Otto Corbach

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”