The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, August 2, 1940. JAPAN’S NEW POLICY.

Grey River Argus, 2 August 1940, Page 6

The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, August 2, 1940. JAPAN’S NEW POLICY.

The new Japanese Government of Prince Konoye, which 1 announces that it has the support of the Army and Navy, lias just announced a new foreign policy. It does not appear, to the outsider, so very new, except that the. “New Order” and the “Greater Eastern Asia” have at least, economically been extended, in principle, to both Indo-China and the Dutch East Indies, both of which are colonies of countries which have come under German occupation. As against the apparent, significance of this extension, the policy of Japan remains professedly one of non-involvement in the ' European conflict. The Foreign Minister yesterday Indeed refrained pointedly in his statement of policy from any other comment upon Europe than the generalisation that the world has come to a new epoch, with changes imminent of historical gravity, Io which Japan must adapt herself. The adaptation is to be the consolidation of a politico-economic, bloc embracing Japan, China and Mauchukuo, with Japan as tlie cornerstone, and with Indo-China and. the East Indies commercially linked with it. This latter may now be fairly' regarded as a definition of the “Southward movement,” though it may eventually relate also to other islands. Insofar as it comes when Britain is engaged in a life-and-death grapple with,. Germany, the new Japanese policy orientation might for this country’ and especially' Australia seem to be something of a threat. Unless, however, there should be an endeavour to thwart the “New Order” in the Asiatic sphere, no real threat need be apprehended. There is the superficial indication of strain and opposition as between

America and Japan, the oil embargo just declared by- President Roosevelt having been described by the Japanese Foreign spokesman as an “unfriendly act.’’ On the other hand, the United States relates the ban to the policy of solidarity in the Western Hemisphere, stating Europe comes equally under the prohibition oi exportation of American petrol. The effect on Japan could meantime be no more than a. handicap on her prosecution of the “China affair,’’ the finalising of which is her main aim. With an eye to the European crisis, America, however, may fee! that she can go no further than this gesture in opposing what she regards as aggression in tin* Far East. It. suggests that, rather tl|aii a check, the Americans, like the British, are disposed to compro ijnisc.' As a matter of ■ fact, America has only come to a realisation, through the German onset, that she is quite unprepared for war, and, on top of aid in aircraft and munitions for Britain, has a big job ahead in organising her armaments to bring them to a parity with more than one other Foreign Power. The President now; says compulsory service for home defence is advisable, while an Army head advocates conscription as a matter of policy. In the light of this situation, as also of Britain’s present preoccupation, and of the strong probability that her navy can be no longer regarded as our main safeguard, Australia is disposed to concentrate attention on the prospect of peril. She is to spend in a couple of years nearly five hundred millions on defence, and to maintain a large force. It certainly is not now for either Dominion to take risks which need not be taken, and whatever the demands for oversea service. New Zealand must bargain for the future to maintain very much greater defences —military, naval and aerial—-than she was contented with so long as the British Navy was regarded as equal to every eventuality. Yet it would be suicidal to make an enemy of Japan merely out of anxiety. It is not necessary either, to take up an attitude of hostility, or tc. regard a conciliatory policy as one of “appeasement.’’ Nearly the first thing done by Japan's new Prime Minister, Prince Ko noye, was to send Australia a most-friendly message. Australia has a big stake in her trade with Japan, and it must become far bigger still. New Zealand also must yet trade with the Far East on a greater scale. ..The people must adjust their ideas to a great change which is inevitable, one which is to make Tokio a centre of far greater importance to the Pacific than seemed likely only a few years ago. It will be advanteageous to develop sensibly commercial relations with Japan, while at the same time leaving nothing undone to assure our own stability and defence, alike by increasing the : population, and training forties, and providing adequate armaments. The European issue overshadows others to-day, but in the Pacific changes now occurring in Eastern Asia will be a great is- ■ sue to-morrow.