AELSON EVENING MAIL FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1934 JAPAN’S PRETENSIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 20 April 1934, Page 4

AELSON EVENING MAIL FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1934 JAPAN’S PRETENSIONS

THE latest pronouncement of the Japanese Government would seem to mean that it constitutes itself the chief, if not the sole, protector of China: We don’t want the peace in the Far East disturbed by foreign Powers. . . . We shall decide what constitutes disturbance, and act accordingly, as we are ill a position to do. , . . We are in a position to maintain peace, and may act when circumstances warrant • • • •

If the l.eague of Nations interferes, it might necessitate our action. Military advisers, munitions, and possibly railway and air force schemes are objec-

tionable. Anyone not knowing- the facts would think that China is a Japanese province, and subject to the Emperor of Japan. But when this strange outburst is examined in all its bearings, it would seem that, arrogant as the announcement is in word and in spirit, it is directed not to the British Empire, but primarily to the United States, and may be considered to be Japan’s reaction to the Report of the Foreign Policy Association of that country, published a few days ago. That Report appeared to indicate the Americans’ reluctance to involve themselves in tite complications of the Far East, but at the same time left no doubt that in certain circumstances they wonld be prepared to try conclusions with any Power which might- try to dominate the Pacific, and place China in a position of surveillance. No one can doubt that that is what the Japanese Government proposes to do, for it assumes a tone which indicates clearly that it constitutes itself China’s guardian, if not its ruler. In the past the United States have been inclined to assume towards China a position resembling guardianship, and it was generally recognised that, if any nation were to infringe China’s territorial and political rights, the American Government would take an extremely serious view of such action. Japan’s occupation of Manchuria followed, and the contingent clashes of Chinese and Japanese forces in the vicinity of Shanghai. The Americans did not interfere, and seemed inclined to let the League of Nations “pull Hie chestnuts out of the fire.” Then, it will be remembered, there followed the l.ytton Report (made at the injunction of the League) which condemned Japan' s action on the mainland of Asia generally. Furthermore, the Report was endorsed by the League and approved by rile United States, and as a result Japan retired from tile League. But that did not in any way alter her policy in relation to China. She proceeded to occupy Manchuria-, which she formed into an independent kingdom, in possession of which she placed her nominee, the exiled ex-Emperor of China, whom she lias now proclaimed Emperor of Manchuria. Her policy towards China seems well enough defined. It is to exclude, all foreign polities! influence from that country, and become herself responsible for the maintenance of good order and government there, having in view possibly the reconstruction of the Chinese Empire with tiie Japanese Emperor, or the Emperor of Manchuria, as its ruler.

The recent pronouncement of the Japanese Government constitutes a direct challenge to all those Powers which have assumed responsibility for the territorial integrity and tbe political independence of China. There are nearly a dozen of them, and it! will be interesting to hear what, they will say, when they rnfilise that Japan has constituted herself the sole guardian and protector of China. Her challenge is primarily to America, though practically all the civilised Powers are involved. “If the League of Nations interferes, it might necessitate our action,” seems to contain a threat, and it will be an extraordinary thing if both the United States

and the League endorse Japan’s claim to be tlie primary, if not the sole, guardian of China. Possibly the announcement of tlie Japanese Government may subsequently ho modified considerably. Explanations may he forthcoming, with a view to correcting the very bad impression which the original announcement wili make in all those, countries which are guarantors of China’s independence. Japan can gain nothing by affronting the world a second time. She lost much of her reputation when she left the League and proceeded to dismember China, whose .protector she now constitutes herself. She could not fight the world. She could not long survive an economic blockade by the principal nations. They are in a position “to call her bluff,” and it will he interesting to see if they will do so.