JAPAN AND CHINA

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 April 1934, Page 5

JAPAN AND CHINA

MANCHUKUO SERVICES

DEMAND FOR RESTORATION

[by CABLE—PRESS ASSN.—COPYBIGHT.]

SHANGHAI, April 15

What amounts to an ultimatum has been presented to the Chinese Government, through the Japanese Minister* to China, Ariyoshi, demanding the prompt restoration of postal and railway facilities between China and Manchukuo, failing which Japan indioutes it is hex* intention to take measures, through Manchukuo, to affect a resumption of these services.

Great importance, therefore, attaches to a discussion that is now taking place at Nauchang between Chiang Kai Shek, the President of China, Wang Ching Wei, and General Huang Fu. If China accedes to these Japanese demands, and restores the services, it will be tantamount to the recognition of the new State of Manphukuo. To refuse Japan’s request will entail the risk of further* Japanese encroachment in North China.

AMERICA AND JAPAN.

NAVAL RACE FEARED. . WASHINGTON, April 15. A report on Fax* Eastern conditions was issued, to-day, by the Foreign Policy Association of the United States. It pr.edicts the end of international naval limitation, and the inauguration of a new naval race in the Pacific, unless America ami Japan modify their policies before the 1936 Naval Conference. ,

The report points out that the Washington policy as it was formerly stated by Mi* Stimson, makes the Manchukuo situation and the naval ratios inter-related, and interdependent, while Japan contends that they are issues that are separate and distinct.

The Association suggests ’-that America can ease the situation, either by accepting the de facto situation in Manchuria; granting other concessions such as that of allowing Japanese immigration into America on a quota basis, or removing the American naval bases in the Philippines. It asserts that otherwise, “Japan’s refusal to discuss Manchuria, and the insistence of the United States on the inclusion of Manchukuo in the issue, would almost certainly lead to a complete deadlock. Theoretically, the United States could attempt to challenge Japanese supremacy in Asia by threatening to expand her navy. The consequences of such a programme, however, would be incalculable. To make such a threat effective, the United States would be compelled to abrogate the Washington Agreements, and to build a navy at least twice the size of Japan’s; also to fortify her

naval bases in the Pacific. Since Japan would, also, be forced to expand her navy, the result would inevitably be a naval race, which would endanger peace in the Pacific.”