Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1941. CRISIS IN JAPAN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 January 1941, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1941. CRISIS IN JAPAN.

can be certain where Ja- ( panese policy is concerned, the leaders’ speeches suggesting the aim is to be all things to all nations, being everything in turn and nothing long. The Foreign Secretary (Mr. Matsuoka), for instance, when

interviewed about Japan’s Pacific designs, declared that the southward expansion would be peaceful, and that “there is no more danger of war in the Pacific to-day than before, provided none of us loses his head.” The next day, when attending the farewell to the newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador to Berlin, Mr. Matsuoka was more aggressive, and emphasised the importance of the Tripartite Pact, and the strengthening of Japanese-German friendship. Army and Navy leaders have expressed strong views against U.S.A, and Britain,, and more or less veiled threats come frequently to those opposing Japanese domination. The controlled Press stress that this year will be critical, and the nation must prepare for. all eventualities. A typical comment was that in a recent leading article in the “Kokumin,”’ which ' stated : “The Pacific will be the next.scene of a world -war, with Britain’s defeat and America’s entry into the war, which is almost certain in 1941. In that eventuality, Japan and the United States are destined to fight like Kilkenny, cats as the main forces of the belligerents.” In the U.S.A., the possibility of a conflict with Japan, is increasingly realised. Mr. Cordell Hull, in his speech to the House . Foreign Committee, this week, .referred to this danger, and again advised. Japan

that friendship with U.S.A, and Britain was in her own interests. To secure such friendship, it will be necessary for Japanese, aggression .to be considerably modified, and the great question before Japan, to-day, is whether aggression will bring greater benefits than the give-and-take co-operation offered by U.S.A, and Britain. So far, it shouldobe clear to the Japanese Government and people, that aggression does not pay. The war with China is proving ruinous, with dire effects on the standard of living in Japan, itself. This expensive venture is by no means finished, and former optimism concerning mastery of China’s resources is fast fading. This war is more and more unpopular, and the proposal of the burden being added to by a greater conflict with America and Britain —to say nothing of Russia awaiting her opportunity— is causing national alarm. The Government is holding secret conferences with influential industrial and financial groups, admitting that a grave situation is faced. A demand is growing for a change in policy based on Anglo-U.S.A. friendship, but it cannot be stated, with any certainty, how strong arc these critics. In Japan, as in most countries, appeals to patriotism confound logic. Meanwhile, Japan’s economic position goes from bad to worse. The embargoes by U.S.A, are harassing to Japan’s supplies, and desperate measures are being tried to make Japan less dependent on imports. With some goods, this is possible in time, but with important commodities, most needed for war purposes, Japan is unable to help herself much. Petro], rubber, tin, are among the essentials she must import, hence her special interest in the Dutch East Indies. Friendship with U.S.A, and Britain would remove most of Japan s difficulties in this respect. Of course, such friendship would be possible only by Japan following a policy of non-aggression, and she would not, then, need to import so much oil, rubber, and other wartime necessities. Japan must soon make her choice, and it is to be hoped that wisdom will, prevail over ambition.