The Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1941. WAITING AND WATCHING.

Evening Star, Issue 24006, 3 October 1941, Page 4

The Evening Star FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1941. WAITING AND WATCHING.

Japan* joined the Axis just a year ago, and it is interesting to note the statements made in Tokio on the occasion of the anniversary. It seems clear that what the Japanese hope is that Germany will quickly defeat Russia, enabling the Nazis to turn the full weight of their military strength against Britain. One comment made was that' Japan would be considerably encouraged if Germany and Russia made a separate peace when a “ certain stage of the campaign is reached.” It is clear enough that Japan would like to go into action in support of her partners, but the need for prudence has stayed her hand. She wants to see an Axis victory well' in sight before she moves. A further consideration is the attitude of the s United States, which has made definite statements on the Far > East that were clearly a warning against the further prosecution of TokioV aggressive designs. The failure so far of the American-Japanese negotiations that have been taking place in the United States indicates that Washington’s attitude .has not been substantially altered. In the meantime Japan has her own particular troubles. Her position in China has not improved. Fierce fighting is still going on there, with no advantage to the invaders. In political circles there is evidence of tension. One report says that Prince Konoye’s Cabinet is likely to be overthrown with the return to office of Mr Matsuoka, who has the support of the extremist and aggressive elements. There is in the country a substantial body of non-militarists who are alive to the dangers that exist, but their efforts to adopt a more conciliatory attitude on international affairs is checked by the patriotic frenzy of the militarists.

When Japan lined up with the Axis the sweep of Hitler’s legions gave the impression that they were irresistible. The situation as it existed then, presented a potential danger and a “ Godsent opportunity.” The danger was that a permanent German conquest of the Netherlands, France, and Great Britain would set adrift vast territories in the pacific which Germany might claim by right of conquest, and thus spread her power to the Far East. The “God-sent opportunity,” said the Tokio correspondent of the London ‘ Times,’ was to collect all these territories under the rapidly-spreading wings of Japan and thereby realise at one grand sweep all the dreams her statesmen have dreamed through the centuries namely, Japanese domination of all Eastern Asia. To decide between these two issues was a problem for the Tokio statesmen, hut they are now faced with further difficulties arising from the continued resistance of Chiang Kaishek, the attitude of the Netherlands East Indies, and the determination of Britain and the United States to curb Japan’s ambitions. The Japanese want to see their country the heir of Great Britain, America, and other white Powers in Greater East Asia, but not at the price of national catastrophe. Japan, it is said, has “ often retreated, but never suffered an invasion or lost a war.” In the circumstances it is reasonable to suppose that she will continue her policy of watching and waiting.