JAPAN'S POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24000, 25 June 1941, Page 7

JAPAN'S POLICY

WIDE SPECULATION

SPREAD OF THE WAR

TOKIO I'RF.SS OPINIONS

(Herd. 11.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, .Time 21

Japan's policy on the Russo(lerman war will lie announced on Wednesday, says the Tokio correspondent of the New York Times. The spokesman of the Cabinet Information Bureau, Viscount Tshii. today said Japan intends to fulfil her treaty obligations to both (!crmanv and Russia.

Japan is continuing negotiations with Russia regarding the fishing treaty and the demarcation of the Manchukuo border.

The Gorman Ambassador to Japan, General Ott, is having long talks with the Japanese Foreign Minister, ]\lr. Matsuoka, and is working hard to obtain Japan's help against Russia. Conferences have been held between the Cabinet and the High Command. "More Serious Situation" The Tokio newspaper Asahi says the reasons for Germany's attack on Russia are not clear, hut whatever the reasons may lie Japan is facing a more serious situation. Bluntly warning its readers that Rosso-German hostilities make it virtually impossible to keep the European war from spreading throughout the world, the Niehi Xichi advocates a firm foreign policy for Japan, with full cognisance of the important effects oi tin' situation on Fast Asia. The Prime Minister, Prince Konove. and Wang Ching-wei, head of the puppet Government in Nanking, in a joint statement, pledged themselves to collaborate to eradicate the evils of Communist aggression and establish a "new order" in Kast Asia. It is reported from Shanghai that the Asama Maru is making an emcrgencv trip to Bafavia to evacuate Japanese women and children, and also German nationals, to Japan. Worries for Japanese High circles in Washington hope thai the Russo-German clash may lead to a new policy by Japan, according to a New York Times observer, who adds: "It is hoped that Japan not only will break her Axis ties in the near future, but actually will turn about and oppose Germany in the war. "While this, superficially, appears fantastic, it comes from the same sources which a week ago reported that Russia and Germany were near a break. "Reasons expressed for the hope are that many influential Japanese are now convinced that Germany seeks world conquest. They are worried by the manner in which Germany has taken over Italy, the other Axis partner, and attacked Russia, with whom there was a non-aggression treaty. Hints of a Change "There is reason to believe that the United States Government has been pointing out that, while the RussoGerman • war might give Japan some temporary advantages, in the long run Germany would he as much a menace to Japan as to any other country and that Hitler seems particularly dangerous to his allies." Diplomatic commentators in Tokio are sharply divided. One school considers the Tripartite Pact a failure and sees the German shadow lengthening toward the Kast. Therefore it hints at a drastic change in Japan's foreign policy, and a possible rapprochement with Britain and America. The Manchester Guardian in a leading article, points out that if Japan aids Germany she might conquer Vladivostok, plus an unattractive coastal strip, but this would not help her achieve her major ambitions, which lie southward, iu British, French, Dutch, and American territories. "Nothing to Gain" Mr. Vernon Bartlelt, M.L\, writing in the \. ws Chronicle, expresses the opinion that Japan will gain nothing by attacking Russiii. He adds: "More probably Japan will be tempted to move against the Fast Indies, but this would only hasten American intervention."

Ihe political correspondent of the Daily P. x press says: "Hitler hopes that the remo\ a I ol the fear ol Russia, mav strengthen Japan, whose war-fever has cooled off recently, causing doubts whether Germany could relv on Japanese help in the event of America entering the war.

"It is significant that Japanese utterances remain objective. For instance, -Mr. Shigenori Togo, former Ambassador to Russia, commented, 'Russia has a great army. Jt is impossible to predict the outcome. Germany may occupy .Moscow and the Ukraine, but this will not decide the war."