The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-15
JAPAN WANTS SUPREMACY IN
 THE PACIFIC
Germany's Noted Expert Says the Japs Are Preparing to Strike and Soon
Plans Are to Seize Philippines, Hawaiian, Samoan and Guam Islands
Especial from United Press.)

Especial from United Press.)
 Berlin, March 15-"An American nav al base, constructed in the Philippines is an intolerable menace to Japan. Su- premacy in the waters of the far east is life necessity to Japan and her statesmen, realizing this, are planning to strike and soon,'' declares Count Ernest Reventlow, Germany's most noted strategical expert and writer on military subjects. He will publish in a few days a carefully prepared essay on Japanese-American relations, of which he furnished the United Press, today, advance proofs.
 'It will not be denied even by those who have hitherto been skeptical," |" says the Count, that Japan Is prepar- ing for an aggressive war against the United States. The main object of the war against Russia was not the annexation of land but to prevent per- manent occupation by Russia of Korea, Kwantung and Port Arthur.
 Leading Japanese statesmen are now convinced that Japan, as a great power, cannot continue to exist unless she possesses naval supremacy in the Pacific. She must continue to com- mand the Chinese market. America as
 
 has for one of its main objects the conquest of Chinese markets by creat- ing shorter way of communication between Americas Atlantic ports and the Chinese coast.
 '"The Japanese plans for conquest provide for the seizure of the Philip pines, the Hawaiin Islands, the Sa- moan Island and Guam. This means that Japan would create a permanent and unalterable advantage for herself. The most powerful American fleet conceivable would be helpless in such an immense area so that the capture of these bases by the Japanese would mistress of the Pacific ocean.
 There is no doubt that Japan is now in position to seize these islands because they are either unfortified or insufficiently fortified and efficient protection by the American fleet is i'm possible.
 Sudden seizure of these islands is neither improbable nor impossible. It must be remembered that the time is rapidly approaching when Japana will be compelled to defend her political and commercial position under less favorable circumstances so that this reason operates in favor of the earliest possible seizure of Americas Pacific possessions. That American officials realize this is shown by a feverish haste to fortify the Panama Canal.
 "A very significant sidelight on Japan's attitude toward the use of the Philippines as a naval base was af- forded by the fact that a large float ing dock, conveyed to the port of Oleongapo with great difficulties, de- veloped a leak in most inexplicable manner and sank. This and many cir 1 that have been kept quiet l show that Japan is almost ready to | deprive America of her naval bases be- | fore the American fleet grows to such | an extent that it's superiority over the Japanese navy is overwhelming United States for failing to fortify ,erred to the fact that Admiral Dewey, after the Portsmouth | Peace Conference, said that Japan would soon become too powerful for he United States. Japan was hard | 1t work preparing for war, he says, when the American fleet went to the Pacific and this produced temporary but Japan is now ready % strike.
 Summing up his conclusions, the Count says:
 ''The seizure of the islands belong ng to America, in the Pacific, would )e essentially an act of defense on he part of Japan, notwithstanding he aggressive character of realizing he plan. I repeat it is a big ques- ion for Japan and there is no doubt whatever that her rulers are fully lware of this truth