FAR EAST CONFLICTS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 230, 24 June 1932, Page 2

FAR EAST CONFLICTS

Japan’s Varied Interests MANCHURIA SACRED SOIL “The Clash of interests in the East differs from conflicts elsewhere only in that we are presented with a clearer picture of the essential nature, of the conflict,” said Mr. J. E. Strachan, who was in the New Zealand delegation to the conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations Conference at Hangchow, in an address to members of the W.E.A. at Christchurch. The struggle in the East arose, Mr. Strachan pointed out, from the fact that the policies promulgated were the policies of profit-seekers, not of statesmen in co-operation in the general interests.

In the past, the speaker continued, huge financial concerns had dictated the domestic affairs ot Japan, but had not hitherto interfered in foreign affairs. This influence of financial circles was expressive of the very pronounced economic nationalism in the country. The two conservative political parties, the Minseito and the Seiyukai, were dependent on the great financial and business interests. Outside Parliament, however, there were various potent forces, the most important being the military faction. . ' -

Mr. Strachan suggested that the energetic activity of the Japanese army 'and navy of late was due to fear of dis. armament and the desire to maintain their position against the menace of the growth of Liberal ideas. This fear of demobilisation and dismissal would perhaps account for the vigorous military activity in Manchuria and the naval expedition to Shanghai. ' ’So also, -in Chinese' political affars -the great mass of the people were unrepresented by the nationalism .of Dr. Sun Yat Sen or by’ the bureaucracy of Chiang Kai Shelter by the sporadic expressions of conservatism or of Communism. The Government could not be called representative but outside there were organisations with a certain amount of power—there were student groups clamouring for retaliatory measures and numerous anti-Japanese organisations which were successful in carrying out programmes of boycotting. Japanese interests in Manchuria clashed with Chinese interests, particularly on questions of investment and trade. “It is astonishing lipw many people think Japan wants Manchuria for settlement of her surplus population," said Mr. Strachan. Japan claimed Manchuria on sentimental arid strategic grounds, as well as financial. Manchuria would be in the nature of a buffer State between Japan and probable enemies—Soviet Russia and China. It was regarded by the Japanese, moreover, as soil sacred .to them as the burial ground of their soldiers in tlie RussoJapanese War of 1905. Manchuria was in the nature of their Gallipoli. China maintained that her railway construction was self-defensive in view of the exorbitant tariff on the Japanese lines, she disputed the right of Japan to establish armed force in Manchuria, and claimed that Manchuria was rightfully Chinese territory, settled by Chinese. She claimed that lawlessness and banditry, as well as anti-Japanese boy cotts, were popular movements fostered bj’ Japanese aggressiveness.