The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-08-04
AIM
AT u. S. IN
NEXT WAR
Imaginary Enemy Can Be
None Other Than nAmeri-
can, Observers Say,
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
Times Staff Correspondent

Times Staff Correspondent
XVI ASHINGTON, Aug. 4.-News
WI of a sensational. not to say
IL dangerous. shift in Japans
military preparations have reached
the capital.
Considerable changes have been
made in the scheme of national de-
Tense as a result of the Washington
Conference" says a prominent Tokyo
newspaper. which declares the shift
has been decided on lin case the En-
pire goes into war with a certain
Imaginary enemy"
This imaginary enemy" Captain
Miznno Hironori. the Admiral Sims
of the Japanese Navy, says is none
other than the United States.
1T is only out Of diplomatic eau
ton and courtesy the authorities say
Japan's national defense Is not d.
rected against any imaginary enemy"
he says
1.-The collapse of Russia" he goes
on to say in the Chuo Koren Central
Review translations Of which have
reached the writer, deprived the
Japanese army of its imaginary
enemy" just as the humiliation Of
the Russian navy previously had de-
prived the Japanese navy Of its
imaginary enemy.
Have Identical Enemy
So, one of the important changes
attendant upon the new national de-
Tense policy" Captain Mizuno de-
clares, SIS that the army and the navy
have now an identical ina ginary enc
my after having drifted apart subse-
ouent to the war with Russia.
What country is the imaginary
enemy can be easily inferred from
study Of Japan's geographical. eco
nornic and political position among
the nations
1T must be either Britain or Amer.
lea But Britain is not yet recov.
cred from the wounds sustained in
the war. The only country which has
her chance Of entering into war with
Japan, then. is the United States.
Early this year" Captain Mizuno
continues. Admiral Baron Kato, the
premier: General Uehara. chief OF the
general STAFF. and Admiral Yamashita,
chief OF the naval general staff, were
reported TO have proceeded to Numaza
on the same train in order to wait
on the Prince Regent there. evidently
concerning a very grave affair bear
ing on national defense
New Defense Policy
"a few days later certain big
T4l
THE New National Defense Policy
Finally Decided On" said:
I'm case the Empire goes to war
with a certain imaginary enemy-the
army then is to take certain action
under the stress Of necessity.
Complete connection is TO be es-
tablished across certain straits, re-
mote regions are to be placed under
strict guard. military action is to be
Undertaken in certain areas on the
continent (Asia) and the disposition of
troops changed.
THE capital ships of our Navy,
having been reduced to a ratio Of s
for Japan to 10 for the American
Navy as a result of the Washington
conference, efforts are to be directed
to the strengthening Of subsidiary yes
sells"
Briefly, according to Captain Mi
zdno-who more than once has got
himself into hot water because Of
his frank comment on Japan's mil.
itary establishments-Chi will be
invaded. the Philippines captured, If
possible. and line of defense thrown
from Formosa to Sakhalu so that
China and Siberia may be exploited
for food and raw materials.