THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS MONDAY, JULY 23, 1934 JAPAN AND PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21859, 23 July 1934, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS MONDAY, JULY 23, 1934 JAPAN AND PEACE

Of considerable* interest, to this part of the world as to every other, is the statement issued by the Prime Minister of Japan outlining his Cabinet's policy. It confirm's the expectation raised by the fact that prior to his recent accession of office he had established a reputation for moderate views on international affairs. As an eminent naval man, no less capable in administration than in command, he naturally emphasises the importance of national defence. It would be strange if, in the present disturbed condition of thought on disarmament, he took any other course. But he cannot be reasonably charged with bellicose intention, nor is it likely that a Government dominated by his opinion on such things will engage provocatively in naval construction. His influence was a useful factor in promoting the London Treaty, which with all its manifest defects was an attempt to reach agreement on limitation. In particular it produced the plan of a further, conference in 1935, and from his present statement can be deduced a readiness to participate sincerely in discussions then. How far he will go in the direction taken by the proposers of a new naval policy announced last week cannot yet be said; That policy could then •be read as opposed to international reciprocity; it depicted a Japan bent on going alone, regardless of past understandings and future projects of an international kind, and it apparently had strong technical and official support. But it was realised at the time that little, if anything, might really be meant beyond a determination to maintain Japanese naval strength in the East and the tropical region of the Pacific, at the dictates of national necessity ; and in the authoritative announcement now made is some warrant for this interpretation. This is not necessarily inconsistent with the undertaking of obligations wider than that necessity, and the explicit assurance now given that Japan will take part in the forthcoming conference is a promise that these obligations will at least be faced. In other words, Japan is not closing her ears to the calls of international duty, although she is set on speaking firmly about her own needs and desires. By the time the preliminaries of the conference are settled—in October next—the measure of her intended co-operation will be more easily gauged.

In the meantime full weight can be given to her Prime Minister's utterance of a wish to promote peace and friendship in the world, "while fulfilling the Empire's mission." Japan, it should be remembered, has much to gain from the maintenance of concord. Significant in the statement now issued is the promise of an endeavour to balance the Budget and to promote industry and commerce. Closely related to this endeavour is a necessity to keep on . good terms with other nations. A commonplace of current facts is the thoroughness of Japanese planning to win a spacious place in international trade. This planning, \?hich has achieved so remarkable a success ais to cause perturbation in many "countries commercially much older, is more the outcome of need than of mere ambition. It has succeeded, in large part, by reason of a relatively low rate of operatives' wages—not so absolutely low a rate, however, as is sometimes said—aided by a depreciated currency ; but much is due to efficiency of management and marketing. Behind all is a driving impulse to sustain a population having inadequately at . hand the means of subsistence. Agricultural resources are severely limited, and manufacturing industries are greatly dependent on the importation of raw materials. In the expansion accomplished by the acquisition of Korea and in the policy pursued in relation to Manchuria is to be seen the necessity for two-way trade with outside regions: the expansion is motived as mUcli. by desire for commercial control as by need of foothold for surplus population. Yet the fie|d offered by adjacent parts of Asia has. limits, and profitable contacts with the wider world are com pulsorily deemed essential to prosperity at home. Considerations of external trade are thus bound to play a leading part in national policy, and these in turn prompt fi keeping of the peace. Threatened by a serious budgetary position and a problem of unemployment, the Government, must needs strive to be on good terms with ihe foreigner.

At the same time, as is evident in Japan's attitude to the League, emphasis is being laid on the national rights that go with sove reignty. The national claims, says the Prime Minister, will be pressed, "by fair and adequate means," at the naval conference next, year, and he makes particular reference to relations with Manchukuo as "an epochal factor in strengthening peace in East Asia." Peace will not be sought by any self-forgetful sub-

inission to foreign demands. What is thus intended can be readily understood ; even if, in certain details, it inay encounter protests from China, Russia, other nations and the League, it must 1 be acknowledged as a subject for patient and tolerant discussion. Japan may have been seriously wrong in certain methods of acquiring advantage, but that the policy of influence in Manchuria has been prompted by national necessity cannot be denied without ignoring salient facts. " The history of the region reveals a steady Russian penetration inimical to China no less than to Japan, arid this penetration had gone to unconscionable lengths before the Japanese intervened and obtained treaty rights with the aid of Western nations. By the creation of Manchukuo, a buffer-State ' has been provided against renewed Russian encroachment, and the Japanese Prime Minister's description of the position as strengthening peace in the East is warranted, China has long been unable to supply this barrier. So long as Japan's policy be one in accord with the present statement —aiming at peace by co-opera-tive means —the outcome need not be feared, and a crucial test of thfe good faith of this policy will be provided at the conference.