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Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 307, 23 September 1944, Page 6

In raising publicly the question as to the extent of Russia’s co-opera-tion in the final assault on Japan after the defeat of Germany, the “New York Times” lias expressed what must be in the minds of a great many people. As that, journal points out, all the present indications arc that. Japan will resist fanatically to the last, and this will mean that the task of crushing her on the Asiatic mainland, and in Japan proper, will be a formidable one. Obviously it is a task that would be made easier if Russia joined in the Far Eastern war, or—as the article proceeds—“at least provide bases after the collapse of Germany”; but so far the Soviet Government has avoided any action which, by directly conflicting with Japanese interests, might be the cause of Russia’s committal to a struggle on two fronts. In April, .1941, Russia and Japan signed a five-year neutrality pact, under which both nations agreed to maintain friendly relations, respect each other's territory and remain neutral toward each other in the event of either becoming engaged in conflict with one or more States. The letter of this has been observed, though in 1942 the Moscow newspaper “Pravda” published a warning to Japan that the pact had been put to “severe tests , that if it had held, this was due to strict observance by the U.S.S.R.; and that if it was to be maintained-.it was essential “that Japan should act similarly.” Tn file last year or two Russo-Japanese relations have, if anything, deteriorated, not the least of the causes being the unofficial svmpatliy sfiown by Russians toward the people of occupied China. Bu the pact still holds, and although no doubt the matter has been referre to in talks between the western Allies. “Pravda’s” veiled hint of more than two years ago has been the only inkling given as to Stalins way of thinking.