Evening star., 1934-05-27
THREAT OF AIR ATTACK
REAL MENACE TO JAPAN
Aviation Neutral Zone Between Her
and Russia Suggested to Reduce
Grave Tension.

snail, Caroline and Ladrone, SINH
larly threaten the advance of hostile
fleet from the Hawaiian Islands.
While Japan was making herself
secure from possible aggression by
the great sea powers, she seemed to
have overlooked the potential semi
naval threat Of China and Russia.
True, these nations are lacking in
sea power, yet the Russian port Of
Vladivostok is scarcely 600 miles from
the center of Japan's industrial ac-
tivities and the mouth of the Yangtze
River Is at about the same distance.
Having accomplished her aim of
materially reducing the Oriental wa
ters the effective sea power of Great
Britain and the United States by en-
forced abandonment Of naval bases at
Hongkong and Manila, it seems evi-
dent that the japanese national
leaders are becoming increasingly
concerned over the potential. menace
of Russia and China. The sword Of
Damacles seems now to them more
real than they had imagined Is it
not logical to suppose that the pro-
nouncement on April II, 1884, that
Japan looks with disfavor upon the
training Of Chinese aviators by for
eigners and the supplying Of air.
planes to the Marking government by
foreigners, is Japan's way of in
forming the nations that an air
minded China is not to the interest Of
the Japanese Empire?
Possessions Along Asiatic Coast.
II we glance at a map Of the ORR
ent, we shall see the islands Of the
japanese Empire, stretching along
the coast Of Asia, enveloping the East
ern Siberian and much of the Chinese
coast line, at distances ranging from
$50 to 600 miles, well within the
effective range of bombing airplanes.
The separation of Japan from the
mainland of Asia was at one time
considered safe enough distance for
a nation like Japan with sea power
sufficient to hold command of all the
seas in the Orient.
Is it not likely that Japan now has
awakened from her pleasant dream of
security and is shocked at the realiza-
ton of her vulnerability from China
oA2A G<ocOCAA4 oAbCA AAC GAL CARAOAl9
Of the leading nations OF the world In
the last few years are none too reas-
suring to her and doubtless make the
Japanese leaders none too happy when
they realize that scarcely 900 miles
flour to five hours fight Of a modern
bombing plane) separate their indus
trial centers and their great naval
bases from Russian air forces said to
be concentrated in the vicinity of
Vladivostok. The creation of a
formidable Chinese air force with
foreign-trained aviators and foreign
made airplanes naturally must add its
weight to Japans uneasiness.
Occupation Reduces Menace.
Full security Of the japanese Islands
from air raids from the mainland of
Asia can be achieved only through the
military occupation by Japan of all
territory that holds menace. That
would mean not only Manchukuo,
already under japanese control, but
all of Russian Siberia to Lake Baikel
and nearly all of the eastern provinces
of China.
The menace of the sea power of
Great Britain and the United States
now pales to insignificance before this
practically new threat.
An air attack from either of the two
sea powers must be accomplished by
the use Of airplane carriers. This Is
serious enough, but warships are
vulnerable and the Japanese Navy can
be alert to defeat such a venture. On
the other hand, there Is no effective
reply to the Russian air threat. except
the destruction Of the potentially hos
tile air power while yet on the ground.
The proximity of large number of
Russian war airplanes ready to attack
Japan, therefore. must be accom-
panied by eternal vigilance on the
part Of the japanese. This ever
present and continuing menace must
in the end. through increasing nervous
tension, cause breakdown of morale
and hasten the action of the war
ferment now brewing. Russia and
Japan, II history can be considered
a guide, must both agree to maintain
q neutral zone between them, from
which zone war airplanes will be
excluded by both powers. This neutral
zone must be wide enough to remove
the present tension and give Japan
feeling Of certain security from
surprise air attack on her industrial
centers and her highly inflammable
cities. The situation at present seems
too taut and filled with dire possi-
bilities to be continued indefinitely.
Japan, having bought her present
security through large expenditures of
money and blood, will not be willing
to live with a Sword Of Damacles."
the Russian air forces near Vladi-
vostok, continually hanging over her
head, and it seems justified to believe
that when the situation becomes more
than that sensitive nation can bear,
she will strike to remove this menace,
fancied or real.
This air situation, not the menace
of the sea power of Great Britain, not
that Of the United States, is the pres
ent concern Of the military and naval
leaders of Japan. Diplomacy Of war
In the Orient must decide In the near
future the method of bringing about
stability in one Of the sorest spots on
the worlds surface.