JAPAN'S POLICY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 3 May 1922, Page 3

JAPAN'S POLICY.

WORLD PEACE

REPLY TO BRITISH CRITICISM.

SYDNEY, April 14. I The Consul-General for Japan, Mr E. Suzuki, has received a cablegram from the Foreign Office, Tokio, containing an extract from an article in the Osaka Mainichi of the 7th. instant, commenting on an article which, appeared in the London Times upon the naval policy of Japan. The Mainichi says: "It seems to us that in passing criticism upon Japan's new naval policy the London Times is inclined to believe that Japan intends to take action in the Far East in violation of the canons of international morality. We wonder what the so-called new naval policy is. It is not explained in The Times editorial, nor have we heard anything of it from any other source up to date. It is generally acknowledged by those acquainted with the present state of affairs in this country , (Japan) that, since the Washington Conference, the Japanese people nave come to demand drastic reduction in armaments with such force and zeal as never before, and they have not accepted the views of the militarists. Therefore The Times allegation that Japan is yet under the dominance of the militarist party, citing the so-called naval palicy as an example, has been received by the Japanese generally with great astonishment. How faithful and loyal Japan was when the Nine-Power Treaty was formed may be inferred from the fact that, if she had not given up her policy hitherto adopted regarding China, the Treaty would probably have failed. It is a notable fact that people, both at home and abroad, united in appreciating our change of attitude towards China, which was effected by the Hara Ministry, who succeeded the Terauchi Cabinet. Moreover, since the formation of the Takahashi Cabinet, a peaceful and compromising attitude towards China has been assumed, so much so that the Cabinet has been severely,- criticised by a section of the Japanese press as having become weakened and too conciliatory."

The Mainichi asks: "Is not the smooth progress of the negotiations regarding the return of Shantung being received by the two countries and the other Powers as an illustration of the peaceful policy of Japan towards China? May we not ask upon what ground the English journal bases its suspicion of Japan's new naval scheme, and its insinuation that Japan will not hesitate. to violate the various principles laid down in the Washington Conference?"

Regarding the same matter —that is, the article in the London Times^—the Tokio Asahi of the 7th instant says: "In the opinion of The Times Japan is going to bring heavier pressure upon China for the purpose of ensuring supplies therefrom, or she may go to war with Powers with which she is now on friendly terms. The intelligent portion of the Japanese people have long deplored that militarists have been accustomed to spend national funds for augmentation of their armaments in excess of necessity, on the plea of replenishing the means of national defence. Japanese people are wide awake to the evils and horrors of war, and are unanimous in their desire to promote universal peace and the evolution of human civilisation as the objective of national aspirations. This idea had a great deal to do in affecting the psychology of our delegates at the Washington Conference, and throughout the conference the true spirit of our people was conveyed to the otliei Powers. In such circumstances it is preposterous to consider that Japan is contemplating a long war with friendly Powers in the future. It is truo that Japan did not desire the prolongation of the Alliance with Great Britain irrespective of its cost; but on the other hand she was far from abrogating it voluntarily.^ Therefore it is unthinkable that sne now aspires to contend with foreign Powers in the Pacific single-handed. Other countries apart from Japan are fully determined to uphold and observe the agreements reached at the Washington Conference to the last.

"With reference to securing ways and means for obtaining supplies from abroad, Japan has no other intention than to effect this object conformably with the established principle of mutual aid and the co-operation of mankind. How conciliatory her attitude towards China was may be seen from the smooth progress of the negotiations concerning the retrocession of Shantung. We cannot but hope that the Englißh journal will rectify the error into which it has fallen, lest the true intention of Japan should be misconstrued by the other Powers."