PROPERTY OF IMPERIAL OUTPOSTS CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION THIS volume is the outcome of a journey to and from Japan, where circumstances took me for several months early in 1906. The outward journey was made by the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, Aden, Colombo, Penang, Singapore, Hong-Kong, and Shanghai to Yokohama; and the homeward journey across Canada. The primary purpose of the volume is to examine the conditions under which communication along the main highway round the Empire can be maintained with Japan in the event of a maritime war with one or more of the Great Powers of the world. The existing strategical situation in the Mediterranean as modified by recent events is made the first object of inquiry. Attention is next directed to the Suez Canal, and to the arrangements by which the Egyptian Government is required by the Convention of 1888 to keep open this international waterway in time of war, and prevent collision between belligerents. The political and geographical situation in the Red Sea as between Great Britain, France, Italy, and Turkey, then examined, some up-to-date notes having been obtained at Aden regarding Persian Gulf politics, with special reference to the proposed German railway through Mesopotamia to the head of the Gulf. After leaving Aden, Colombo was the next haltingplace, and during his stay there the writer was able to collect statistics regarding the commercial prospects of this important port of call, while the Admiralty reasons for abandoning the naval station of Trincomalee were inquired into and verified. From Colombo the sea route was followed to Penang and Singapore the gateway into the Pacific-and from there to Hong-Kong, the great emporium and British stronghold in the Far East. Another halt was made at Shanghai-the Liverpool of China-and a short excursion was taken up the Yangtze River towards. Hankow, which has lately been connected by rail with Peking, and promises in the near future to develop into a Far Eastern Chicago. After reaching Japan, some post bellum notes were collected from non-official published sources regarding the belligerent strength of our allies should joint military operations ever become necessary in fulfilment of treaty obligations. On the way home a halt was made at Port Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, from where opportunity was taken to visit the lately abandoned Imperial naval station at Esquimault. Crossing to the mainland, another halt was made at Vancouver, the western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which is perhaps the most important strategical thoroughfare of the Empire, as it is rapidly becoming the most commercially successful. During the stay in Canada the chief centres of commercial and agricultural industry - Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec-were visited, and note taken of the progress made by the Canadian authorities in taking over the local defences of the Dominion from the Imperial Government. It was found impossible to confine the proposed inquiry within the limits of purely naval and military consideration. The British people are traders first, and fighters afterwards. Naval power is only the means to an end, which is peaceful commercial expansion. We maintain our fleet at its present colossal strength not for the purpose of winning glory, but for the defence of our Imperial trade. It has been well remarked by a great student of British history-Captain Mahan-that a navy without merchant shipping is like a tree without roots: it soon withers away under the blast of war. When dealing with questions of strategy, it becomes, therefore, clearly necessary to deal with those of trade also, the interdependence of the two being continuously kept in view. To what extent is it true that trade follows the flag? How far is territorial acquisition necessary, desirable, and legitimate for purposes of commercial expansion? What are the natural laws which regulate such expansion? Has the gepanzerte Faust (mailed fist') policy of the German Emperor found a responsive echo in the hearts of His Majesty's subjects? What reciprocal relations ought to exist between the Mother Country and her Colonies for purposes of commerce and defence? These and kindred questions came up for consideration in the course of the tour round the Empire, and have necessarily offered themselves for discussion in the volume now produced. 6 The chapters will be found to be descriptive and fact-stating rather than argumentative. When opinions are given, for the purpose of discussion they are not my own, but those of the local expert authorities whom I may have been permitted to consult. Only published sources of information have been used. Facts are narrated just as they were found, irrespective of their bearing on imperial, colonial, or international politics; and if the simple, central truth is found to sting,' this will be due to the discovery of error, which public exposure may help to remove. How far I have succeeded in carrying out my purpose must be judged from the contents of the volume, which, through the favour of Mr. John Murray, and with the kind assistance of his brother, Mr. Hallam Murray, is now submitted for public criticism. Extensive as is the field covered, it is none the less hoped that sufficient data have been collected to enable those who are interested in the |