The Washington herald., 1921-12-05
OTHER NATIONS
MENACE TQJAPAN,
SAYS GEN. REILLY
Points to Streng t h of
British Naval Bases
In Pacific.
BY GEN. HENRY ]. REILLY.

In endeavoring to limit the de-
fcnses which Americans may estab-
lish at Manila. Guam, and other
American points in her Oriental
possessions, Japan's principal con-
tention is that American naval
bases in the Orient. constitute di-
rect menace to Japan and to Japan
only. This view will not stand the
test Of analysis. Several other pow
ers have interests in the Orient eN-
ceedipC those Of the United States
and even of Japan. Moreover, the
function of naval bases frequently
has no relation to the location of
combatant nations, because of the
great facility which the sea offers
to ships to go anywhere on its sur
face.
The cardinal function OF naval
bases is to add to naval strength
along lines of communication which
it will be necessary to keep open in
the event of war with almost any
other nation.
Challenged by Britain.
The degree of the Japanese in
terests in, the Orient Is challenge ed
by that of Great Britain: who has
an immense trade there and ter
ritories OF greater size and popu-
lation than tnose encompassed by
Japan's power. France has a great
empire in Cochin China, besides
many widely flung islands in the
Pacific. The Dutch East Indies are
very large. and very rich. Not long
ago Germany had extensive Pacific
nOSSaSSinnS She
them.
The rejuvenation of Russia and
other powers may render them I'm
portant factors in the Oriental the
ater within a comparatively few
years. Finally there is China her
self. weak now. but with tremen-
dous potentialities. The United
States will be morally obligated to
defend the Philippines, whether
they become independent or not, for
many generations to come.
Aside from this We will require
bases in the Orient so long as lasts
the need of our maintaining inter
course by sea with China, whether
Tor the purposes OF war or peace.
There is an analogy between our
route across the Pacific and Eng
lands route through the Mediter-
ranean. England does not maintain
Gibraltar and Malta as a threat to
powers. but as means of safeguard
ing her communications to India
and the Orient when jeopardized
from any quarter whatever. Those
bases were very useful for that
purpose during the war against
Germany. and would be valuable
in war against the United States
or any other sea power.
British Bases Near United states.
The situation in the western At
lantic is parallel to that in the
western Pacific. Inherently the
British protected bases at Bermuda
and Jamaica, and her potential DO
sitions elsewhere in the Caribbean
area, some of which are defended
and close to us, constitute a great
er threat to the United States than
do our weakly held positions in
the Far East, which are really far
from Japan. We have not objected
to the British defenses, nor sug-
gested that any restrictions against
fortification in the future be made
Great Britain has wide interests on
this side of the Atlantic and needs
| naval bases for their adequate de-
fense, no matter with whom she
may engage in war. They were
used by her in wars against France
and Germany and proved most USE
full in safeguarding England's COM
munications and interests then; as
they will in any future war.