AUSTRALIA'S SPECIAL INTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 129, 3 June 1939, Page 8

AUSTRALIA'S SPECIAL INTEREST

Australia's special interest in Anglo-Russian policy, Avith regard to its bearing on Japan, is sufficiently indicated by the statement of the Commomvealth Minister of External Affairs (Sir Henry Gullett) appearing in today's cablegrams. But the extent of Australia's concern that an Anglo-.Russian alliance should not extend to Asia in a manner prejudicial to Japan—a concern which, Sir Henry Gullett emphasises, is shared by the British Government —may be better judged if the statement of the Minister of External Affairs is compared Avith one made in the House of Representatives, Canberra, on May 23 by his chief, the Prime Minister. On that occasion, answering a question, Mr. Menzies refused to disclose Avhat adArice the Commonwealth GoA^ernment had given to the British Government. But he added: The Australian Government, Avhile properly emphasising its special interest in the Pacific, had said nothing that would in any way prejudice a better understanding or arrangement of a non-aggression kind with Britain. Naturally the language chosen by the Prime Minister on May 23 became the subject of considerable comment. Although Mr. Menzies had not mentioned Japan, Japan Avas at once read into the utterance, and Sir Henry Gullett's different —but quite consistent —statement, cabled today, is the result. Comparing recent cautious official statements in Japan about Japanese non-commitment in Europe, and quoting remarks in similar vein made by the Japanese Consul-General in Australia, the "Sydney Morning Herald" on May 24 Seduced not only that the Menzies Government Avas anxious that Anglo-Russian diplomacy should be non-prejudicial to Japan, but also that Japan Avas calculating on such an Australian attitude having weight 'in London. In an editorial, the "Sydney Morning Herald," in a somewhat roundabout Avay, put this issue in question form: Is the Japanese attitude to be entirely dissociated from any belief that Mr. Menzies might be encouraged, in Australian representations to London, to urge that all embroiling alliances should be excluded from the Pacific—a Russian pact as well as the rival" German one? The editorial Avent on to ask Mr. Menzies and Sir Henry Gullett for a further definition of, Australia's attitude than the former's brief sentence conveyed. Sir Henry's cabled statement is evidently an attempt to meet this and similar requests. Sir Henry now says definitely that Australia supports "participation of Russia in an anti-aggression pact ensuring peace in Europe" (the italics are ours) and that the Commomvealth "will not enter into any agreement prejudicial to the interests of Japan." Nor—he is careful to add—Avill the British Government.