BRITO-AMERICAN RELATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 28 April 1937, Page 4

BRITO-AMERICAN RELATIONS

A CABLEGRAM, printed yesterday, indicates that in Japan a shortage of raw materials is seriously crippling the nation’s industries. The reason is that the European nations’ “quasi-wartime munitions programmes” are consuming all the raw materials available, so that the Japanese are compelled to rely upon their own resources, which, if reports are correct, are distinctly limited. However, such a condition of affairs has its advantages. If Japan cannot procure plentiful supplies of raw materials she is likely to keep the peace. But if, as is inferred, the cause of her shortage is that the European Powers are buying up the world’s supplies of raw materials because they are bent on augmenting their war supplies to a fabulous extent, the outlook is distinctly depressing. If, as seems possible, Japan’s lack of raw materials will bring her warlike preparations to a halt, the United States may safely turn their attention from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, and assist Britain in exercising such influence with the European nations as may restore their tranquillity, and by encouraging reciprocal trade restore their prosperity. That seems to be the meaning of Mr Gerard’s visit to London. President Roosevelt’s envoy will represent the United States’ Government at the Coronation. He takes "a special message of goodwill from the President to the King,” and it is evident that the best of good feeling exists between the Governments of the United States and Great Britain.