Evening star., 1939-02-12
Fortifying Of Guam Held Vital
In View of Japan's Ambitions
Vast Imperialism Seen Her Aim and United States
Protection Is Believed Necessary
To Preserve Peace
Bv Frank p. Ball.

as they believe-manifest destiny to
spread new (Japanese) civilization over
the regions Of Asia have lately sprung up
Had l the space I could recount many
enlightening talks I have had during
1094-l903 with high japanese officials
and prominent merchants who were
building a modern empire to enable them
to put their dreams in action.
Let us stop for moment and study
their military accomplishments and how
they were attained.
In 1894 Japan made war on
China over Korea. The King of
Korea had a rebellion on his hands,
and appealed to China for assistance
China responded to the Korean Kings
appeal for aid and notified Japan of her
action. Japan revived some old claims to
rights in Korea and sent an expedition
ary force into the peninsula. Numerous
charges and counter-charges were made
by both China and Japan, and after
lot of Wrangling Japan declared war on
China August /, 1894, shortly before I
arrived in Japan.
The Sino-Japanese War.
The Sino-Japanese War of 1894 re-
suited in an easy victory for Japan. She
captured Port Arthur, in the Liaotung
Peninsula, and Weihai-Wei, and made
short work of the Chinese Navy. The
war was over in December. 1894. and Lii
hung Chang was commissioned by China
to negotiate for peace.
The treaty of peace was signed
at Shimonoseki on April II. 1885,
BY its terms China recognized the full
independence of Korea, ceded to Japan
the peninsula of Liaotung. the Island of
Formosa and the Pescadores, and agreed
to pay an indemnity of 200,000000 taels
(about $3.50 900 900 at that time).
This treaty was a staggering blow to
China as it gave to Japan foothold IN
Manchuria, her objective in starting the
war.
Russia. Germany and France later
intervened and forced Japan to return
Liaotung Peninsula and accept in COR
pensation a further indemnity Of 80
900 900 taels.
The Russian lease Of Port Arthur,
which Japan captured in 1894. ranked
for years in japanese memories, and
a critical situation arose between Japan
and Russia in 1903 that resulted In a
declaration of war in March, 1904. Japan
achieved an overwhelming victory on
both land and sea.
On August %, 1910, Korea was
annexed as Chosen, and the old
name abolished. The Emperor was de-
posed and shorn of all political power.
Chosen, since it's annexation has been
ruled by Japan with an iron hand, and
foreign trade, except through the jap
anese, has become a myth
This short synopsis of Japans military
activities is given here to induce the reader
to study for himself Japans part in Far
Eastern affairs during that period, so
that he is well informed on the subject,
and can intelligently draw his own con-
clusions as to our future policy in Asia.
and the attitude we should assume
toward Japan.
I believe Japan is rapidly drawing
away from the sympathetic touch that
once existed between our two countries.
and hopes that by an alliance with the
two aggressive powers of Europe to
rapidly. or more rapidly, achieve her
own ambitions in Asia. She may be
making a fatal mistake, and I doubt
very much that we in this country can
do anything to deter the present ruling
class in Japan from the policies that
are as strong as religion with them.
1t is not unreasonable to suppose that
in the near future, no matter how will
ing we are to compromise and barter
with them an impasse will arise. We will
not fight over it, but Japan might, and
If our defenses are not the best modern
science can produce she might possibly
if she could rely on European backing.
From what can learn Guam is vital
link in the proposed defensive chain
of bases, and with that island properly
fortified no Asiatic power will ever dare
launch an attack against Hawaii, or
our western mainland, or the Panama
Canal. And If an attack is made on us
by Japan naval air and submarine
base at Guam might start counter at
tack against that country that would
prove mighty effective.