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Show JAPAN INCREASING HOLD ON PACIFIC. The numerous recent predictions that there will be a war between Japan and the United States within the next few years have some justification in the activity of the Japanese in the Pacific. While the people of the United States are absorbed in home matters and feel as secure from danger as the ostrich with its head under its wing, Japan is moving heaven and earth to strengthen' herself at every point. Count Eatsura has included $40,000,000 in the budget for the coming year, for new naval increases; this expenditure is "essential for the maintenance of peace," he significantly comments. Japan, he adds, is friendly with all the powers, but she intends to see peace and justice prevail in the Pacific. While she is building up her navy by herculean efforts, Japan is also building up her merchant marine, which in time of war will serve as an auxiliary naval fleet. While'the United States has practically no ocean tonnage, Japan is rapidly becoming a power in the shipping world. She i3 doing this by the aid of her subsidy system. Under these subsidies three steamship lines are operated to the United States, one to Europe and one to South America. The subsidies to be paid to these lines this year amount to over $4,000,000, an increase of 15 per cent over last year. The result is that American shipping, which has no government aid and which is subject to severe restrictions of law, has no chance to grow in the Pacific. |