Evening star., 1926-11-21

IF three airplanes manned by crew OF
ventureSome spirits, can cross the IA
ciic Ocean in direction, is there any
Il thing to prevent three or three thousand
others coming in the opposite direction?
Japan is asking herself that question. That
she is finding negative answer is indicated
by the feverish haste with which her Leaders
are building up the island empires air force'
especially since the American Army myers
crossed Japan on their way around the world.
While the American flyers headed into ad-
verse wind 'and nosed their way through
snow, hail and fog across the upper reaches
of the Pacific. airplanes going in the opposite
direction would be aided by favorable Wlnds
and could readily be carried on naval craft
and swift transports within striking dis
tance Of the Pacific Coast Of the United
States. Some such thoughts as these may
may not be the actuating motive behlnd
Japan's sudden acceleration in air-force de-
velopment. In any event. that acceieratlon
is of such moment and magnitude that Japa-
nese naval and military air units bid fair
soon to eclipse the efforts of any other power,
not even excepting France.
X X X *
A natural geological barrier huge island
chains, stretched across the face Of Asia,
augmented by what is rapidly approaching
ment in the world, insures the people OF
Japan that sense Of security which can only
come from adequate defense-in their case
of wellnigh absolute impregnabil1ty. The
rapid expansion of existing commercial air
transport lines and the insurance of their
continued successful operation through liberal
government SUBSIDY PROVIDES an ducQudIc Ac-
serve In the event Of national necessity. The
Japanese government seems to have caught
the wisdom of the idea that it is cheaper to
subsidize commercial lines, which produce
valuable peace time service and which. at
the same time, are readily convertible TO
war time needs, than to maintain against
any national emergency sufficiently large
military and naval air force by taxation alone
Japan and her people have arisen tr1um-
phant out of the ruins Of one of the greatest
catacysms in history. Concealing beneath
nal
organic life, they go onward without swerv-
ing to fulfill the ultimate destiny of the
empire. Hence, the plans for the new TOXIC
to arise from the ashes Of the old, provide
complete and carefully planned aerial de-
fense.
The "round- world flyers" landing in
the island empire, heightened the feeling of
aerial insecurity, until it resulted in a steady
demand from all classes peer to peasant,
that larger. stronger Japanese air service
be established. Great as was the loss to
civil property and commercial and industrial
organization by the earthquake, the Nip
ponese are finding the necessary money to,
first of all, carry out and complete their
determined program Of national defense.
Japans entire war ministry is diligently
working on plans and budgets. Ugaki, min
lister Of war. is planning a complete divisional
reorganization Of the army which will effect
a saving of approximately fifteen million dol
lars annually, without in any way reducing
the numerical strength. This saving Is to
De deVoteu Solely 10 IHe sieater oapoAeso
air service.
AS far as known, the army at present has
six air battalions distributed throughout the
empire This air strength, comprising scout
and bombing planes, observation balloons and
drigibles, is being rapidly augmented by pur-
chases abroad in Germany, France and Italy.
which, with home production in thoroughly
organized plants, brings the army battalion
strength up to 1000 aircraft, with a probable
strength of $500 as Of July l, 1926.
Minister of the Navy Takarabe, in a recent
address before the Diet. is quoted saying:
"The navy is aiming at the Improvement of
various new weapons. and especially the
service. The world situation demands that
japan should further expand her naval air
force beyond additions already approved" The
recommendations advocate doubling the air
force Of the navy. Recent dispatches from