Abstract

Can We War on Japan?

The article discusses the probabilities of a U.S. attack on Japan. The U.S. Navy top brass declare that they can not wage war on Japan nor Japan upon us; that if our fleet reached Japan, it could only fire a few rounds at the coast and then return to its home base. They were positive that the American fleet could not maintain itself off Japan if it got there, and that the enemy, if he knew his business, would not give battle but stay safely in port until our ships had sailed away. The crux of the whole thing is the absence of a great naval base capable of provisioning, refueling, and repairing the fleet-Manila, Philippines is too far away, and so is Hong Kong, if that should be loaned to America. Several high officers of the army express the same view, saying privately that a conquest of Japan is impossible.