AIMS OF JAPANESE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1937, Page 7

AIMS OF JAPANESE

SPECULATION ON EVENTS. LONDON, August 20. Tlie diplomatic correspondent of the ■Manchester Guardian says that sonic experienced observers are of opinion that if the Japanese are sufficiently successful against the Chinese in the next few weeks and the weather remains favourable they will extend their operations to involve Soviet Russia. Military experts, the newspaper says, attach the greatest importance, not only to the Tokio-Berlin entente, hut to the possibility of an understanding

between I okio and Rome. The theory is that Italy would immobilise the British forces in the Mediterranean and the Near Last, and Germany would strike in the direction of Russia by combined military and naval operations against the Baltic States, In Berlin and J'okio it :s believed that the Red Army has been disorganised by the recent mass executions. Japan is also encouraged by the apparent passivity of the United States, and she contemplates striking northwards, to isolate the Amur province, with the object, ultimately, of pushing hack the Russian frontier, capturing Vladivostock, and removing the air menace to Japanese cities.