Otto Corbach

“ In spite of old and new rivalries, England and the United States have worked out a common strategy since the Great War to 'save civilization,' which means to defend Anglo-Saxon rule throughout the world. The prime consideration has been to assure England of enough rear support in Europe to permit it to bring its full strength to bear on India and the Pacific Ocean. Then, the naval superiority that the Anglo-Saxon Powers enjoyed by reason of their dreadnaughts had to be maintained by preventing an armament race in submarines and bombing planes. ”

“ Japan especially crept into the confidence of the Siamese by enabling them, through supplying goods cheaply, to enjoy the advantages of all sorts of things which their limited purchasing power had formerly put beyond their reach. ”

“ Japan's dependence on imports from far-away districts overseas has decreased because imports of raw materials from nearby Asia have increased. Since the Japanese navy controls the communication lines with Asia, the United States has become deeply involved. Consider, for instance, the dependence of the American automobile industry on the rubber plantations of the Dutch East Indies. Time is obviously working on the side of Japan's defensive naval power and against the offensive naval power of the United States. ”

“ But, while naval preparations were making the Japanese island kingdom immune from American attack, military aviation was going forward at a rapid rate and exposing the nerve centres of the foremost yellow nation in the world to attack from the Asiatic continent. Almost a third of the population of the largest Japanese island is concentrated in the four thickly settled cities of Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo, and Yokohama. A successful attack by a powerful bombing squadron would incapacitate all of Japan. ”

“ Last year this resulted in exports from Japan to Siam amounting to about 40 million yen, while Japan only imported to the value of 800,000 yen from Siam. But on the other hand Japan is now beginning to turn Siam into a cotton-producing country of first rank, from which the Japanese textile industry will buy an unlimited quantity of cotton. American experts have stated that cotton-growing conditions in Siam are as favourable as in Texas. As Siam is very sparsely populated, at least one third of the arable land is available for cotton-growing. ”

“ In penetrating Central Asia by way of Manchuria, Japan is not always seeking for new sources of raw material but is also trying to thrust back as far as possible the points of departure for possible airplane attacks on the Pacific islands. The Americans are now planning to help build a huge airplane-motor factory in Russia in order to enable the Soviet air forces to protect their Far Eastern possessions. The rebellion in Fukien was fomented by pro-American Chinese militarists and politicians. ”

“ About 500,000 Chinese poured in and grabbed off almost all trade for themselves. No wonder, therefore, that the native population of about 13 million became almost totally dependent upon foreign economic interests. ”

“ The post of a special air attache for China has been created, and the extensive preparations for the air defence of Australia indicate that England's sudden enthusiasm for an air force second to none reflects the recent changes in the Far Eastern balance of power. ”

“ Submarines and airplanes have begun to end its rule. Even a small Power can attack a blockading fleet with enough submarines and airplanes to make the maintenance of the blockade completely impossible.” 'Disarmament' conferences retarded this development, and the fighting power of the old expensive battleships was protected from revolutionary novelties. Undeveloped countries were prevented from arming themselves with cheap modern weapons. ”