The Washington times., 1914-08-16

Germany is completely occupied In
the North Sea, where her fleet Is mass
ed preparing for the great naval battle
with the English feet which will, In
all likelihood, be the greatest naval
battle in the worlds history, and de-
eide whether the supremacy of the seas
is to remain in British hands or go to
the Germans. Japan will not soon find
as favorable a moment as the present
to wage war against Germany in the
Pacific Ocean.
The world has seen enough Of Japan's
shrewd diplomacy during the last
quarter of a century to be convinced
that she will not lightly disregard her
opportunity of the moment to obtain
what she wants from Germany in tue
Pacific.
Great Britain has an alliance with
Japan, the exact terms of which are
secret. 1t is supposed to be only a de-
fensive alliance, in which case Japan
could not enter into Great Britain s
operations in the Pacific against Ger
many unless Germany became the ag-
gressor in the first place and Great
Britain's Pacific possessions were
threatened. But British diplomacy,
strong as 1t is, may not be equal to the
task. Of keeping her ally neutral when
Japan has so much to GAIN
May Involve United States.
II Japan unfurls the battle flag in
the Pacific ocean. ostensibly to help
Great Britain against Germany there
and openly to fight for the suppress
sion of German encroachments in the
neighborhood of her own empire, 1t
will, in the opinion Of some diploma
lists. almost inevitably involve the Uni
ted States. That is what Great Britain
is trying to avoid. Great Britain's for-
eign policy for a hundred years has
been to retain the friendship of the UNI
ted States.
But Japan has fundamental prtn-
ciple Of her foreign policy which the
United States, no less than Germany,
Is thwarting That fundamental prln-
ciple is that Japan's stability or power
and expansion depend primarily upon
with the consent of Great Britain, now
the mistress Of all the oceans. Great
Britain does not, in herself. menace the
realization OF this policy and Japan is'
therefore, willing to have an alliance
with Great Britain for the time being.
to use this alliance to further her own
interests to control the Pacific.
The story may be a different one
later, il Japan becomes alI-powerfIl on
the Pacific and becomes menace to
Great Britain's colonies. Australia ana
New Zealand. But for the time being
Great Britain is not graphing with this
and is chiefly concerned
with the more vital complication which
will arise II Japan draws into the prob
lem her own long-standing differences
with the United states.
Rivalry for Naval Bases.
The, Hawaiian Islands. probably the
most important strategic point In the
Pacific ocean belong to the United
States. By their situation 2,097 miles
from San Francisco and 1882 miles from
Y Yokohama, the Hawaiian Islands vir-
tually command the Pacific as naval
base The United States acquired them
prior to the Spanish war and has for
titled them strongly. They stand as
a defense against Japan and a reminder
to her that America can not in her own
interests allow Japan to realize her am
bition of controlling the ocean.
Southwark from the Hawaiian Islands
!, 736 miles and directly opposite to Aus
tralia lie the Samoan Islands. They are