JAPAN’S AMBITION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 57, 19 February 1935, Page 5

JAPAN’S AMBITION

ANNEXATION OF CHINA Why She Denounces Treaties OTHER POWERS SHOULD ACT (By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright.) (Received 19, 11.10 a,m.) LONDON, Feb. 18. “Japan hopes to face the world with a fait accompli in China analogous to that accomplished in Manchukuo on the expiry of the two years’ notice of denunciation of the "Washington Treaty,” says Lord Lothian in a letter to “The Times.” “Japan is tearing up the Washington Treaties,” said Lord Lothian, “and nullifying the integrity of China as an open door under the Nine-Power Treaty. China does not want Japan to absorb her but desires to stand or, her own legs without foreign control. The British Empire, the United States, France and Russia can more effectively help her than can the Japanese. “I urge Britain, without awaiting the arrival of the Empire Prime Ministers, to mobilise the other Nine-Power Treaty signatories to decide whether Japan is to be allowed to repeat in China on a gigantic scale tho whole policy of veiled annexation already carried out in Manchukuo.” The Foreign Office says that, it is

watching tho position closely. A NiuePower meeting at present is not contemplated. The authorities admit that tho situation is interesting, but there is a tendency to regard Lord Lothian ns slightly pessimistic.

Dispatches which so far have reach i’d Whitehall in connection with Sino

Japanese conversations do not carry the position as far as Lord Lothian. Nevertheless, Britain clearly shares Genera] Smuts’s and Lord Lothian’s beliefs that the situation in the Pacific is becoming dangerous. The Japanese are flouting the “open door,” but British policy in the Far East is most indefinite. There Is the strongest desire to retain Japanese friendship.

Simultaneously there is the realisation that Japanese activities challenge al! Western interests.