The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES” GISBORNE, SATURDAY, NOV. 22, 1941. JAPAN STILL PAUSES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20620, 22 November 1941, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES” GISBORNE, SATURDAY, NOV. 22, 1941. JAPAN STILL PAUSES

The Japanese Diet has adjourned its special' session without, so far as has been disclosed, accomplishing anything. In the last day or two reports of its deliberations have been obscured by the more sensational news from the Middle East, and in the earlier part of the week prospects of war in the Far East failed to hold as much attention as the actual military operations in Russia.# These widelyseparated events, however, are all closely linked in current world affairs and developments in one sphere inevitably have their repercussions in others. The more the situation in Japan is studied, the more certain does it seem that that country has been sorely misled by its partners in the Axis. All the indications are that the meeting of the Diet was intended to synchronise with the capture of Moscow by the Germans and to terminate with a Japanese declaration of war. The stage was well set. It could have been explained that the special envoy to the United States had made every endeavour to preserve the peace but had been thwarted by American obstinacy. The expected reverse for the Allies would have suggested the possibility of their declining further commitments, and the situation as a whole would have appeared to offer Japan the favourable opportunity for which she has been patiently waiting. Once again, however, the Axis programme has been upset. Moscow did not fall and, at the moment, gives no indication of falling. On this score alone, therefore, the time does not seem to be propitious for a Japanese move. This is not the only factor in the situation. While the Diet was patiently awaiting developments in Russia and using the time in futile discussion, the Allied offensive in Libya was launched. Libya is seemingly a long way from the Far East, but the events are not unconnected. Under the most favourable circumstances, Japan would have a difficult task ahead were she to challenge the United States and Britain—not to mention China, Russia, the Dutch East Indies, and the British Dominions—in the Pacific. Favourable circumstances would include a critical situation for the Russians, the British Navy fully employed in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and doubts about Anglo-American co-operation. Hardly one of these conditions exists.. The situation in Russia is still critical, but not more so than before; the British Navy is to receive still more assistance in the Atlantic, and has good prospects of increasing its hold in the Mediterranean; and collaboration between Britain and the United ( States is closer than ever before. In all these circumstances, Japan has done well to hesitate once again.

A former Minister told the Diet that Japan must strike when the iron is hot. The trouble is that the iron never seems to get more than luke-warm. Opportunity more than once has approached the door but always seems to hesitate when on the point of knocking. The result is that the extraordinary session of the Diet on which, according to the Prime Minister, “world attention was closely focussed,” was little more than a fiasco. The Plouse passed a resolution supporting the co-prosperity sphere plan, without defining what that plan was, and accusing the United States of being responsible for the failure to settle the China affair. These things do not require discussing afresh, for they are obviously meahingless and part of the old game of playing for time. It is becoming more and more apparent, however, that time is not working in Japan’s favour. The situation in China is becoming increasingly difficult and the blockade is slowly strangling Japan’s economic life. Even more serious are the

indications of discontent in her own ranks and the difficulty of securing unanimity on any particular line of action. Because of all this uncertainty it has been decided to adjourn the Diet and to call another extraordinary session when, or if, the international situation becomes more clarified.

If there is uncertainty in Japan, however, the attitude of the Powers opposed to her is becoming plainer than ever, it is clear that Mr. Kurusu received no concessions, and scant sympathy, from Washington. The demands which, he presented were laughed to scorn, in their place the United States has presented its own terms for a settlement of the Far Eastern crisis. These are plain and understandable. Japan is to leave the Axis, to renounce further aggression, to withdraw from China and IndoChina, and to permit equal trading rights for all nations in the Pacific. In other words, she is to abandon the whole of the policy to which she has been committed. It may seem to be asking a great deal of such a proud race, but what is the alternative? Either Japan must be prepared to stake everything on a war with the United States and Britain or else submit to slow economic strangulation. The choice is not a pleasant one, but Japan has brought the position on herself. The democracies have laid down certain clearly-defined principles for the future conduct of international relations. There is to be an end to aggression and oppression and equal trading rights for all. There is to be no backing down. Japan can either subscribe to these piinciples and abide by them or else be prepared to fight for a policy of her own.