STEADYING EFFECT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 127, 22 February 1941, Page 11

STEADYING EFFECT

British Far Eastern Reinforcements REACTION IN JAPAN (British Oillciai Wireless.) (Received February 21, 7-30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 20. The recent strengthening of British bomber forces in Malaya, followed by the arrival at Singapore of some thousands of Australian troops, all equipped and munitioned entirely by Australian factories, will, it i> believed here, have a steadying effect on the situation in the Far Fast.

“The Times” says: "\\e should now feel sale against any unpleasant surprises." The Foreign Office spokesman's statement in Tokio attributed tile misgivings in tiie Far East to tiie “warlike preparations of Britain and the United States to meet supposed contingencies in the Pacific.” Iu view of the events of tiie past few months this attitude causes .surprise in London, where it is recalled that Japan’s open declaration of her determination to make a drive southward followed close ou her action in allying herself with Britain’s enemies through tiie signature of (lie Tripartite Tact.

Tile special message now received from tiie Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka. is being most carefully considered at tiie Foreign Office, and a reply will in due course be dispatched.' It is assumed that tiie terms of this communication will also be sent to the United States, where the announcement of Britain's Singapore reinforcements has been welcomed. They are regarded as the counterpart of the precautionary measures taken in I lie United States’ possessions in the Western Pacific. Mediation Suggestion.

It is understood that in the Japanese message to Britain there are incidental references to Japan’s readiness to act as a mediator not only in greater East Asia but anywhere in the world. The possibility is raised in the Press that Germany may have insisted on this gesture and an offer of Japanese mediation in tlic war with Germany may be contemplated. The answer to any stteh offer Ims already been given by Mr. Churchill. With tiie approval of the entire British Empire lie made it clear that peace is out of the question until tiie enemy is completely overthrown.

“The Times” says little doubt is felt that Japan is being made the more or less willing tool of Nazi aggression, though she will naturally do her best to find some way of supporting the Axis against Great Britain which American opinion would consider to be outside the sphere of vital American interests. This is ti situation calling clearly for the closest, co-operation between the British Governments most directly concerned and their recognition of it has been clearly shown. The "Daily Telegraph,” commenting on tiie mediation gesture, .says it is only to be wished that Japan would show the way by restoring the peace she has been disturbing for the past five years.