JAPAN SEEKS ALLIANCE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22085, 6 May 1937, Page 11

JAPAN SEEKS ALLIANCE

REPORTED GESTURE TO BRITAIN

AMBASSADOR TO MAKE PROPOSALS

REVIVAL OF OLD FRIENDSHIP DESIRED

(UNITED MIKSS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIOUT.) (Received May 6, 1 a.m.) LONDON, May 5. The political correspondent of the Australian Associated Press learns that Japan will shortly submit to Britain concrete proposals for an Anglo-Japanese co-operation. The proposals will be put forward by Mr Shigeru Yoshida, Japanese Ambassador in London. This represents the first official gesture towards an Anglo-Japanese rapprochement since the relations between Britain and Japan became steadily worse after the Great War. The attitude of British official quarters is cautious on the matter. It has long been realised that Japan is anxious to have a better understanding with Britain and the Dominions, and would like the An-glo-Japanese alliance revived, but as the United States would never approve of it, Britain is unlikely to respond. Nevertheless, there is a readiness here to go a considerable distance to improve relations, provided Japan is sincere and the United States does not object. There seems little doubt that Tokyo is timing the new gesture to coincide with the Imperial Conference,' especially in view of Australia's desire to be on the friendliest terms with Japan.