Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1941. JAPANESE POLICY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 April 1941, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1941. JAPANESE POLICY.

’’J’lIE success of the German drive

in the Balkans will have repercussions elsewhere, and among the nations whose policy may be affected, is Japan, with whom things have gone better lately. It is difficult to accept Mr. Matsuoka’s‘claim that the neutrality pact with Russia, was arranged casually during a te.n-minutes’ conversation. After an interval for study and reflection, diplomatic circles are not able to state what is the real value of this agreement. Mr. Cordell Hull has reiterated his opinion that! it is of not much importance, and! he should know. Meanwhile, th-ie Japanese drive against the Chinese is making progress, and the comments in the Japanese Press, wliuch is controlled by the Government, are

becoming more challenging to U.S.A, and Britain. It is known that Hitler is try- ; ing to induce the Japanese to join 1 in. the war against the Democracies, but, hitherto, his bribes, or threats, have not had much effect. There is little desire in Japan to add to present national difficulties by fighting the U.S.A., but the belief is held that, the Americans are not ready for a serious conflict, and Britain is too involved elsewhere to count much in the Pacific. The latest Press move is to induce U.S.A, to reconsider her attitude, and to come to an agreement with Japan, mainly on the latter’s terms. American opinion is that the U.S.A, navy is capable of dealing with the Japanese fleet, and that Japan’s only hope of success would be a short war, which does not appear possible. Britain is fully prepared to meet any situation which might develop in the Far. East, or in the Pacific. Japan may find herself isolated from any Axis help and surrounded by powerful opponents.

Britain has no desire to quarrel with Japan, and has gone far to meet Australian and New Zealand desires to preserve peace in the Pacific. The general Far Eastern policy of the British Government may be summarised as being to avert war with Japan, if possible; to work in close association with U.S.A.; to defend rights and territories in the Far East; and to assist the Chinese against any aggression. U.S.A, policy is practically the same, and the Dutch East Indies favours its main lines. Whether any formal pact exists between the three is unknown, but the interests of each are interwoven, and would be mutually defended. No doubt exists that the strength of the three allies lias been greatly increased of late in the Far East. Japan must realise this, as she must also know that friendship with the Democracies would bring her greater prosperity and progress, than could any co-operation with the Axis. Her aggressive policy has already cost her former valuable markets, with the consequence, coupled with the expense of the war against China, that her internal economic condition is becoming desperate; High cost of living, shortage of necessities and unemployment are causing discontent amongst the Japanese people, who have no desire to have a major Avar added to their burdens. They have no more love for the Germans than for the English-speaking races, and believe that the latter would prove to be the better friends to Japan. Any attack on Japan would find the nation united to oppose it, but there is little, support among the masses to invite a war with two Groat Powers. True, the masses do not have much say in national administration and decisions, but the merchant class does, and they realise the probable consequences of forcing an outbreak of Avar with nations able to return blow for blow. and with interest.