The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-11-26
Japanese Island
Of Hokkaido Overlooked

had the war not ended suddenly.
General Giles found that the enemy
had constructed super Rirhelds
from which they we're planning TO
send four-motor suicide bombers
against Seattle and other Pacific
cities. The planes had been com
pleted.
The Senate Military Affairs Com
mittee headed by Ebert ID. Tho
mas OF Utah. should demand that
we establish a military air base
and weather observatory on HoF-
kaido in conjunction with the B-29
Superfortress wing OF $50 planes
to be stationed In Japan perman-
emily Hokkaido. unfortunately for
US, has not been designated, al
though understand the U, S. Stra-
tegic Air Force will retain bases
in the Philippines. the Okinawas
and in the South Pacific inundated
Islands. The two sensational
flights from Hokkaido TO Chicago
and Washington are proof that
planes and balloons from Japan
can reach the United States with
great speed. Tie this situation
with the recent statement by DR..
Gerald Wendt. an eminent New
York scientist and author. who
says the atomic bomb will bring
about the destruction of the world
within the next 20 or 80 years
We face the bald fact that the
japanese occupy a superior posi-
ton on Hokkaido. Unless we
maintain q long-term military con-
troll. the enemy could launch an
atomic aerial war with a minimum
OF military personnel.
The island is rich in farm land.
forest and mines. Hokkaido could
absorb six million more farm work
ers. think we should encourage
the japanese TO develop the land,
which is very promising country
for oats, potatoes. wheat. barley
and rice. The United States should
control, under Navy supervision,
the seaports OF Otaru, Hakodate
and Wakkanai.
Around Hokkaido's four sea
coasts we should maintain perm
anent patrols. This preventive &C
ton would not interfere with peace
full fishery operation. Hokkaido's
great fishing grounds are among
the worlds finest for sardines and
tuna. At least n million persons
could be absorbed in the fishing
villages and by working in the can
neries OF Hokkaido. These fam
lilies NIGH we'll comprise those who
for several years have worked the
fishing fleets on the coasts OF
Korea .
Hokkaido, with more arabic land
and raw material resources than
any Japanese island, Is practically
selfsufiicient. even to the produc-
ton OF picked radishes, beer,
chemicals and steel. The island Is
a healthy spot, although the tenn
peratures are somewhat extreme
with hot summers and deep snow
wintera. The frosStree season
lasts about three months, but In
winter the farmers could work IN
the forests to cut timber needed In
building several millions japanese
homes, and for wood TO provide
pulp ~ textile and paper mills.
Many years ago Hokkaido re-
ceived the beneft Of farm develop
ment advice from f. W. Clark
president OF Massachusetts, Agri-
cultural College, who lived Tor
some time in the provincial capital
OF Sapporo. Over the arched en-.
trance to the Hokkaido Imperial
University there is a motto in
| English reading: Boys, Be Ambt'
tious." which was for years a col
lege slogan given TO the students
by Professor Clark before he re-
turned 70 New England after his
long service on the island.
The japanese in recent years.
particularly since 1887. took the
motto too seriously, so in the fu-
ture we must be aware that the
farm boys Of Hokksido may become
ambitious and try TO send aloft
an atom attack against the United
States from their northern most
island.
We must realistically anticipate