LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

JAPAN'S HELP IN THE WAR

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

Sin,—May I be allowed to add a few remarks to the article entitled " What the Japanese Think of Singapore," published in your issue of May 2nd? In the first place I do not think that it is genuinely recognized how serious was Japan's naval contribution to the War. The following figures will, I hope, bring the point home. The number of Japanese ships engaged in the following Allied operations were :—

(1) 1914.—At the capture of Tsingtau-2 battleships, 7 cruisers, 3 coastal defence ships, I gunboat and 12 destroyers.

(2) 1914.—In pursuit of the Scharnhorst ' and Gneisenau

2 battleships, 4 battle cruisers, 7 cruisers and 2 destroyers.

1914.—Convoying Australian and Now Zealand Forces- 1 battle cruiser.

1914.—Chasing the Emden '-2 battle cruisers, 10 cruisers, 4 destroyers.

1915.-247 Japanese bluejackets were landed to assist in suppressing the mutiny of the Indian regiment at Singapore.

1917-1918.—Patrolling the Mediterranean in the height of the submarine crisis-2 cruisers and 12 destroyers, also 2 British destroyers and 2 British trawlers were manned by Japanese officers and men.

1917.—Protecting trade route to South Africa-2 cruisers.

1917-1918.-3 cruisers were sent to Australia and New Zealand to patrol those waters in co-operation with British men-of-war.

It should be added that Japan was not obliged by the strict letter of the Alliance to render all this assistance, and that

if she gave, it it was because the Japanese Government wished to interpret the Alliance in the most gemnons awl loyal

spirit ; to regard it as an honourable bond and not as a mere legal contract.

It cannot therefore be too much emphasized that without Singapore the Japanese would have considered themselves the natural protectors of our Eastern possessions ; by per- sisting in our policy we have shown to the whole world that for some unexplained reason we have decided to treat an old and faithful ally as a probable opponent.

It would be quite unjust to Japanese public opinion to

say- that it has followed the gyrations of our policy. Quite the contrary : judging from Japanese publications Japan

is shocked but still offers her friendship.—I am, Sir, &c.,

(6)

44 Cadogan Place. London, S.W. 1.

\V. II. Gnuy.