Evening star., 1934-02-04
WORLD WATCHING
BELL|COSE JAPAN
island BristIes With Arms
While Statesmen Press
MySteriOuS|y On.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

The policy Of the japanese govern
h1ent is being followed with the deep
kst interest in Washington and in
bther world capitals, especially in Lon
6on and in Rome.
Up to a point. it is q deep mystery.
It is we'll known that Japan now is
/ vast arsenal. Her navy yards and
her ammunition and gun factories are
Working overtime. The entire industry
Is mobiliZed for war purposes. Abroad,
she is purchasing materials for her
war manufacture. Most Of the spruce
wood from the West Coast is purchased
by the japanese government for the
tew airplanes which japanese factories
are manufacturing in large numbers.
Eitrates are purchased il the United
States and in Chile. All the available
iunked automobiles on the West Coast
are purchased and transformed into
steel ingots, which are placed on board
Japanese steamers and sent to Yoko-
hama and NangasSaki. Important
purchases of oil are made in the
Dutch West Indies while the oil fields
in the Sakalin Island are rapidly de-
teloped by the japanese government
Japan is spending more money than
any other country in the world on her
army and her navy.
Outspending All Nations.
With the exception of capital ships
and 8-inCh gun cruisers, the japanese
navy is superior to ttet of the United
States. the Cnly world power which
can challenge Japan in the Pacific.
Diplomats and statesmen all over
the world predict war between the
Japanese and the Russians in the
course of this year-as soon as eli
matte conditions would permit it
Yet japanese statesmen and a num-
ber of intelligent observers who have
recently arrived from the Far East
claim that Japan's intentions are
for the time being at leaSt-nOt bclll-
cose and that Japan is merely pre-
pairing herself to consolidate her po-
SitiOn as a world power and be able
to challenge any other power in the
world market
Japan is under no illusions as to
the ultimate results of her present
policy. She has already established
herself as one of the great potential
world market and she continues to
push out. japanese traders, assisted
by the government are seriously COM
peting with the British in India. with
the Italians in Abyssinia and with
the United States in South America.
If she seeks undue trade advantages
from her reckless competition this
will constitute she thinks, sure
challenge to hostility.
Moves Carefully Figured
Japan, observers say. is not indulg-
Ing in an uncalculated adventure,
with complete indifference to the
world at large.
On the contrary, japanese states
manship is deliberate and calculated; !;
it takes into consideration risks and
is counting costs. Japan is firm
believer in the slogan that might is
right. Events since September. 1881,
when she began the occupation of
Manchuria. have amply verified this
slogan. She defied the United States
and the League Of Nations and moth
ing has happened: she fortified the
inundated islands. Transforming them
into important naval bases, and when
other powers protested, mildly threat
ening her to cancel her naaHdate. she
replied. Come and take them" "
Whereupon everybody remained 81
lent.
It is because she wants to continue
her political and economic develop
ment unchallenged that she cOncen-
trates all her efforts in building up
an army and navy which will place
her outside the reach of any power.
or combination of powers.
OF course. it is admitted that this
tremendous preparedness might hasten
a conflict The military clique which
is all-powerful in Toxic. has not as
wide views as the civilians have. and
1t is possible that in their desire to
see Japanese predOminance on the
Asiatic mainland firmly established
they might pecipitate conflict
either with the U. S. S. R or with
either Of the two nations which have
important interests in the Pacific
Great Britain and the United States
Certain as to Russia.
According to reliable information
the Toxic government is not happy
at the idea Of a war with Russia.
The military and the navy circles are
certain, however, that they can dis
pose of Russia in no time.
Under these circumstances there is
q danger that the Mukden incident
when the japanese commander on the
spot acting under the orders of the
war minister precipitated the Man.
ehurian conflict, might repeat this
successful move. 1t is in the cards
that if the military and navy circles
decide to fight Russia. the commander
of some Japanese unit. under the
pretext that he is pursuing some
bandits, might cross the border into
Siberia and thus bring about an ir-