JAPANESE AIMS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 304, 21 November 1935, Page 9

JAPANESE AIMS

IN NORTHERN CHINA. BRITAIN KEEPING OUT. INFLUENCE OF GOODWILL. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received November 21, 10.20 a.in. LONDON, Nov. 20. The Sun-Herald Service understands that Britain is not likely to interfere in Japan’s latest expansionist aims in China, and that the recent Australian and Japanese efforts at goodwill have influenced British policy. Britain certainly will not embarrass Australia, and will avoid complications in the Far East likely to entangle herself, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and ( Malaya. Britain’s passiviiy is supported by the Government newspapers, which declare it is far better for Japan to bo busily engaged in her own neighbourhood than farther afield. The Radical newspapers, however, demand British intervention. The News-Chronicle says: Once again Japan’s bloodstained sword is raised and another big slice will soon be carved from China’s mutilated body. China •will probably bow to the threat of force. Britain’s past policy, coupled with Japan’s careful choice of the moment, renders British action impossible. The Daily Express says: Japan is laying the plan of a new world. The yellow men will dominate this scheme. They will first master China, then cast their mantle over all Asia, and then conquer the whites until they become the lords of the earth —as least according to their plan I It is reported from Pekin that the declaration of independence of the northern provinces has boen indefinitely postponed following a message from the Nanking Central Government that it is negotiating direct with the Japanese Ambassador. CONFUSED SITUATION. ARTICLE 16 NOT INVOKED. Received November 21, 11.10 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 20. A Sun-Herald service message says the latest advices in official quarters show that the Sino-Japanese situation is most confused. It was first anticipated that five provinces would secede, but it is now doubtful whether three are agreeable, in which case fighting is possible. The British attitude in reply to the Radical newspapers’ advocacy of extreme action at present coincides with its policy in connection with Manchukuo, namely the dispute is entirely different from the Italo-Abyssinian affair. China has not appealed under Article 16, consequently the Covenant is not invoked. THE PROPOSED FEDERATION. VIRTUALLY DECIDED UPON. (Times Cables.) LONDON, Nov. 19. The Pekin correspondent of the Times says that the Chinese leaders at Pekin have virtually decided to declare an autonomous regime in North China in the next few days. According to the latest reports it will comprise a loose federation of five provinces—Hopei, Shantung, Shansi, Chahar and Suiyuan —three special municipal areas —Pekin, Tientsin and Tsingtao—and possibly also a sixth province composed of demilitarised portions of Hopei and Chahar. The proposed name of the chief organ of the federation, to be situated at Pekin, the “North China AntiCommunist Self-Governing Council of the Republic of China,” suggests the line the Japanese propose to take to justify the support of .the new administration.