El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-09-10


chose in chaotic siberIn and help
less China. / have no reason to
suppose that japan intends doing
anything of the sort But the fact
that the changes in naval war
fire make IT possible for her TO
do 50, where It was impossible be-
fore, II Of Importance to the west
ern world.
II Japan can cut off her seas from
attack by using mine fields and sub
marines it would seem that any other
country. even II II possessed no sur
face navy at all. ought to be able TO do
the same. But this is not true. as the
German war proved. The delicate ball
anclng of forces that a sea struggle
involves is shown in the way Ger
many's high seas fleet, though fight
ing but one accidental and unsuccess-
full general engagement. succeeded to
the very end in holding the Baltic and
the German North sea coast and max
ing safe the mornings and outgoings
Of hundreds Of submarines
That is how II was done. First,
German mine fields were laid, shut
ting off the Baltic. and the wet tri-
angle" OF which Helligoland was the
apex. from British incursions- Then,
through channels left in the mine
fields, the submarines sailed forth.
sweeps and pick up the mines, having
the strongest fleet2 Because II British
mine sweepers appeared in the wet
triangle" German destrOyers would
have sunk them II in turn British
light cruisers had gone along TO pro-
tect the mine sweepers. German heavy
cruisers would have sailed forth
against them British battle cruisers
backing up such an expedition would
have encountered the whole high seas
fleet, and so. a single British trawler.
10 work unmolested at picking up a
German mines field. required the sup
port Of the whole British fleet.
Germans Held Trumps.
But II the British fleet had backed
up an expedition 70 pick up all the
mines and pave the way for an attack
on the coast. the German high seas
battle in its own waters, filled with
traps and submarines. The British
did not feel justified in running such
risks. and the mine fields we're never
molested-
How closely this analogy applies
to Japan is evident Once block the
Yellow sea with mine fields. the
japanese fleet behind them. and an
attacking power must bring a force
greater than all Japan's armada TO
back up an attempt TO get through
the mines. But under such circum-
stnces. in her own waters and on a
spot Of her own choosing. Japan
would welcome a general engagenl ent
despite her inferior force. just as Ger
many would have been glad TO fight
out der tag" off the coast OF Heliso-
land.
In the past. discussiong OF possible
hostilities with japan called up
visions OF attacks on the Philippines
and Hawaii. and more lurid spirits
foresaw the overunning OF the Pacific
coast with the mikado's Earrisons
holding the passes OF the Rockies.
The new naval weapons.
coupled with the disappearance OF
RUSSIA rs n great power holding
Japanese ambitions on the couti-
nent in cheek. have made such
discussion wholly obsolete. Not
only would Japan not attack the
coast OF HaVvnif. II war came in
the near futures she probably
would leave even the Philippines
alone. excepting for n possible
preliminary raid. The commence
ment Of serious hOstflitfes would
find the Japanese fleet In the Nel-
low sen. the east coast OF the
japanese islands abandoned TO-
bOmhardment and guarded
nSninst invasion By troops.
1t would be the japanese theory
that they could not be seriously
harmed at home. their communica-
lions with the mainland could not be
cut off And concessions 10 Amer
lea being no longer necessary. such
a conflict would give Japan a free
hand" in much OF the richest and most
densely populated country in the
world, Inhabited by people incapable
Of resistance and unable to secure
help from the outside
Old Policies Go.
Turning from the far. east to Eu-
rope, II Is seen that there too the
war has completely upset the old bal
ances. Since the development OF the
ironclad. the most Britain has at