends. The defence movements now proceeding, and the international strife that seems imminent, are making for a united Anglo-Saxon-dom that is destined to "hold a fretful realm in awe" and secure the peace of the world.