Evening star., 1925-03-21

TIE great cities of the Atlantic lit.
article, stand in some remote danger
of attack and wholesale destruction
by air. Such catastrophe Is i'm
possible just now; but If the worl6
era of competitive aerial armament
1T may be distinctly possible a decade
or two hence.
The Western littoral presents a diff
ferent problem. The mainland seems
safe. California, Oregon and Wash
ington are 5000 miles by sea from
the land bases of any hostile nation
whereas an enemy from the European
continent has only 1900 miles to ne
gctiate. AS compared to the Atlantic
coast, the Pacific has only "A few cities
and these not as yet nearly so vital
to our industrial and economical life
Destruction of the Atlantic cities
would be stroke at the heart; thai
of the Pacific cities, merely looping of
a limb. The enemy would have far
easier alternative. Thrust out into
the Pacific. lying clear across the
Pacific, are Alaska and Hawaii, terri
tories, and the Philippines, our only
considerable colony.
He who names any nation as an an
tagonist in the next war; is usu-
ally doing his little, harmful bit tc
bring on that war. But the jim
goes and scaremongers have already
wrought so much mischief of this
sort, that perhaps disciple of peace
can afford to be frank. The one ma
tion capable, for a generation at least
Ecrh ffVNy fro hn ic
Every schoolchild knows that.
Philippines Vital Link.
In relation to the Philippines, oi
course, Japan occupies a peculiarly
strong position. There they lie, across
the gateway between the Pacific and
the Indian oceans, most important
point for the mastery of the Eastern
Asiatio region. In case Japan cares
to colonize and shows talent fol-
colonization-here are still disputed
points-they afford rich booty. Anc
the extreme tip of the Philippines
lies only $50 miles from Formosa
part of Japan.
From that point to Manila, the cap
ital and chief bulwark of defense, is
only some 800 miles more. Since
bombing planes can now fly $50 miles
in a straight line, and fighting aux
ilIaries even further, the Japanese
planning invasion with an air force
would not have to consider sea trans
port for their planes, though an aux
Hilary fleet with supplies would still
be necessary.
To destroy fiimsily built Manila by
air attack, or to cause its evacuation
would be childs play compared TO the
reduction of an American city. There
remains the strong point of Cavite. oul
center of resistance. While none car
say categorically, except Army experts
who have looked over the ground, il /:
possible that Cayite might eventually
fall before aerial attack alone. II we in
tend to defend ourselves By force, the
Philippines will need a lot Of aircraft.
Hawaii as Strategic Point.
Hawaii is a strategic enigma II seem:
likely that an enemy from the East
would walt, before trying to occupy thi:
crossroads of the Pacific, for the issue
of naval battle. However. IL Hawaii /.
insufficienty protected by air an enemy
might conceivably sneak" loads of air
planes and airplane supplies on to one
of the small, outlying islands, and max,
that base of opera tions for reducinl
Honolulu and the Pearl Harbor de
fenSes. In connection with both Hawai-
and the Philippines. let me recall a prin
ciple l have laid down before In fight
ing naval vessels with air bombs vol
work best when you can draw your
enemy close to your own shore and base
your planes on land. And holdinf