THAILAND THE TOUCHSTONE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24040, 11 August 1941, Page 6

THAILAND THE TOUCHSTONE

Many signs support the unofficial views expressed in both New York and Tokio that Thailand has become the touchstone of war or peace in the Far East, just as Poland became the touchstone in the West. A point is inevitably reached in the advance of an aggressor at which peaceful nations can no longer stand aside. They are compelled to resist in common self-defence. The Entente and their Allies looked on when Germany reintroduced conscription in 1935, reoccupied the Rhineland militarily in 1936, annexed Austria in March of 1938, and absorbed the "Sudetenland" in October of the same year. But the rape of Prague less than six months later brought them to the stickingpoint and within a fortnight the Entente guarantees were given to Poland. She became the touchstone. Japan has been following the path of aggression for longer than Germany and has travelled a long way. The rake's progress began in Manchuria in 1931, followed by Jehol, Inner Mongolia, North China, Central China, South China, Hainan, North Indo-China, and South Indo-

China, with excursions to take in island groups like the Paracels and Spratlevs. Japan's arrival at Saigon the other day seems to have had the same hardening effect on the democracies as had the German descent on Prague in 1939. Apart from the economic sanctions imposed on Japan, Britain and America have left Tokio in no doubt as to their vital interest in Thailand. Last week Mr. Eden and Mr. Hull synchronised their warning statements, a coincidence that would not be lost on Tokio. Now they are reinforced by the sober announcements of preparedness made by the Australian Minister of External Affairs and the New Zealand Prime Minister. At the same time comes an official voice from Thailand, declaring that country's resolve to resist any aggressor.