The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1940 BELICOSE JAPAN

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1940, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1940 BELICOSE JAPAN

The Japanese tilt against the United States is growing more intense. There is a provoking attempt in the endeavour to find how far Japan may go in the plans for the New Asia Order, without a conflict with the United States. America has made her position fairly clear all along. She has indicated the desire to leave matters as they 'are in the Far East, and the latest act is to support China with a large loan to carry on the resistance against Japanese designs in China. This in particular has irritated tho Japanese, and hostile demonstrations and acts against America have been made in Tokio. Japan on the other hand needs supplies of essentials to maintain production in Japan. Tliees two nations rank as Great powers, and Japan with a military tenet, at present is prepared according to its military leaders to risk a breach. The United States on the other hand, while containing all the elements for a powerful development, is not in lighting trim, and this the Japanese are aware of. But the United States is rapidly remedying its weakness, and can develop into a very mighty engine of warfare. It will have also the fullest support Great Britain can give in the possible theatre of war iu the Far East. Japan is not unaware of these possibilities, and that knowledge is the real brake on the present course of events. Parleying is going on, but is not likely to reach a solution of the position at all satisfactory to Japan, which has great ambitions. The alliance with the Axis Powers has stirred up Japan, to more ambitious designs, but the practical help from Germany and Italy in a conflict could not be very great. Still. Japan appears to ignore the obvious, and proceeds along the usual lines ot attempting to grab. That policy bad a measure of success in Manchuria due to the failure of the Powers through the League of Nations, to cheek the ambitious. In the second eflort in China, the stern resistance of the Chinese has gone a long way to worst the efforts, and lias taken heavy toll on Japanese resources. I lie collapse of European nations villi possessions of great value in the Ear East, again aroused the ambitions of Japan, and patching up a policy with the European temporary victor, it was perhaps thought the possessions of France and Holland might be available lor the taking. This rash conclusion lias been doomed to disillusion, for the United States and Britain are in the way and acting practically. in consort. It is difficult for Japan at the moment to make a graceful retirement, and so there is the attempt to bluff the position out. But it is clear that if Japan goes too far, war will follow, and an outbreak with great naval powers would be serious for all concerned.