Abstract

The Coming War in the East

This article presents the author's views on books written on Japan's adventures in wars. The books deal with Japan's approaching struggle for mastery of the East can scarcely be set down as a mere coincidence. It is interesting to note, however, that the authors are unable to agree on Japan's probable opponent in this conflict. Japanese commanders has reasons that are at least plausible for choosing England rather than America or the Soviet Union for this role. War between the two great island empires is inevitable, he maintains, unless England, rich in colonies, forgoes all at tempts to maintain the status quo or Japan abandons its policy of expansion. The latter they dismisses as unthinkable and holds the former to be desirable but unlikely. In contrast to the strong bonds of trade between the United States and Japan, he points out that there is deep-seated economic rivalry between England and Japan.