Nelson Evening mail FRIDAY, DECEMHER 17, 1937 BRITAIN’S NOTE TO JAPAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 17 December 1937, Page 4

Nelson Evening mail FRIDAY, DECEMHER 17, 1937 BRITAIN’S NOTE TO JAPAN

| I HE British Note to Japan is one of I hose documents which may be saic! lo make history, because it lays down a line ol conduct which cannot be changed without surrendering something of the prestige of llic nation which despatches it. 1 lie Japanese Government, it will be recalled, oflered profound apologies for the attacks on Sir Hughe knalchbuil - 1 lugesson (British Ambassador to China) and on ships ol the British Navy, and at the same time staled that I measures were immediately taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, and adding that those responsible would be suitably dealt with. In its carefully-written answer to that Note the British Government requires further assurances, for it concludes its reply by saying, "It is clear that steps hitherto taken by the Japanese Government to prevent such attacks have so far failed in that purpose, and His Majesty s Government must now ask to be informed that measures have actually been taken of a character which will put a definite stop to incidents of which it complains.’ Anyone who is acquainted with the language of diplomacy will recognise that the British Government, in the carefully-worded sentence quoted, has * called the Japanese Government’s bluff. For "bluff" it was to make profuse apologies without drastically punishing the culprits who had made such apologies necessary. The Government of Japan is not the authoritative body which some people may believe it to be. The constitutional form of government was adopted in Japan largely with a view to imitating the greatest nations in the world. It has never really become the deciding political factor in the country. The supreme political authority rests with the Emperor, who is advised by such members of the naval and military aristocracy as he may choose to consult, and in reality the Government: shapes its foreign policy in ac- i cordance with his decrees, and j not in accordance with the dictates of the majority in Parliament, j The British Government knows! this very well, and therefore insists upon being informed of the measures which the real rulers of the country have actually taken, or intend to take, in order to adjust a situation which has become almost intolerable. Ihe President of the United States has been even more definite, and though the British Government is naturally acting independently, it is evident that the two Governments are agreed that the time has come for bringing the political authorities in Japan to a true sense of their responsibilities, if they and their nation are to be considered civilised. It remains to be seen what response the Japanese Government will make and, more important still, what reply the Japanese Emperor will make to the American President. The British and Americans have placed the Mikado and his executive Government in a difficult position, unless they decide to act in accordance with those principles which distinguish civilisation from barbarism.