The Gisborne Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1934. A NEW THREAT TO PEACE IN THE FAR EAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12398, 10 November 1934, Page 4

The Gisborne Times SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1934. A NEW THREAT TO PEACE IN THE FAR EAST.

There is much below the surface in connection witli the-‘latest-threat of' trouble, in the Far East over the oil monopoly which Maiichtikuo aims at establishing at the' behest of; japan. From all. accounts Japan hhs- secured the predominant interests ■ in the Manchurian oil; rights; 'and, under her aegis, Manchulcuo has adopted the principle of State control rover ; the' industry. ,lu turn, 'Britain' and the. United' States; which’ had- gained oil concessions before Mauchukuo hivedoff from China, have made appro-' priate iepresentations~not to Manchukuo, but to. Japan, Seemingly, the United States authorities are much more concerned- in - respect ■ of the matter than the British Government and this state of affairs is explained by the British Trade Mission to Manchukuo' which reports thatthat British oil interests there are so' well entrenched that they can lookafter themselves. In short, Japan-' now pertly says that, if Western nations arc still content to regard Manchukuo as part of China, .they: should address any representations which they desire to make on the matter to the Chinese Government at Nanking. -■ Under the Nine-Power Ti’oaty with China Japan is/ Of course, one of the signatories‘to the pact that the “open door” polity shall apply in the case - of ■ China. The question is, therefore, revived: “Is, or is not, Manchukuo to-day a: part of China?” On her part, Japan: alone adopts the attitude that Manchukuo is an-independent State,and adds that, such being the case, Manchukuo may, if she pleases, adopt a 1 “closed door” policy. against all foreign nations, including herself. The fact remains, however, that Japan is hand in glove with Manchukuo, whose Government is establishing State control of the oil industry, with special concessions only to the Japanese. In well-informed circles, it is held that Japan wishes to use the oil monopoly in Manchulcuo as a lever to compel the Powers to recognise Manchukuo’s independence. If the Powers would accede, Japan, it is said, would not persist in her decision to withdraw from the League of Nations. In this connection,- what may bo recalled is that, in February, 1933, the members of . the League, apart from Japan, pledged themselves “not to take isolated action regarding recognition of Manchukuo.” Russia, which has lately linked up with the League, may- not feel that she is bound by the resolution to which reference has been made. If Russia were to afford recognition to Manchukuo it would only add to the complications which characterise the present situation, for her action might force tlie hands of oilier nations and. as a- consequence,- China might feel compelled to withdraw from the League. Although the United States is much alarmed over the resuscitation of rumors that Britain and Japan intend ,to enter upon a new alliance, the report is not likely to prove well-founded. Taking everything into consideration, it is difficult to believe that the Powers, . other than Japan, will dream of deserting China. It was, however, a great mistake on their part not to have given China firm support when Japan induced Manchukuo to become what- amounts to.a puppet State. _