THE INDIES: Cradle Into Backyard

On an island in the Pacific which is smaller than California in area, and no less mountainous, lives a population over half the size of the U. S. people. These unfortunates—the Japanese—are like a rush-hour crowd in a subway car, the doors of which have jammed. Fortnight ago Japanese papers loudly warned that the East Indies ought to be an emergency exit; and that Western Powers had better help open the door. Last week Japan's arms implemented the warning.

Jumping off from Hainan Island, which the Japanese have held by squatters' rights since February, a combined Army-Navy party braved...