NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16621, 18 August 1917, Page 6

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

JAPAN AND CHINA.

Tnß policy of Japan in relation to China is reviewed by Dr.' J. Ingram Bryan, of Tokio, in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald. He states that Japan expected this war to give her the opportunity of settling once and for all the question of China, an opportunity for which she has long been waiting. To Japan that question is infinitely more than it appears to be in the sight of any Western nation. To Japan the China question simply resolves itself into whether she or some Western nation, or nations, is to be paramount in China. Not that Japan particularly desires the over mastery of China; but she is determined that no other nation shall have the opportunity of menacing her destiny rough control of China. This question she wishes now to settle definitely in her own favour . Every move that menaces he prestige that Japan is trying to build up m China , 3 gravely resented in Japan Japan holds, and holds intensely, that her own independence lies wholly in her ability to keep China free from the overlordship of occidental nations. Any incident or policy that tends to throw China m with Western nations as against Japan, or that gives China a chance to set Japan at naught, the latter must do all m her power to subvert. In fact there is nothing that would cause Japan to draw the sword quicker than an attempt to challenge her right to insistence on this policy in China.

MISSION TO AMERICA. A Japanese diplomatic mission, headed by Viscount Ishii, has arrived at a Pacific port on its way to Washington. The appointment of this commission was one /of the first acts of the Advisory Board set up by the Japanese Government. The head of the commission, Viscount Ishii, was Minister for Foreign Affairs in the last Cabinet. The fact that an opponent of the present Cabinet has been appointed to bo important a position proves that

the. new Diplomatic Advisory Board is independent of party politics and more concerned with talent and experience than with partisanship. Viscount Ishii was at one time secretary to the Japanese Embassy at Washington, and was a member of the commission sent to America to settle the San Francisco school dispute. Four members of the commission are naval and military officers. Vice-Admiral Takeshita is regarded as one of the bestinformed officers on American affairs and as a suitable person on a commission that is expected to discuss the future of relations between Japan and America on the Pacific and Japan's future in the South Seas, as well as in China. The army is represented by Major-General Sugano and Major Tanikawa. Mr. Nagai, secretary of the Tokio Foreign Office, and Mr. lami, a consular official, complete the number. The personnel of the commission is equal to that of the commission appointed to confer with Russia at Portsmouth; and the results of its conferences in Washington are expected to be equally important. It is openly asserted in Tokio that the commission will ask America to give assurance with respect to Japan's policy in China, giving formal recognition of Japan's prestige in | that country, which, it is said, has already been given by the other allies. Marquis Okuma recently stated that he is confident its visit to America will improve relations between Japan and that country by clearing away any misunderstanding as to Japan's policy in China.

ECONOMY IN CANADA. An appeal was rcently issued by the Canadian Food Controller, Mr. W. J. Hanna, for economy in food. The consumption of wheat, beef and bacon in the Dominion must be reduced by at least onethird to meet the needs of the allied armies and people, he stated. Every man, woman and child in Canada is under a direct war obligation to assist in that reduction. The consumption of flour in England and France is being reduced to between three and four pounds a person per week. Canada and the United States must reduce their normal consumption of wheat by 160,000,000 bushels this year to meet the added requirements for export. Russia has been enduring four meatless days a week. Householders in England are under voluntary obligations to limit their consumption of meat to 2ilb a person each week. The allies look to Canada to relievo their food shortage. Both the producer and the consumer must assist to give that relief. The producer by producing and conserving to the utmost of bis capacity and the consumer by substituting perishables, and conserving storeable foods for export. By such joint action the soldiers of Canada, the Empire and the allies would be strengthened in the struggle for victory. Economy in the use of foodstuffs, particularly of wheat, bacon and beef, is imperative. Waste in the hotels, restaurants, clubs, and homes of the Dominion is a crime.