The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-03-16
JAPAN WILL SEIZE
. PACIFIC ISLANDS
Celestial kingdom to Main
tain MARITIME Supremacy
Must Have Stations.

Berlin, March 16-"An American
naval base, constructed in the Philip
pines. is an intolerable menace to ia
pan. Supremacy 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 Raventlow, Germany's most
noted stratcgical expert and writer on
military subjects. He will publish in
a few days carefully prepared es-
say on Japanese-American relations
of which he furnished the United
Press advance proofs.
1T 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 tSates. The main object
of the war against Russia was not
the annexation of land, but to oppose
by Russia permanent occupation OF
Korea.
Leading japanese statesmen are
now convinced that Japan as a great
power, cannot continue to exist UNI.
less she possess naval supremacy in
the Pacific. She must continue to
command the Chinese market Ameri-
ca is her rival here and the Panama
canal has for one of its main objects
the conquest of the Chinese markets
by creating a shorter way of commun-
icatiOn between Americas Atlantic
ports and the Chinese coasts.
The japanese plans of conquest
rrOvid" for the seizure of the Philip
pines the Hawaiian islands. the Am
erican Samoan islands and Guam. By
this means Japan would create a per
manent and unalterable advantage for
herself. The most powerful American
fleet conceivable would be helpless in
such an immense area of operation as
the Pacific without advance bases, so
that the capture of these bases by the
japanese would render that country
the undisputed mistress of the Pacific
ocean.
Japan Could Strike.
There is no doubt that Japan is
now in position to seize these is
lands. because they are unfortified or
unsufficiently fortified
Sudden seizure of these islands is
neither improbable nor impossible. II
must be remembered that the time
is rapidly approaching when Japan
will be compelled to defend her politi-
cal and commercial position under less
favorable circumstances so that this
reason operates in favor of the ear
hest possible seizure of Americas Pa
cific possessions. That American Of
ficials realize this is shown by the fe
verish haste to fortify the Panama
canal
"A very insignificant sidelight on
Japan's attitude toward the use of the
Philippines as naval base was afford
ed by the fact that a large floating
dock. conveyed 10 Olongapo with
great difficulties, developed a leak in
most inexplicible manner and sank
This and many circumstances that
have been kept quiet show that Japan
is almost ready to deprive America of
her naval base before the American
superiority over the Japanese navy
is overwhelming.
Criticizes United States.
The count severely criticiZes the
United States for failing to properly
fortify its Pacific possessions. despite
the fact that Admiral Dewey imme-
diately after the Portsmuth peace con-
ference, predicted that Japan would
soon become too powerful for the Tn
tied States.
japan, the count says. is now ready
to strike. Summing up his conclus-
ions, the writer says:
The seizure of the islands belong
ing to America in the Pacific would
be essentially an act of defense on the
part of Japan. notwithstanding the
aggressive character of realizing the
plan. | repeat it is life question for
Japan and there is no doubt whatever
that her rulers are fully awar of this
truth