Australia's Destiny 275 



hesitate to threaten his white rivals with what 

 will happen as soon as Japan is able to take in 

 hand his grievances. Australians also remem- 

 ber how, not very long ago, they entertained a 

 Japanese fleet in their harbours. The visitors 

 were made much of, and fited at every port, 

 so that they were able to see whatever was to be 

 seen. No Australian who has ever given two 

 thoughts to the matter doubts now that the 

 Japanese information as to the sea gates and 

 fortifications of Australia is full and complete. 

 Possibly they credit their visitors with powers 

 of observation greater than they possessed, but 

 the history of the Manchurian campaign proves 

 that the Japanese Intelligence Department has 

 never yet neglected an opportunity so favourable 

 as that afforded by the easy Government of the 

 Commonwealth. 



No doubt the Australian takes an alarmist 

 view of the situation, but it must be remembered 

 that the " Yellow Peril," which is still only a 

 bugbear phrase to Western Europe, is a very near 

 and real thing to him. He is forced to look for- 

 ward to the day when Japan, as Great Britain's 

 ally, will request that the disabilities under which 

 the Japanese labour in the Southern continent 

 shall be removed, and he cherishes no illusions 

 as to the reply His Majesty's Government will 

 make. He does not believe that the decision 

 will be influenced in any way by Australian 

 sentiment or Australian opinion. Since the day 



