The Washington times., 1917-04-27
URGES JAPAN TO BUY
DUTCH EAST INDIES
Author Says Neutrality Of Java,
Borneo, and Sumatra Is
Unstable.

Since the United States has bought
the Virgin Islands, a propaganda has
developed in Japan for the acquire
ment OF Java. sSumatra, and the small
er islands OF the Dutch East Indian
group.
In the current number of the Japan
Magazine Y. Takekoshi, author, our.
nalIst, and former member OF Parlia-
ment, earnestly advocates the acquire
ment by pnrchase of these colonial
possessions Of Holland. who has
proved herself unable to maintain
their neutrality In time OF war. He
bases his exhaustive argument strict,
ly on the needs OF Japan's food and
| rubber supplies. as well as absolute
necessity for territorial extension. He
sees no armssmental danger from the
central powers, but insists that Japan
has most TO fear shortness OF food and
other supplies fmperatively required
for the maintenance OF her CONNER
fcial supremacy tn the far East
Needs Much Rice.
She producessonly about 250, ,000. 900
bushels OF riceia year and has TO feed
"a population exceeding 10000. 600 Rice
has 10 be Imported from ManchurIa.
FormoA, Korea. and AMMAN. with
the expansion OF mechanical indus
tries that will follow the conclusion
Of peace, area OF rice production will
decrease rather than Increase. New
sources of supply must be had
Mr.. Takekoshi says: This r. an
age OF iron and rubber. Japan gets
her iron ores from China, but rubber
must come from the islands Of the
South Pacific. Japan must expand
sout Inward. into subtropical regions.
but this desired end must be accom-
plistsed without trespassing on the
rights and interest OF other nations.
SO long as Japan only desires to act
with the strictest honor and frank
! ness toward other powers. they. one
and all. should recognise her needs
and not unJustly forbid her to supply
them. Undertaking our peaceful
reasons for exploitation in the South,
the world cannot suspect US OF un-
worthy ambitions.
Pay with War Proats.
"Java.and sumAtra have been under
the rule. OF Holland for more than 900
years, but the Dutch government has
always had difficulty in maintaining
its supremacy over the islands. t II
the Dutch will consent to sell them.
Japan should acquire than. Fronts
of the present war should be used for
their purchase. These Dutch islands
on more than ono occasion, have been
menace to Japan. For example,
during our war with Russia, Il was
next to impossible for Holland to
maintain their neutrality. The same
has been true during the present Eu-
ropean embodiment Immediately
after this gigantic war ends, Ger
many may be expected to promote her
activities In tho direction OF the Dutch
isdands. since she has lost her base
of operations In China Thus Java
and Sumatra may easily become q
base OF operations against Japan
Thedr present status Is, so uncertain
and weak as to be q menace 20 peace
JapGns desire 20 command the Is
lands is. therefore. no sign OF un-
worthy ambition, but Is an Inspiration
in the direction OF the worlds peace.
"Oncs Japan Is In command of the
Sunda straits. she can slacken her
plans for naval expansion. main.
tain that Japan should not spend her
profits in the present war on arma-
,fnent but on colonial expansion. Such
"a course II in the line of peace and
prosperity for all concerned. We can
defend the Islands from German con-
tauest and Holland cannot, Southward
1.-THE course OF our colonial deyeJop-
,ment should take its way"