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Show Uncle Sam on Guard in the Orient 'THERE It every Indication that Uncle Sam plans to defend the lights of foreign nations In the orient and attempt to prevent Japan from taking advantage of British-French preoccupation pre-occupation in Europe at the Island empire did In the World war. A number of recent American moves, none of which alone Is very Important, when taken ' together are extremely significant. 1. Intensive American activity to strengthen Panama canal defenses, clear out Japanese fishing (spy?) boats and eliminate agents of ' all foreign governmentt In the canal zone. 2. While Britain and France withdrew tailors guarding the International Settlement at Amoy following outbreak of war in Europe, American sailors have remained to protect foreign interests there against threatened Japanese encroachment. 3. The seaplane tender Langley with 12 patrol planes was ordered to Manila "to help enforce neutrality In the Islands" but also It might be considered a hint to Japan not to try any rough stuff In the orient. 4. Fourteen more naval patrol bombers have just been flown to Hawaii to bolster U. S. military strength In thit strategic Pacific ocean ' fortress. In the last war Japan made hay in the orient while the dark clouds of war covered Europe. She occupied German concessions in China and captured the German Islands In the Pacific Then she tried to force the infamous "21 demands" de-mands" on China, and did win many concea-aiont concea-aiont from China despite American opposition. Japan, as a belligerent on the side of the allies, thus greatly strengthened her position in the Padflo at very little cost to herself. Already Japan has given notice that she Intends to follow the same tactics In this war as a neutral, using the war aa an excuse for . demanding that military and naval forces of the belligerents withdraw from China. America Is the only power strong enough and free enough to stop Japan from using the war at an opportunity to become undisputed : master of eastern Asia. Whether Uncle Sam will go all the way In blocking Japanese encroachment In the orient - nobody knows. A lot will depend on develop. menu In Europe, the possibility of a four-power four-power totalitarian combine to plunder the democracies. A lot more will depend on how far Japan will try to go. At any event, the situation in the orient is worth watching. It Is probable that there it graver danger of America'! involvement in war across the Pacific than in Europe. |