Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-03-22
JAPAN SEES MENACE
IN AMERICAN NAVY
Prominent Admiral Urges la
pan To Augment Naval
Forces For Safety

TOXIC. March 22.-The strengthen.
ing of the American navy has been
widely commented upon in Japan.
Opinion is general that II should spur
Japan to augment her naval forces
which are felt to have fallen lament
ably behind in recent years. Several
writers profess to see in the American
increase menace to Japan.
or the comment, perhaps the most
representative is an article by Vice
Admiral Tetsutaro Sato. who speaks
with his authority as director of the
Naval Stan College at Toxic. He was
formerly vice-chief of the naval board
of command. He calls his contribu-
tion: "The Future OF the American
Navy"
Admiral Sato declares that peace is
the motto that controls the doings of
the United States. Japan, he says,
seems to be misunderstood in various
parts OF the world as a warlike nation.
But nothing is more erroneous than
this misconception. He added:
The Japanese dislike to take arms
against other nations for a question
OF selfish rights and interests. Every
time Japan went to war il was because
her honor and dignity had been in.
jured by the other. In short, Japan
never resorted to arms until her pa.
tience was tried to the last, as his
tory shows. Hence. II Is the height
of folly to dream that Japan will
wage war on America or harbors a
hostile intention towards America"
Superficial foreigners might indulge
in such foolish dream, he remarked,
but no sOber.mlnded Japanese enter.
tained such absured views. He con-
fight America II forced to do So"
But Japan and the United States,
the writer continued, have the great
destiny and mission to act as the pro-
tectors and preservers of the peace OF
the Pacific in harmonious co-opora-
ton. Though commercially there may
arise difference and dissension be-
tween the two peoples, there cannot
and must not be any collision be-
tween them in other respects. But
If there is a wide disparity in national
strength and wealth between any two
nations and the spirit of mutual love
and reverence cannot be established
between them, the possibility Of
war between those two nations cannot
be absolutely denied.
What would be the result, the ad-
miral asked, when wide gulf is
created in the naval strength of the
two countries? He continued:
Fortunately, or unfortunately, the
United States, awakened by the Euro
pean war, has launched a gigantic ex.
pansion scheme of her army and navy,
more Importance being attached to the
expansion OF her navy. II seems clear
that the American naval expansion
program is not framed to compete
with any supposed enemy but is in.
tended simply as n defense scheme for
maintaining Americas position among
the world powers, especially In view
of the results fthe European war,
which has impressed the United
States with the unsoundness. unre.
llableness and uncertainty of inter
national relationship and tho FIRE.
quency of misunderstanding among
nations"
The officer expressed his admiration
for the enthusiasm Of the American
people in backing the naval expension
but asserted that, when completed, II
would bring about great disparity In
the naval strength of japan and Am
erica. This might sound as alarming
to the Japanese nation, but he be-
lieved II unjust and inadvisable for
Japan to suspect the United States of
any unfrlendly intention toward Japan
on account of this.
What fool" he exclaimed, would
conceive OF tho United States intend.
ing to attack japan or what fool
would think that Japan has a design
to invade the United States? How.
ever. Il Is most important TO both
countries that they should strive TO
maintain the peace between them.
selves and the peace Of the Pacific