‘Thank you, Commander. A Scotch if you have one, please.’
Aritsu went across to the drink’s cabinet and busied himself with the bottles.
There was something intriguingly different about this particular Englishman and he was anxious to learn more about him. It was never possible to know too much about a potential enemy.
‘You understand, Lieutenant, that there is no enmity between your Navy and my own,’ he observed blandly as he poured a large measure of Vat 69 into Hamilton’s glass. ‘The Japanese Navy does not enjoy this sort of thing. But, just as you have to obey your masters in Whitehall, we too must carry out the instructions of our leaders in Tokyo.’ He handed the glass to Rapier’s captain and then resumed his seat.
‘In the East, as you are probably aware, it is important to maintain “face”,’ he continued. ‘Japan must prove to the Chinese that she is the dominant power. We have no quarrel with Britain or America. But, if an unfortunate incident occurs, it is important that we demonstrate our equality with the Western powers by demanding, and receiving, an appropriate apology.’
‘Even when Japan is in the wrong, Commander?’ Hamilton asked sharply.
Aritsu shrugged. ‘Who is to say what is right or wrong, Lieutenant? I have no doubt that yesterday’s incident was an unfortunate error of judgment by our pilots. They were, perhaps, unlucky to have picked someone who was prepared to hit back.’
‘I may have been ordered to apologize, Commander,’ Hamilton said coldly. ‘But let there be no misunderstandings. If your aircraft or ships attack my boat again, I shall defend myself and my men in precisely the same manner.’
‘Of course you will,’ Aritsu smiled. ‘Of course. But as I have said, these incidents unhappily happen. The Japanese Army is anxious to go to war with the British Empire and the United States. Our Navy wishes friendship. We do our best to control these wild men in Tokyo but…’ he shrugged and left the sentence unfinished.
‘But why create incidents?’ Hamilton asked.
‘Because to survive as a first-class power we must control all the resources of South-East Asia. To do this we must demonstrate our superiority, so that people fear us more than they fear you.’ Aritsu leaned forward confidentially.
‘There are many colonial races, the Indians for example, who wish to be free from English domination. Such people look to Japan for their freedom. It is understandable. If the English and the Americans stopped interfering with our actions, there would be no need for these unfortunate incidents.’ The Commander sipped his drink thoughtfully.
‘Believe me, Lieutenant, there is absolutely no possibility of war between our two countries. We in the Navy are realists. We know that Japan cannot win such a conflict. We do not have the raw materials or the industrial capacity to wage war against the British Empire or the United States. Even Admiral Yamamoto agrees◦– and he is in the best position to understand these matters.’
‘So you are telling me that we should let the Japanese walk all over us?’
‘Only in the cause of peace, Lieutenant. We are sitting on a powder keg◦– it only needs the smallest spark to start the fuse. And once the fuse has been lit, nothing can save the British Empire.’
Hamilton contemplated Aritsu’s remarks as he finished his Scotch. Despite his antipathy to the Japanese, he sensed genuine sincerity behind the commander’s words. ‘But if you think Japan must ultimately lose a war with the Western Powers why bother to start one in the first place?’ Aritsu shook his head sorrowfully. ‘In Japan we have a proverb◦– a man who lights fire does not expect to burn his hands. The war party in Tokyo and the Army generals do not accept the possibility of defeat. It is only the Navy that understands the risks involved. But one fact is crystal clear, Lieutenant. If war comes, it does not matter whether Japan wins or loses◦– British influence and power in Asia will be finished for ever!’
Hamilton drained his glass and stood up. ‘I beg to disagree, Commander, but I appreciate your frankness. I am sure our two navies can live in peace. But I repeat,’ and the submariner’s eyes hardened as he stared into Aritsu’s impassive face, ‘if anyone picks a fight with my boat again, they’ll receive exactly the same treatment your bombers did yesterday◦– even if it means I have to crawl on bended knees and apologize to the Emperor himself.’
‘I am sure it will not come to that, Lieutenant,’ Aritsu smiled. He held out his hand. ‘Remember, if I can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. And let us hope there will be no further incidents.’
Hamilton grasped the Commander’s hand. He realized that Aritsu was only trying to give him a friendly warning and he appreciated the gesture. But he could not help wondering whether their next meeting would be so cordial. Replacing his cap, he saluted the Japanese officer, and hurried down the steps to the waiting staff car.
Despite Aritsu’s reassurances, Hamilton was now firmly convinced that a major conflict was about to erupt in the Far East. And if the attack took place before reinforcements arrived from home waters, Hamilton could not see how the Navy would be able to defend the isolated colony with the pitifully inadequate resources at its disposal◦– a couple of antiquated destroyers dating back to the 1914-18 war, a few short-range MTBs and a handful of shallow-draught gunboats which, although valuable for policing duties on China’s great river highways, were totally unsuited for the task that might soon face them.
Having mentally reviewed the full extent of the British naval presence in China, Hamilton realized with something of a shock that there was only one ship in Hong Kong capable of facing the Japanese Navy on equal terms. And that ship was Rapier!
So that was the reason the Admiralty had sent him to Hong Kong. All the talk about resting and enjoying a holiday at public expense had been so much eye-wash. If his premonition was correct, Rapier would soon be fighting for survival. And all the odds would be against her….
Mannon was surprised by the skipper’s sudden change of mood. He had gone ashore that morning in the blackest of tempers and the executive officer had fully expected him to return in a similar state of mind. But, as he stepped off the gangway, Hamilton looked completely relaxed and at ease. Had Mannon known him better, he would have realized that it meant that the lieutenant was at his most dangerous.
‘Number One◦– I want the bunkers and water tanks topped up and every single bit of gear checked. Muster all hands in the fore-ends at six bells. I want to put them in the picture. And from now on I want this boat maintained in a condition of readiness for war. Forget about polishing the brass work and cleaning the paintwork. And another thing. We’ve only been off operational service for a few weeks, but the men are already slowing down and losing their alertness. See to it that things are tightened up.’
Mannon recovered his breath and saluted obediently. As the submarine’s executive officer, it was his job to see that the skipper’s orders were carried out down to the smallest detail. And while it was not part of his duties to reason why, he had a natural curiosity.
‘What’s happened, sir?’
‘Nothing’s happened, Number One. Just put it down to instinct. I’ll explain what it’s about when I address the men.’
It was hardly a satisfactory explanation, but Mannon knew it would be useless to press Hamilton further in his present mood. He nodded and started to make his way towards the for’ard hatch, stopping suddenly as he remembered the message.