Japanese Invasion Easy, Says Beehler

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 18, 1913:
Could Take Philippines, Land In California, and Exact Indemnity, Asserts Commodore.
HITS ENGLISH CANAL POLICY
And Lauds German Preparedness in Letter Sent to Congressmen with Account of Tripolitan War.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, July 17.— Striking comments on international relations and the importance of sea power are made by Commodore William H. Beehler, U. S. N., retired, in a letter which he has sent to members of Congress with a history he has just written on the naval aspects of the war between Italy and Turkey.
    Commodore Beehler, who is now a resident of Annapolis, was formerly attached to the office of Naval Intelligence, and served some time as Naval Attaché of the Embassies in Berlin, Rome, and Vienna. His account of the war between Italy and Turkey, compiled from foreign sources, was primarily intended for the information of officers of the navy, but has now been printed by him in a limited edition.
    In the letter he sent out with each copy he discusses the relations of Germany and England, and of the United States, England, and Japan with a frankness that is almost startling for a retired officer of the navy, and is likely to attract wide attention, both here and abroad. The letter is as follows.

    "Italy's surplus population and progressive development required her to take coveted Tripolitania as diplomatically conceded to Italy by European powers. There was no cause for war — but Italians were stronger by sea than the Turks, who, weakened by this war, were then expelled by the Balkan allies. During the war the Turks deposed their Young Turk Government because that political party had neglected to provide an adequate navy during peace before the war.
    "In contrast, last year England concentrated her fleet in the North Sea and threatened war with Germany, to suppress her commercial competition, but found her better prepared to invade England than was Italy to invade Tripoli. England refrained from war.
    "England owns the Suez Canal and has now kindly reduced Suez Canal tolls to compete with Panama. She dictates our canal policy and protects against our coastwise commerce exemption. Falsely so-called peace delegates at St. Louis urged that we lead in disarmament, but when we disarm she will compel us to favor British and American commerce through Panama because commerce is vital for England and only luxury for Germany. The English feel that they are entitled to a monopoly of commerce.

Japanese Invasion Easy, He Says.
    "The Japanese in 1913 are better prepared to invade our Pacific Coast than was Italy to invade Tripoli. Oceans no longer protect us from over-sea invasion, but facilitate it. Transportation of troops in modern ships is recreation for soldiers, who arrive at landing refreshed and well-armed, to be opposed by exhausted defenders, hastily summoned from distant points to operate under every disadvantage.
    "The Japanese can easily take the Philippines. They can transport 20,000 veterans to our Pacific shores as easily as we send troops to the Philippines. Our small navy now in the Pacific would be eluded or held in check, and our difficulty in getting 110,000 United States troops on the Mexican border last year shows that we are not prepared. The Arabians, though well armed and inspired by religious fanaticism to expel infidel invaders, could not resist Italian naval bombardments. The Japanese know these facts.
    "They protest against California alien land laws, but are silent about the more rigid exclusion from Australia, because the British navy is adequate. They may attempt invasion of California to conquer our race prejudices, for which they would exact a huge war indemnity that we would pay, and although, suffering that humiliation, we would finally expel the invaders, it would be at a cost a thousand times more than necessary to provide an adequate navy to make this impossible.
    "The history of the world in all ages shows that the weak are a prey to the strong man armed, as was Turkey, and as China has been. Treaties are not respected unless backed by adequate force. They are sacred only in theory and are annulled when desired by either party, as we abrogated our treaty with Russia without Russian consent.

Germany Ready, Hence Has Peace.
    "Germany deems it wiser to be prepared. She is the only nation that has had no war since 1871, because she was ready. The construction of armaments and war materials has not been ruinous for Germany, but has enriched her. Her compulsory military and naval services are schools that have educated the people to lead in modern industrial progress — blessings, indeed, so that Germans prosper at home and no longer emigrate.
    "We must heed the infallible teaching of our Saviour, who created all creatures with means of attack and defense. All life is constant war! We kill to eat; why should we pull out our teeth?
    "Men and nations of men cannot exist without police protection and armed forces. When unselfish love prevails universally and the peace of God rules the hearts of all people and creatures, we may abolish the police, armies, and navies, but not before."