The Question of the Pacific: A Letter from the American Fleet

Extract

In the harbour of Honolulu, aboard the

American Battleship ‘Pennsylvania,’ en route to Australia.

June 30.

History has a slovenly way of beginning a new question before she has cleared up half-a-dozen old ones. Here we are with the Russian problem as great a problem as ever, and with no definite settlement of the Franco-German difficulties arrived at, yet, lo and behold, there is an inexplicable turmoil in China, and the cruise of the American Fleet to Australia and New Zealand reminds us that there is a Pacific question.

‘Yes,’ says the Labourite, ‘there is a Pacific question solely because Washington will not let sleeping dogs lie, but must needs arouse them by letting off her big guns all around the Hawaiian Islands. America has created the Pacific question about which you speak.’