JAPANESE TEMPER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 81, 5 April 1940, Page 6

JAPANESE TEMPER.

WAVE AGAINST U.S.A. TERRIFYING POSITION. AMERICA'S STRANGLEHOLD. (By FRANK H. HEDGES.) TOKYO, March 2. Something like a wave of antiAiuericanisni in arising in Japen, but it is rni|>oHsil)lc now to gauge how widespread or how deep it may become. Aβ yet it is little more than froth, albeit epcctaculnr froth, coming from elements basically opposed to all of the -workl democracies and believing in tine FascistNani form of government, remodelled to fit Japanese needs and temperament. Aβ such it might bo dismissed as irritating and unpleasant, hut of comparative unimportance. The danger ie that it is apt to spread to other strata of thought and society. Japan for a time believed that the United States was merely blufliug last summer when it announced its treaty of commerce ami navigation with Tokyo would expire in six months. No actual material ohanjro in American-Japanese trade has resulted since January 26, but the Washington Government has the power to strangle, at a moment'* notice and purely on its own volition, this trade which, is absolutely vital to Japan's economic veil-being and ability to wage warfare on a large scale. Reverse the position of the two countries mentally, and it can be understood why the present situation ie little short of terrifying to Japan's business world and to all of the Japanese public who grasp its significance. Ooupled with this is the presence in the Pacific of tthe American Fleet, and, in addition, the naval expansion programme the United States in undertaking. From the military standpoint there are but two military weapons which Japan has any need to fear: The American Navy and the Soviet Russian Army. Hatred Of Britain. So far. the anti-American sentiment has manifested itself in two ways. Debates in the Diet have touched on it, at times in rather strong ternie, and the professionally nationalistic, prototalitarian Press makes much of it. It has not run wild with the general public as have anti-British and anti-Russian movements. This may 'be attributed to the really deep and sincere admiration that the Japanese people have entertained for Americans during the last eighty odd yeans, and to their belief that in 'befriending free China, Americans net not from purely selfish motives (as they charge the British do), but from a sentimental inclination to help the under-dog.

In times past, as when the immigration law, with its clause excluding Japanese immigrants, was passed in 1924, the feeling in Japan against the United States has been very intense, but never has it been flavoured with the bitterness and searing resentment which find vent against Great Britain. Washington has taken the stand that no concessions are to be made to Japan until after concrete action has been shown to bring Tokyo's policy in China more in line with the principles of the open door and equal opportunity and with the nine-Power Pact guaranteeing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. Japan complains that when Americans "understand" its objectives in China, disagreement and criticism will disappear. Tokyo Sidestep*. American-Japanese relations to-day pivot on Japanese policy in China. America bases its position on the ninePower Pact. Japan, while refusing to denounce this pact outright, has acted contrary to some of its most important provisions, and the Foreign Minister has said in a Note to Washington that any attempt to apply to the conditions of to-day and to-morrow inapplicable idea* and principles of the past neither would contribute toward the establishment of a real peace in East Asia nor solve the immediate issues." In a Xote which Tokyo still has not answered! although it was delivered fourteen months ago, Washington said it was ready to consider any proposals put forward by the Powers concerned, based on justice and reason" if consistent with the rights and obligations of all parties directly concerned. v T he "U t,K L mettor ■«•»*•• .Jepanfc Note, although not denouncing the ninePower Pact or asking for a conference to revue, abolish or substitute it •mounts to an unofficial announcement aH • . '*- * ot €ntire, y operative. Americas Note, again not calling the pact by name, amounts to an expressed willingness to attend such a conference based on justice and reason, hut without in any way pledging the Washington Government in advance. That such a conference conM be called now and achieve success is plainlv impossible. Japan believes, and 'quite rightly, it would find itself arraigned against all the other eignatorv Power, save Italy, and there are other important deterrents Japan's Foreign Minister hi.* toM the current Diet as much, and the Navy Minister has assured the same body that the Japanese Navy would take whatever steps were thought necessary in view of the American naval building programme. Foreign Minister Hachiro Arita likewise stated Japan was fully prepared to cope with any situation in caee "the United State* increases pressure against this country," whatever that may mean. Perhaps the most provocative factor, especially to a people as proud a* are the Japanese, is that there is nothing they can do to improve relatione with America—nothing except to alter their policy in China. Thie they ere not prepared to do. although that point roav be reached in time. To one who has lived in Japan and known the Japanese for many years, it is astounding that anti-Aniprican sentiment ie as weak as it ie The only explanation is that it is the Lnited States, rather titan Great Britain or some other countrv, which is