The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-26
Japan's Control of the Pacific.

The control of the Pacific Is
awarded to Japan by at least two
writer's. one an American, the other
a Japanese-Homer Lea and Satori
Kato. The former states his views
in THE Valor of Ignorance" a work
which contains an array of argu-
ments to show that America, in COM
parison with Japan, is unprepared
for a struggle with the Eastern
Asiatics and that Japan has already
practical control of the Pacific and
could with efficient resistance seize
the Philippines, Hawaii, Panama,
California. Maj.-Gen. j. p. Story,
U. S. A., in introduction to Mr.. Lea's
work, thus summarizes and indorses
that writer's conclusion:
Japan has now supremacy in the
Pacific. In the event of war, that
supremacy could not be challenged
until after we had constructed a
sufficient fleet of colliers. Japan
can within three months land on the
Pacific Coast 100000 troops, and
seize, with only insignificant resist
ance, Seattle, Portland, San Fran
cisco, and Los Angeles. A barrier
of mountains and deserts makes the
defense of the Pacific Slope an easy
matter against an attack from the
East, and only from that direction
could the United States hope to re-
capture its lost territory. Mr..
Lea clearly shows that we are con-
fronted by conditions which may
imperil our national security, peace,
and welfare. No candid mind, who
carefully reads Mr.. Lea's book, can
draw any other conclusion. 1t is
to be hoped that the book may
arouse a public sentiment through
out the country which will lead to
full and serious consideration of
problem which should no longer be
ignored"
This double testimony agrees in
general with the views of the Japan
ese expert, given in the Hamburger
Nachrichten, a journal generally
favorable to Japan. The title of this
brochure of the Toxic speculator is
entitled Mastery of the Pacific"
and it opens with a sarcastic refer
ence to the cruise round the world
made by the American squadron, of
which we read:
"In conducting their modern
armada round the world the United
States of America have merely made
marvellous display Of naval luxury"
The writer proceeds to state that
Japan has mastered her problem of
naval construction. The Govern
ment can produce at home the ma
terials, including steel, needed for
their shipbuilding. Labor and ma
terials are much cheaper in Japan
than in either America or even
Europe. The personnel of the Jap
anese Navy is composed of patriots,
well known in the districts to which
they belong. These men scarcely
demand salaries or wages. To quote
the words of this writer:
"In the event of war, Japan
could, as If aided by the wand of a
magician, overrun the Pacific with
fleets manned by men who have
made Nelson their model and trans
ported to the armadas of the Far
East the spirit that was victorious
at Trafalgar. :. Whether Japan
avows 1t or not, her persistent aim
is to gain the hegemony of the Pa
cific.
Although peace seems to prevail
over the world at present, no one
can tell how soon the nations may
be entangled in war. It does not
need the English alliance to secure
success for Japan. That alliance
may be dissolved at any moment,
but japan will suffer no defeat. Her
victory will be won by her men, not
by armor plates, things weak in COM
parison. ."-Translation made for
The Literary Digest.