The sun., 1916-01-09

aKOR with tnc tTe |
Cabinets intention to introduce |
IN the Diet great naval programme. !
In the preceding sessions attempts had
repeatedly been made to appropriate
larger sums for the navy. Yet the
Diet, blind to the pressing needs Of
the empire. had repeatedly defeated
the bill.
This time the Cabinet was deter |
mined to win. The position OF the
empire had been growing more and
more delicate. Russia had been fast
recovering from the disastrous effects
Of her misadventure In Manchuria in
the days Of Viceroy Alexieff. The
United states had been diligently ap-
plying herself to the upbuilding Of a
tremendous naval power. We had been
given TO understand that America
would by force Of arms II need he
enforce the open door principle in re-
gard 10 her interests in China, though
she would virtually close her own
doors in the face Of all Asiatic nations.
The cry Of the japanese PERIL" raised
at first In "A small section Of the United
States Immediately found an echo in
al countries whose shores are washed
by the waves Of the Pacific.
To make the situation still more
lificult for Japan the figure of the
Kaiser had been ominously looming
upon the political horizon of China.
The erstwhile Celestial Empire. far
from receiving new lease of life by
the overthrow Of the corrupt Manchu
dynasty. remained the "Sick Man" Of
the Far East.
II was these circumstances which
persuaded the Cabinet to present to
the Diet "A naval programme calling
for an appropriation Of $115.OOO.OO to
h expended in the succeeding five
ears The bill was introduced ON the
very first day of the session. The
venerable Premier made an impas-
Noned appeal to the patriotism Of the
nation. lie was followed upon the ros-
,rum by the Minister of the "avy
The naval Minister described Japan's
delicate position In world politics and
reasoned most lucidly why the MI
kado's navy should be augmented, He
argued:
Before the Russo-Japane war our
navy occupied the fourth place in the
navies Of the world. To-day 1t has
fallen TO the sixth place. Time was
when Germany and the United States
we're behind us in naval strength. To-
day these two Powers boast OF navies
each twice as powerful as ours. II
We permit ourselves TO lag behind
them as We are doing to-day We shall
by 1920 have a navy of only one-third
the strength Of the American or Ger
man navy.
while Germany and the United
States are fully awake To the ad-
vantage offered by the newness of
their navies and are bending their
energies TO the construction OF the
most up to date warships what are
we doing? Have We not shown our
selves utterly incapable Of availing
ourselves OF the same advantage, and
are We not permitting our navy to
drift without any preconceived pro-
sramme?"
The Minister'S speech was as force
fll as II was Illuminating. He wished
understood that the adoption OF
Inc new naval programme could nc
longer be delayed II the empire were to
uphold It's dignity and prestige In the
council Of the Powers. He pointed
70 the wisdom OF the United States
IN considering great navy essentia
" the prevention Of war.
And yet the Diet was reluctant Il
accept the Cabinets naval measure
After much heated discussion the bill
Was announced defeated amid the wilt
applause of the opposition.