New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-30
Japanese Urges
Merchant Fleet
For World Power
DR.. Imaoka Says Predomi-'
nance Depends on Great
Mercantile Navy
from The Tribune Bureau

Washington, June 20. BY construct
ing a great mercantile feet Japan VIII
occupy a predominant position among
the nations, besides meeting the
severe economic conditions that are
certain to arise after the war. says
DR.. Imaoka, managing director OF the
Yokohama Dock Company, in the
"Jitsugyo-N -Nihon." He declares that
at is an undisputed fact that in the
future the nations in position to
utilize the oceans most will occupy
the predominant positions
Or. Imaoka says, in part:
an order to meet successfully the
very severe economic war that is sure
to arise after the present conflict, 1t
7 is most important for Japan TO seek
room for her subjects on the limitless
expanse of the seas. In fact, firmly
/ believe that the great oceans. which
arc placed under nobody's rule, are
the best sphere for the activity of the
Japanese people.
Japan is already denscly populated,
and her population is increasing by
100000 or 100000 every year. 1t will,
/ therefore, not be long before the pop
ulation reaches SO.000,000, and then
/ 10000, 900. In spite Of this rapid in
crease in population, there are no good
places 70 which her surplus popula-
ton can migrate. Hawaii, America,
Canada and Australia. which were at
one time regarded as most adapted
for japanese emigrants, do not. as a
matter of fact, admit japanese any
longer
/ "In the present state of things
/ South America. China and part OF
tho South Sea Islands are the only
regions in the wide world which hold
out any prospect for japanese emil
grants, and even in these countries
there are obstacles.
; "On the other hand, loud cries are
heard al home of the difficulties OF
/ livelihood and Of the distressed condi-
tions in which the poor have TO strug-
gle for their daily bread. This is why
| advocate the establishment OF al
empire on the seas-in other words,
the encouragement OF shipbullding,
so that a large number Of the Japa-
nese may find their occupation on the
sea.
"A steamer Of 5000 tons requires
crew Of fifty to work it in other words.
these fifty men earn their living on the
sea. Az their families ashore neGes-
sarily rely upon them for support, the
wage -earners are. in effect emigrants.
Assuming one seaman supports fam
ily Of five persons. steamer OF o'ooo
tons supplies the means Of sustenance
10 $50 persons. A tonnage OF 5O,oou
will support $500 persons, and OF
100000. 100000 persons. Those who
are employed on the construction or
vessels. which are, in manner, emil
grafton places on the seas, must also
be taken into consideration.
ut may be roughly estimated that
the labor Of thirty men is required to
construct ton Of shipping. and there
fore il will be seen that in order 70
build a tonnage of 100000 the labor oil
Is 900 900 men would be needed.
"Supposing that two years are re-
ouired for the building of these ships,
some 10000 persons must be employed
on shipbuilding work every day for
that time. II to these figures are
added the number OF dependents upon
those engaged in shpbuilding work, u
will be seen that something like oO.OOo
people will be enabled to derive their
| livelihood from the shlpbuilding indus
try. These are no small figures.
"Jnpan is an island empire and yet
contiguous TO the continent. She Is IN
need Of big navy as much AS big
army As far AS the navy is concerned
/ it may be important for Japan to main
/ tain such a force as is sufficiently pow
/ erful to keep a hostile force off the
seas near the empire