Evening star., 1923-09-06
QUAKE MAY COST
JAPAN NAVY STATUS
Destruction of Warships
Would Upset 5-5-3-World
Position at Stake.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Probably in every state department
and foreign office in the world there
already is speculation as to how
Japan's position as a great power
has been affected by the tragic events
of the past few days. Though the
Japanese people were facing grave
economic problems, due to war condi-
tions, they were at the zenith of their
political strength among the nations
of the world. Many authorities be-
lieved Japan emerged from the Wash
ington conference the master of the
east. Can she remain such after the
raVages of earthquake, fire and flood?
Fleet May Have Suffered.
Authorities who are asking that
question in the Washington diploma
tic world say it's answer depends
upon the extent to which the
Japanese navy has suffered damage.
If Yokosuka, the chief naval port,
near Yokohama, has been wiped out,
and with 1t any considerable number
of first-class war craft, the mikado's
Meet has been dealt serious blow.
Japans influence as world power
strength.
She was able to drive satisfactory
bargain with America and Great Brit
am at the Washington conference be-
cause OF her force at sea. If Japan's
In the 5-5-3 national ratio has
been vitally diminished by the effects
or the earthquake or tidal wave. Jam
anese political prestige in the world,
1t is declared, will be commensurately
reduced. She may sink to the naval
level of France or Italy, or even be-
low them. The tax burdens the jap
aneSe people were carrying in recent
years were caused to considerable
extent by the international naval
competition. With the gigantic ex-
penditure now become necessary for
rebuilding devastated regions, 1t Is
impossible for Japan to bear the cost
of resuming costly naval program.
U. 8. May Save Millions.
A variety of contingencies is con-
jured up by such a prospect The
United States might find it unneces-
sary to spend all of the $4,000, 900
which the general Navy board re-
Gently recommended for new defenses
in the Pacific. Great Britain, in the
presence of Japan materially weak
ened at sea, might pause in it's pro-
gram to make Singapore the Gibral-
tar of the far east. Even the Dutch
East Indies. on which the Netherlands
government is about to spend enor-
nous sums for Notifications, in addi-
tion to new war craft, might no
longer be considered subject to a
Japanese danger"
Statesmen in the United States and
the British empire, in particular, are
promptly giving thought, too, to the ef
feet on Japanese emigration of the re-
cent catastrophe. There are two sets
of opinion as to the probabilities. In
some quarters 1t Is held that there is
bound to be an Unprecedented exodus
of Japanese. particularly of the labor
and less well-to-do elements, because of
the new tax burdens and generally
greater costliness of life In Japan that
soon will be inevitable.
Chance for Rebuilding.
A contrary theory is that Japan will
absorb her surplus population for re-
building purposes-that the Japanese
''overpopulation" issue, hitherto an in
ternational bogey, has been solved, and
that Japanese of the working class will
be sorely needed at home and will stay
at home.
Distress overtakes Japan at an ua.
fortunate moment. Her finances were
in weak condition throughout 1922 Sew
eral times grave crisis was threat
ened and was only averted by heroic
measures on the part of the Bank of
Japan. The cost of living is still alb
normally high. compared to pre-war